The transmission business can be exhausting, not only physically but also emotionally and financially. ATRA is here to help provide answers and find creative...
Popular Articles
Since Chrysler introduced the A604 transmission in 1989, controlling the power feed to the transmission was a major concern. Low resistance, fast acting pulse...
Most of us have either seen or heard of the new 10-speed transmission Ford is offing behind the 2.3L EcoBoost, 2.7L V6, 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L gas, and 3.0L Power...
Changing transmission fluid after the vehicle is out of warranty is important for the life of the transmission. The issue of helping the customer understand...
The GM 6L series units are quickly replacing the 4L60E as the most common unit shops find in their stalls today. Like the 4L60E, the 6L80/90 applications have...
The GM 6T40 is becoming very familiar in transmission shops; some are calling it the new breadwinner. The 6T40 came out in 2008 in the Chevy Malibu, but...
Introduced in 2015, with a major update in 2018/19, the 8L90 is starting to appear in shops around the country. Used in numerous GM car and light truck...
One of the first you need to know when diagnosing and fixing any transmission is to understand how it works. Once you understand what does what and when it’s...
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...
Hyundai/Kia Motor Company introduced its first, internally designed-and-manufactured A6 six-speed automatic transmission in 2009. Designing and manufacturing...
If you’ve had to diagnose a Jatco CVT transmission by now, chances are you’ve seen the familiar stepper motor code, P1778.
The stepper motor is one of the...
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...
The Subaru CVT has been around for a while and has become a common visitor for shops. There are several reasons for this but there are three I’d like to...
Remember the good old day’s when you just opened the hood pulled out the dipstick, wiped it off, stuck it back in, and pulled it out? Just like that, you...
It seems that every few months we hear of a new transmission coming to market. It’s hard to keep up with all the different transmissions and different ways...
Starting with model year 2005 with the 6F50N family transmissions, Ford introduced solenoid strategies. Since then, they’ve introduced the 6F35N, 6R80...
Chances are you’ve had to deal with the dreaded P0882 code in a Dodge. It’s often caused by a faulty PCM (Powertrain Control Module) or TIPM (Totally...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we’re going to look at one of the most common problems plaguing Allison’s LCT transmission group: inhibited...
Technology is a double-edged sword: On one hand, today’s technology has helped create cars that are more dependable, more efficient, and just plain drive...
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...
The ATRA Tech HotLine still receives calls on Toyota/Lexus U140/U240 and U150/U250 transmissions with shifting issues. These vehicles exhibit a number of...
In this edition of Fun with Transmissions we’re going to check out the new 8F35 from Ford Motor Company (figure 1). We’ll take a look at some interesting...
In this issue of GEARS, we’re going to delve into the Ford 6R80 transmission and discuss some of the more recent and major changes that have taken...
The new Mazda FWD 6-speed comes in the following vehicles:
2012–present — Mazda 2.0L–2.5L
2014–present — Mazda 6 2.5L
2013 — Mazda CX-5...
As we reflect on all the modern transmissions that we now deal with on a daily basis, and look back on the old 2- and 3-speed automatics that most of us cut...
In 2020, Ford motor company introduced the 10R140 ten speed automatic transmission for the Super Duty F-series trucks all the way up to the F-600. This unit...
The Jatco JF017E transmission has been out for a while and many shops are already enjoying the extra profits that CVT rebuilds are bringing in.
The Jatco...
Over the last two years, we’ve seen a big change when it comes to rebuilding the Jatco CVT. It used to be hard to find the parts needed for rebuilding this...
Like most other transmission, as the years go by, the 722.9 is hitting the bench more and more often. And, over the past few years, we’ve seen some common...
The U660E first appeared in the Lexus ES350 and the Toyota Camry in 2007. Then it showed up in the 2008 Avalon, followed by the Venza in 2009. It is used...
The TH400 and 4L80E have been around for a long time, and these units are generally trouble free. But there are a few modifications you can perform to improve...
The 700R4 has been around for over 30 years, and yet they still show up in shops all across the country. For veteran builders this unit is pretty...
Information is the key to success in this industry. But lately, manufacturers have begun to spend a lot more effort building barriers between you and the...
The name “Allison” immediately conjures up a picture in the mind of the consumer of transmissions that exemplify quality, durability, and longevity...
