Technology continues to change the nature of automatic transmissions. With Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) and Direct Shift Gearboxes (DSGs), planetary-based automatic transmission technology had to make advances in order to maintain relevance. Tipping the scale in technological genius is the 8L90 transmission. Utilizing a stand-alone TCM, a clutch-to-clutch gear train control set up an...

The most successful managers and technicians in the automotive industry are fully aware of the need for continued training, to prevent being blindsided by advances that others have experienced and are willing to share. This is what Vision EXPO is all about. It’s a gathering of the brightest minds in the industry with a common goal: to expand their horizons through classes and interaction with ot...

Leave it to Honda to create a transmission that the world has never seen before. Ever since the H2 Hondamatic transmission was introduced in 1973, Honda transmissions have been dubbed as strange, different, or unique, depending on one’s point of view. Transmission builders worldwide either love them or hate them. Holding true to this history, in 2015, Honda introduced an 8-speed, direct shift...

Starting with model year 2005 with the 6F50N family transmissions, Ford introduced solenoid strategies. Since then, they’ve introduced the 6F35N, 6R80 family, and the 6R140 units with solenoid programming needs. It can be a strange and ominous item to deal with from diagnosis to the final test drive. Any test drive with poor shift quality might have you wondering whether the computer needed t...

The DPS6 transmission in Ford Fiesta and Focus models has been around long enough for us to accept that they aren’t going away. In fact, this type of transmission is preferred for high-end, high-performance vehicles. For argument’s sake, consider this an entry-level unit. It’s a direct-shift gearbox (DSG) consisting of a dual, dry-disc clutch assembly, fully controlled by an external tran...

Building the A5HF1 and A5MF1 units have become almost second nature to builders in larger, metropolitan areas. These units are more predictable than their parent unit, the KM. But they can become annoying and overbearing if you don’t pay attention to details that could mean the difference between a job that stays gone versus one that has many unhappy returns. Let’s look at the A5HF1 in a 20...

Exploring the purpose for the Service Fast Learn Adapts procedure. By now, most builders in major metropolitan areas have developed a process for building the 6T40 successfully. They’ve tailored their parts order to the failure observed inside the unit. When they need to replace the TECHM, they know to arrange for programming to maintain a reasonable delivery date. With everything happening ...

When we mention the terms all wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive (4WD), you might immediately think of a truck or SUV that’s capable of sure-footed traction in poor driving conditions. When we mention cars that have this capability, we think of Subaru, Audi, or maybe Mercedes. In all cases, we envision a vehicle that’s more expensive, utilitarian, or comfortable, rather than nimble and ...

A 2013 Ford Taurus all-wheel drive, 3.7L police interceptor with a 6F55N came into the shop with a 3-4 flare shift complaint, burnt fluid, and no codes. Unfortunately, this car came with an extra twist: It was in a recent accident and had just been repaired. The radiator, along with other, major front-end components were replaced or repaired. So all hands were on deck to watch for anything else...

W hen a transmission job comes into your shop, you probably begin work immediately to get everything prepared to diagnose, repair, and deliver the vehicle in a timely manner. Everyone in the shop knows their job, but sometimes the simplest items can fall through the cracks or go unnoticed. Such as the exhaust system: If you don’t handle the exhaust system correctly and return it to proper ope...

A late model vehicle comes into your shop. The engine is running sub par, but it’s hard to determine how bad because the transmission is slipping severely and the fluid is black. You check and record any codes from the engine and transmission computers. You even perform a battery and charging system check. Nothing jumps out at you. This is where diagnosis begins. Unfortunately, the engineers ...

Over the years, the Honda transmission has evolved from a simple, two-speed automatic, to a solenoid-laden behemoth. It’s the most unusual automatic trans-mission on the market, and it scares many builders off because of its non-traditional design. But it shares some basic characteristics that we’ve grown accustomed to with other units. One of those characteristics is the low sprag assembly. ...

As computer-controlled vehicles age, many issues arise that can be difficult to diagnose. Some vehicles have spent harsh winters in the north being repeatedly heated and cooled to extreme temperatures, and doused with salt, water, and slush. Others have spent time in the extreme heat of the southwest deserts or the heat and added humidity of the south. These vehicles are past factory warranty; ...

When diagnosing transmission and driveability issues, it’s important to understand the computer systems that control them. Using multiple control modules allows vehicle manufacturers to fine-tune controls for the different systems. But all those extra computer controls add to the vehicle’s overall weight. A typical, late model vehicle can contain up to two miles of wiring, weighing up to 15...

Programming by the aftermarket using the J2534 standard is something that’s been with us for a while now. We’ve gone through numerous system updates and protocol changes. Which begs the question, where is this heading? Many people don’t want to make an investment in relatively expensive tools that’ll be outdated before they get a return on their investment. On the other hand, you don’...

We stood by for years without having to worry about computers in cars. We dismissed them as electronic gizmos that were all about engine control and had almost nothing to do with the transmission. Then we watched them enter our world, one solenoid at a time.

If you perform a test drive without a scan tool, you’re wasting your time. If you give a customer a quote on a job without checking for bulletins and updates, you might end up doing a job for free. Today you need to look at the whole vehicle and all control modules associated with powertrain management.

As today’s vehicles become more and more complex, there’s more pressure to be aware of how these vehicles operate, how they’re controlled, and what can go wrong to cause customer complaints. Since the introduction of computers, we’ve watched the complexity of control systems explode. Now you need to pay attention to the computer network that’s in charge of making everything work toget...