In the previous two articles, we discussed how engine inputs directly affect transmission operation and how GM manages pressure in different applications. In...
Back on the Bench
In our last discussion, I went over engine load data and how the computer uses this information to determine line pressure command (GEARS, July 2023). As we...
As we gain experience over the years of building transmissions, we learn the idiosyncrasies of various transmissions—the common failures with specific...
I was told long ago if you ever feel you know everything about transmissions, it’s time to find a new career. I didn’t fully understand what my friend Mac...
Most days in the field, it’s just building your transmission and sending it down the road. We’ve all seen the common problems and their causes with most...
Through years of experience in the transmission industry, our lessons in the field often help us get to the problem quickly, fix it, and get it out the door...
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about rebuilding transmissions is the required attention to detail. All the mistakes that can be made and all the...
A friend of mine recently called me about his daughter’s 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, with an 09D, giving him problems. They purchased the vehicle a few years...
Over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to make quick work of the tedious job of tracking down electrical faults. Anytime we see a solenoid circuit code...
As time goes by, we see more and more of these 6L80s showing up at the door. It reminds me of how often we used to see 4L60Es. Although, the problems with the...
We recently had a Ford 6F35 with a lock-up malfunction code come into the shop. The torque converter clutch seemed to be working on the test drive, but the...
As technology advances, proper diagnostics have become more and more important. While most internal transmission problems are obvious, with burnt fluid or...
…Once on the bench and disassembled, all we found was burnt forward clutches, everything else looked ok…
My co-worker recently built a 5R110W...
It’s hard to be surprised anymore with all the possible things that can go wrong inside a transmission: circuit leaks, solenoid malfunctions, valve body...
A friend of mine recently called me on a 2012 dodge charger with a NAG 1, aka, 722.6 in it. The customer stated the check engine light was on, and he found a...
I’ve shared a few stories of very odd problems that took some unique testing to figure out. I have another one to share, but don’t think of this problem...
Just when you thought you have seen it all, life and transmissions will throw another curve ball your way. Things like bushing wear, spring breakage, bore...
Whenever I can, I like to get off the ATRA Hotline and do some hands-on diagnosing on a live vehicle, and there are a few shops in town where I get the...
The most difficult problems I have ever experienced in all the years I have been in this industry are the intermittent ones. My most favorite one of all was a...
Often in life, things are not always what they seem, and with today’s automobiles, we frequently come across codes with the same title but a different...