Over 30 years ago, back in the day when I was being taught the ins and outs of rebuilding, I was working for my brother Ken “Racer” Brown at Brown’s...
Rebuilding transmissions can get tricky, especially when it comes to special tools. Of course, buying tools is a necessary part of our job. That being said...
If you did not know, the engine has to be operating properly before we can diagnose transmission problems. Air flow measurement is a HUGE input on Mass Airflow...
The variety and shape of solenoids used in modern transmissions change with each new model. On any rebuild, solenoids are a suspect part and should either be...
Convenience and ease of operation are things we have come to expect out of our daily driving experiences. Pushing a button should give us exactly what we want...
Two months ago, we covered testing potentiometers, such as TP and APP sensors. Both of those sensors could cause driveability complaints, transmission shift...
A look at the pressure control system on Chrysler’s RFE transmissions, with an in-depth view of the solenoids they use. Covers the trouble codes associated...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we’re going to take a look at a 2015 Ford Explorer with a “Transmission Not in Park” message displayed in...
CVTs may still be a bit unfamiliar to some, but they’re certain to be a big part of your future. Covers the procedures for disassembling and inspecting the...
The Dodge RFE series transmission has gone through some changes with the solenoid block and now changes with transmission range sensor (TRS) plate.
We’re...
In the previous article, we discussed the issues and operations related to the charging systems in common use today. Charging system problems may cause various...
A recent study found that up to 40% of all engine failures were a direct result of cooling system issues. As the vehicles we service continue to evolve, the...
The ATRA Tech HotLine still receives calls on Toyota/Lexus U140/U240 and U150/U250 transmissions with shifting issues. These vehicles exhibit a number of...
Understanding and diagnosing today’s domestic all-wheel drive systems can be quite intimidating. They’re designed to operate in conjunction with many of...
Why is my transmission suddenly overheating? In this case the dodge truck is a 2008, 6.7 R3500 with a 68RFE. That should be perfectly fine to tow a small bass...
The only thing more difficult than working on some of today’s valve bodies is working on them when there’s no information available. Such is the case with...
Faulty crankshaft and camshaft position sensors can cause a variety of customer complaints. Some of these issues can prevent the engine from starting, cause...
The Dodge 62TE solenoid pack is expensive to replace; too expensive to replace on every rebuild. But are you replacing them because they’re bad or just...
In the June 2016 issue of GEARS, we looked at some of the updates to the 6R80 transmission. We covered why the one-way clutch was added and some of the...
Most transmission shops are now starting to work on CVTs. At first, most techs were kind of scared of the new design transmission and thought it was...
The Fiat 500 and 500 L are beginning to use a transmission that’s taking repairs to a different level. When this unit starts to break or act up, information...
Toyota and Lexus 8-speed transmissions are on the road and are already showing up in shops.
The first to be introduced was the AA80E, which appeared in the...
In this issue, we’re going to look at a 2007 GMC K2500 equipped with a 6L90E that had no line rise after being rebuilt. But first we’re going to take a...
Mercedes Benz technology is usually a little ahead of its time, so, when I heard Mercedes was using a new direct shift gearbox, I thought, “well it’s about...
There are some things in life that have little meaning, while others stick with you till the grave. One of the many things my father taught me has stuck with...
Modern Honda and Acura vehicles have their fair share of transmission options. The most familiar transmissions are the 5- and 6-speed units, with constant mesh...
We’re all looking for information to help repair the vehicles we face. Often the key to a successful repair is simply a matter of experiencing the symptoms...
In this article, we’ll continue to build on the fuel trim basics we covered in the May 2016 issue. We’ll also be referring to the information we discussed...
I recently had the pleasure of dealing with a 2010 6R140 with a 2-3 flare that became worse as the temperature increased. Once the problem is identified, I...
The Ford Torqshift came out in 2003 and over the years has exhibited its share of problems.
The original solenoid body may have one or five pressure switches...
Like many components used in the transmission industry, the term bushing can be described using various other names. A plain bearing, sliding bearing, solid...
In this issue of “Keep Those Trannys Rolling”, we are going to take a look at a “Key Stuck in Ignition” problem on a 2015 Subaru Outback. This 2015...
Since the introduction of the Subaru Lineartronic in 2010, there has been an air of mystery surrounding this newly designed CVT unit. Anyone who has witnessed...
