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...
Popular Articles
So many times we run into this type of problem. We diagnose the transmission, determine it needs a solenoid, replace it and we still have the concern. So then...
I’d like to introduce the transmission industry to Ford’s latest 8-speed offering. This unit is about the same size as the 6F50N, its 6-speed...
The UA80E first showed up in 2017. It was used from 2017 through 2022 in the Toyota Highlander with 2.5L and 3.5L engines. From 2018 through 2022, it came in...
A manual transmission is one of the most efficient ways to get power to the ground from an engine. With the simplicity of selectable gear reduction and the...
It’s easy to know the right thing to do after the problem’s fixed; it’s a little more difficult to track down the actual problem to begin with...
Those of you who attend seminars and classes that I have taught through the years have heard me “preach” about how important it is to look for issues...
A faulty throttle position sensor (TPS) or accelerator pedal position sensor (APP) can cause engine or transmission issues. Hesitations, surging, hard starting...
Adaptive shift quality technology has been with us since the late 1980’s. Chrysler’s A604 is the most noteworthy trailblazer of this technology. Since...
The A6 series transmission found in Hyundai and Kia applications has been with us since 2009. However, they have not been a frequent attraction in our...
Back when I started in this business, most technicians were expected to build three or more units a day. In some production facilities they had people tearing...
I wish manufacturers would slow the rate of change in the vehicles they manufacture, but it is clear that is not going to happen. When you have been around as...
The are about a million GM 10L80 ten speeds out on the road today, and they are starting to come out of warranty. A very common issue with these units is 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...
Last October, I was lucky to spend a few days with Bob Warnke, the Vice President of Technical Development at Sonnax Corporation. He did the big 13+ hour drive...
Change happens even when you don’t realize it. Change in this industry is happening quickly and that trend will continue for several years to come. All too...
Winter has past and all eyes are looking toward the changing seasons, the days getting longer, and summertime adventures.
Your customers depend on you to take...
This week, I spent time in 15 different shops in the Atlanta area. Without exception, the shops were packed with work, and the mix of vehicle/transmission...
Can a vehicle have a misfire caused by intermittent compression? If so, can a compression gauge catch it? The answers are “Yes,” and “Only if you’re...
The key to repairing any problem successfully is twofold: You need to address the problem and the cause. Fix only the problem without addressing the root cause...
Have you ever been somewhere, met someone, or seen a scenario play out that you would swear you had previously experienced? Or maybe in your mind, you are...
It’s difficult trying to keep up with all the technology in today’s cars and trucks. So much so that sometimes it can feel overwhelming. And when a...
Diagnosing a P1776 code on Dodge and Chrysler vehicles can be, at times, difficult. This code is set when the onboard computer thinks the Solenoid Switch Valve...
An early model Ford Transit Connect comes in with the check engine light on. Perhaps it was recently purchased, and the new owner got it for a low price...
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine just how much technology goes into even the smallest parts in today’s vehicles. Take fasteners: Bolts, nuts, and studs are...
Change is one word that folks in this industry either love or hate. The GM 8-speeds are making their mark in our industry as many shops are seeing more and...
In parts I and II of this series of articles, we covered the basics of module programming and Ford Motor Company vehicles, respectively. In this installment...
In this article, we’re going to look inside a Subaru 2nd generation CVT. We’ll inspect the front of the transmission, and look over the pump and its drive...
Have you ever had part that you’re not sure about, and wonder if you should use it? It looked good, but there was just something about it! At some point in...
The 6F35 was introduced in 2009 in the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. The original torque converter for this transmission was a typical design with a single...
The UA80 series transmissions have been on the market since 2017. Now, they are beginning to come into transmission shops worldwide, needing diagnosis and...
The 6T40 generation 3 upgrade is mainly aimed at improving fuel economy. The gearbox features changes to the line pressure control system, oil level control...
Computer control systems can be simplified down to inputs providing information for a control module to command outputs — input, process, and output. Of...
