An Easier Way to Install the JF506E Valve Body
Installing the JF506E valve body can be a challenge with the unit on the bench. Trying to install the valve body with the unit in the car is difficult not only because you cannot see the manual valve where it fits into the linkage but also because any sideways movement can damage the gasket.
There are two different manual valves, one for Mazda only and a shorter manual valve for Jaguar, Land Rover and Volkswagen. The valves are the same except the end is longer after the last land on the Mazda valve (Figure 1).
Cooling Off the Pre-heater and After-Glow
The Isuzu/GMC Forward Tiltmaster truck (otherwise known as the NPR/W4/4000) with a diesel engine and the JF506E transmission has a setup for recovering engine coolant that has been known to cause hard starting or a no-start condition. And it always seems to become a problem after the transmission needs repair; at least, that is what the customer says until you finally figure out what is the real cause of the problem.
Exploring the Globally Diverse JF506E
In today’s global economy, manufacturers of all types of goods are looking into joint ventures with other global partners. In the past the transmission industry has had dealings in this global marketplace. Ford and GM have been using and continue to use ZF Industries to provide medium-duty manual transmissions for its pickup trucks. ZF automatic transmissions are now finding their way into a growing number of non-German vehicles.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
The recent JATCO five-speed automatic transaxle shown in Figure 1 can be found in a variety of vehicles. In the Mazda6 and MPV it is known as the JA5A-EL; in the Jaguar X type it is known as the JF506E; in the VW Golf, GTI and Jetta it is known as the 09A; and in the Land Rover Freelander it is called the JF506E as in Jaguar vehicles.
