Understanding the 5R55S/W Initial Engagements
The 5R55S/W transmission has been with us for a little more than a decade. Its common complaints include harsh forward engagement; harsh reverse engagement; delayed, harsh initial engagements; flares on the 3-4 shift; and bind-up on shifts.
62TE: No Reverse
A vehicle using a 62TE transmission comes into the shop with a no-reverse complaint but drives well going forward. Even with the solenoid pack disconnected it still has no reverse but drives forward in failsafe third gear well.
Secrets
From one perspective it appears that the government and the manufacturers are working hand in hand to dismantle the aftermarket repair industry. Of course, their view is different. The government is concerned about fuel economy and emissions. So it places on the manufacturers CAFE ratings and emissions demands that have in many ways accelerated this technological advancement to meet those demands. Then, of course, there is competition among manufacturers to meet customer demands for as many comforts as the vehicle can offer.
Solving a No-Movement Puzzle
I have always loved the challenge of working on those “puzzlers.” So, when one came to my bench recently I knew I would definitely take the challenge.
This was the day the 1996 Lexus GS300 with an A350E transmission came as a tow-in with no movement.
Where Do They Go?
The RC4A-EL transmission, also known as the JR405E, is used in the States in the Mazda RX8 vehicle. It has a much broader use overseas. Since this is not a transmission that shows up on the bench regularly here, when a shop gets one we usually receive a call for help on placing the three tension springs shown in Figure 1.
And So It Begins …
Ford Motor Co.’s new 6R140W six-speed transmission has been on the road only since the 2010 model year, and we are already experiencing some problems. This is one of them.
A truck with the 6.7 turbo diesel and 6R140W transmission and a built on or before 4/11/2011 comes in with the malfunction indicator lamp illuminated and a flared 2-3 shift. Other symptoms may include a delayed reverse engagement and a stored fault code P0733 for a third-gear ratio error.
Reusable Gasket – Not!
A late-model Ford truck with a 6R140W transmission came into the shop with a complaint of a leak from the front. When the truck was raised on the lift, it appeared that it was leaking out the front, so the transmission was pulled to reseal it.
AW55-50SN Initial Engagements
I will try to explain one of the most-common questions being asked, concerning Drive and Reverse engagement problems. Some of this information has been covered at the ATSG seminars, so I will be using some amperage and pressure readings taken from a 2005 Nissan Altima as a visual aid so we can see how this transmission accomplishes smooth, almost-unfelt initial engagements, or garage feel as it is known to some.
Only One Way – the Right Way
Those of you who read my articles know that from time to time I may bore you with gear-train operation. It’s a part of the transmission’s operation that has always fascinated me. Understanding it goes a long way toward diagnosing various complaints, especially those involving noise.
In this instance I’m going to talk about a one-way-clutch device in a 62TE transmission (figures 1 & 2). But I first need to go through my boring explanation of the “foot bone being connected to the ankle bone” type details of the underdrive centerline shaft known as the underdrive compounder assembly (Figure 3).
A Hard Shift Fixed by a Gentle Squeeze
The RE4F03/4B transmission in several Nissan vehicles develops a hard 1-2 upshift as a result of uncontrolled line pressure. Sometimes code P0745 is stored for a problem in the line-pressure-control solenoid circuit. Replacing the solenoid assembly usually fixes the problem. But, the next time this happens to you, or you get to experience this for the first time, the fix may be as simple as gently squeezing a crimp.
Adaptation and Shift Learning
Adaptation: One dictionary defines it as “the act of adapting or fitting one thing to another.” That very well describes what we have to do sometimes when we repair today’s modern transmissions. We have to adapt them or “fit them” to their new environment.
I was doing some testing for the research-and-development department of Valve Body Pro that required me to install different 09G valve bodies in a 2005 VW Jetta. Each valve body had different criteria to be tested, so I expected the transmission to engage and shift differently every time it had a different valve body.
What’s Causing Third-Clutch Failures in Honda Five-Speeds?
For a while now I have been interested in finding out what is causing third-clutch failures in Honda five-speed transmissions. An opportunity finally presented itself when a customer brought in his 2003 Honda LX with a 3.0L engine and a BAYA five-speed automatic transmission. We had overhauled this transmission three years ago when the vehicle had 60,000 miles. Now with 134,000 miles the vehicle had an erratic 2-3 shift and code P0780 “Problem in Shift Control System.” When we disassembled the unit the only problems we found were burnt third clutches (Figure 1) and badly burnt fluid.