The 6R140 transmission has been around since 2011. Throughout its reign as the heavy-duty transmission of choice for Ford, it was found primarily behind the...
Toyota’s 6-Speed Saga Continues… With Fewer Parts!
Since front-wheel-drive vehicles are a better choice for fuel efficiency, rear-wheel-drive...
Grade braking was introduced in the 2006 Allison applications. It’s a feature that many customers have learned to value, especially for those that use their...
The first of the 8-speeds was the AA80E, which appeared in the Lexus GS 460 2008-11, Lexus IS F 2008-14, and Lexus LS 460 2007-14. That was followed by the...
It seems like a generational thing when we look back at transmission families of the past. GM, Ford, and Chrysler follow similar patterns for creating...
The ZF 9HP48, also known as the 948TE for FCA (Fiat/ Chrysler Automobiles) vehicles, is a nine-speed transmission found in various Honda/Acura models, many FCA...
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...
It seems every other transmission problem that comes into the shop today has its roots in another part of the vehicle. Sometimes it’s the engine; other times...
Programming a vehicle is becoming part of everyday service for most shops today. More and more problems are being addressed by software updates rather than...
When I was a kid growing up in a small, east coast city, there were other kids who moved in and out of our neighborhood regularly. Then there was that one kid...
Many transmissions by various manufacturers use pressures switches to monitor the presence of fluid in a circuit. Some early GM’s used them for determining...
Like many of you, I’m far from a fan of most CVTs. I guess I’m just set in my ways but I often wonder if people really test drive CVT-equipped vehicles...
One of the more interesting aspects of rebuilding an automatic transmission is that its success or failure often rests on the final step: the installation. It...
Measuring voltage drop is the most-accurate way to check any electrical connection – including a starter ground.
A bad starter ground does not occur every...
CVT transmissions are becoming a more and more common site in shops today. As a result of this, we’ve started to see more broken CVT belts. Many times, the...
A long time ago, an old man once told me, “if you think you know everything there is to know about transmissions, it’s time to find a new profession.” At...
There are many things that can cause torque converter clutch (TCC) cycling on Dodge diesels, from poor grounds to a failed fuel pump or a plugged fuel...
Coolant contamination has become a lot harder to identify on many of today’s transmissions. You may have to do more than just look at the fluid to find it...
Solenoids have come a long way since the early, on/off styles. From regulation to clutch control, these solenoids are becoming not only the norm, but every...
Ford’s 8F35 transmission might be years away from your shop, but knowing how do deal with some of the common complaints might help you gain an advantage over...
We are bombarded by new transmissions everywhere we turn. Manufacturers are doing everything they can to gain an advantage in fuel economy and driving...
A Toyota Tundra, equipped with a 5.7L engine and an AB60E transmission, was dropped off with a complaint of no 5th and 6th gears. A road test revealed the...
Think back 15 years. Would you have predicted the popularity of CVT technology? It’s amazing to think of the change in perception of the Jatco CVT since it...
The longer I’m around, the more I realize the importance of the basics. How many times have you tackled a complex vehicle issue, only to find the problem was...
Jatco has been making CVTs since the early 1990s. The list of makes and models throughout the world that use a Jatco CVT would take up at least four magazine...
The approach to diagnosing a transmission problem isn’t always clear. It can be due to a lack of information or that the problem is intermittent, making it...
Over the years, torque converters have come in many shapes and sizes. From the huge, bolt-together cast iron powerglide converters (anyone beside me remember...
There are many different types of communication protocols in today’s vehicles, depending on the manufacturer and system. These include CAN, Flex CAN, UART...
A look at an uncommon problem with a common unit
The RE5R05A made its debut in 2002 in the Infiniti Q45. Since then, it’s become standard equipment, an...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we’re going to look at the 2015 Honda CRV all-wheel drive systems and what it takes to keep them rolling down...
Everyone has been working on converter clutches for years. In this day and age there several different styles of converter clutches, captive clutch, multi-disk...
Sometimes the simplest things in the world can lead to the biggest of headaches. I’ve known of many people, including myself, that will build ZFs, Mercedes...
Today’s domestic all-wheel drive (AWD) systems are designed to operate in conjunction with many of today’s vehicles’ on-board systems, such as the engine...
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