Deceived
One step many technicians take in diagnosing transmissions that have electronically controlled line-rise problems is to unplug the pressure-control solenoid. If the solenoid, pressure-regulator valve and pump are in good working order, line pressure will rise to about 150 to 170 psi at 1,000 rpm in Park. If it rose to only 80-90 psi or didn’t rise at all, this would indicate that a problem existed inside the transmission.
Now, That’s Odd!
We had such a case just recently. We field many calls regarding the Hyundai and Mitsubishi F4A40/50 series transmission. Usual complaints on this unit are that it’s in failsafe or there’s a 2-3 shift flare. But on one particular day, we received three tech calls in a row with an out-of-the-ordinary problem. Two were regarding a 2001 Dodge Stratus with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine, the other a 2002 Chrysler Sebring with the same 3.0-liter V-6 engine.
The Trooper Blues
The description for code 37 says this “serial line” is the wire that is connected from the transmission control module to the engine control module and the diagnostic connector. This wire is used for torque management. How it works: The TCM delivers a spark-advance signal to the ECM during each shift, through this serial line, to reduce engagement shock. Any interruptions, shorts or opens on this line will set a code 37.
Another Cross-Connect Scenario
1998 to 2000 Kia Sportage and Sephia have the idle-air-control valve and the throttle-position sensor relatively close to each other. Figures 1 and 2 show the setup in the Sephia, which is similar to that in the Sportage.
On-the-Road Diagnosis
The car in Figure 1 is a 2000 BMW 528i that had been to a couple of transmission shops before I got to it. The complaint was that the transmission was in failsafe mode. The car started and moved but would not upshift. The other shops also said they could not communicate with the transmission EGS module.
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.
Point of Vue
I happened to be looking through some newly received factory bulletins from GM and came across an interesting one concerning the Saturn Vue and Ion. These models that are equipped with the AF33/23-5 five speed automatic have been around since 2002.
False Pretenses
A 2002 Ford Explorer with a 5R55W transmission came into a shop with a complaint of no 2nd or 5th gear. Gear-ratio-error codes P0732 and P0735 were stored, but so was code P0775, indicating a problem with pressure-control solenoid B.
We all know what gear-ratio-error codes are all about by now, but that P0775 code – that’s a humdinger.
P1870 Revisited
Just when you thought you had all the P1870 torque-converter-clutch slip codes under your belt, another vehicle comes along – and here we go again!
VW Controller Concerns
A 1999 VW Passat came to our shop. The customer said the car did not feel right sometimes. He left the vehicle for us to check out. Upon going on a road test, we noticed the Check Engine light on, wrong-gear starts and gear-shift indicator lights not functioning properly.
Mitsubishi/Hyundai F4A41/42/51
Misassembly of the low/reverse and/or second-brake clutch packs in Mitsubishi’s F4A40 and 50 series transaxles can occur easily. Especially if you are the individual who answers phones, makes parts orders, road-tests vehicles, handles problems under the lift and rebuilds transmissions, all in a day’s work. And when a misassembly takes place, the transmission may slip through second, chatter in reverse, go to limp mode with a second-gear ratio code and/or a solenoid-performance code.
There She Blows!
Lately on the phone lines, we’ve had a rash of calls concerning transmission fluid spewing out the filler tube on trucks equipped with the JR403E Electromatic transmission once the transmission reaches operating temperature.