Lack of sleep, anxiety, dread going to work? Everyone that works in this business has had that feeling at one time or another. Sometimes you wish you had...
We have a shop in Michigan where we work on just about anything. We keep up with training and try to learn as much as possible about newer vehicles and...
Converter rebuilders have been challenged with torque converter pilot wear for years. A worn pilot can cause all kinds of problems if not addressed:...
The RAM ProMaster is a light to medium duty van used for everything from local delivery to short-haul transport. RAM produces the 1500, 2500, and 3500 versions...
Using the wrong snap ring to retain the 3-5 reverse piston on a 6L80E will result in snap, crack, and pop: the snap ring pops out!
There’s been a change to...
This past October, ATRA was in Las Vegas for the 2016 Powertrain Expo. This year, ATRA presented a series of seminars titled Transmissions 101. The Saturday...
Here’s something for you to think about: Your fuel pressure gauge is basically worthless, because fuel pressure doesn’t matter. Actually, let’s modify...
Have you ever replaced a major component, such as a cylinder head or an engine, and then, after you thought your repair was complete, the vehicle wouldn’t...
When they work properly, the 4R70W and 4R75W is a reliable transmission. Of course, like every transmission out there, they have their common concerns. For...
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...
A visual inspection alone is no substitute for a valid voltage drop test on a suspect engine ground. Ultimately, visual checks may waste more time and cause...
Treating your digital voltmeter like a subtraction calculator may simplify routine voltage drop tests. Voltage drop testing is – and always has been – a...
It’s no surprise that transmissions will sometimes become “the fuse” when a customer modifies or tunes an engine. The ever so popular General Motors LS...
As technology advances, transmissions evolve to provide greater versatility and efficiency for powertrain management and customer driveability satisfaction...
Welcome to this edition of “Clash of the Classics”. This month we’ll head back to 1968 for a showdown between two iconic muscle cars that helped define...
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...
In this issue of “Keep Those Trannys Rolling,” we’ll take a look at a 2019 Ford Ranger equipped with a 2.3 L engine and a 10R80 transmission. The 2019...
Welcome back to another issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling. In this issue, we will look at a 2021 Ford F450 Super Duty truck equipped with a 7.3L engine and a...
Problems have been reported with the 2009 and up Subaru CVT torque converter clutch not releasing. Engine may stall or drop engine RPM when slowing to a...
In most automatic transmissions, you can expect to find simple switch valves that control direction of fluid and regulator valves that control or vary the...
In this issue of “Keep Those Trannys Rolling”, we’re going to take a look at a 2010 Ram 5500 Cab and Chassis truck that was having erratic transmission...
The 65RFE was introduced in 2012; it appears in the Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Dodge Ram 1500 with 4.7L and 5.7L engines. The 66RFE was available...
From the beginning of the electronic era, we’ve been chasing inputs and outputs as root causes for failures. In this case, we’ll talk about how no line...
In this issue, we’re going to look at what the future holds for the automatic transmission industry.
Fuel Economy Drive the Industry
Since the introduction...
My Apologies
All of us are human. Being able to admit when you made a mistake is an admirable trait. This month I am going to address turbocharged vehicles...
Continuing with our recent theme of inputs, this month we’ll cover oxygen sensors. There’s a lot of information you need to know to understand oxygen...
Recently, I was in Australia for a seminar presentation. During my time there, one of the shops told me about an intermittent problem they had with a 2012...
When transmissions age, the likelihood of them having been overhauled at least once increases. With every additional overhaul comes other concerns beyond the...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we are going to take a look at a 2020 Ford F150 XLT, equipped with a 2.7L ECO-BOOST engine and a 10R80...
There are enough things that happen with late-model vehicles that cause us to scratch our heads and wonder. Some of them border on the definition of a magic...
Introduced in late 2005 to become the 6-speed replacement for the 4-speed transmissions such as the 4L60E, the 6L presented several new challenges. The early...
In the April, 2016 issue of GEARS, we looked at Subaru Gen 2 and tore down the back half of the transmission, and removed valve body and the lower pan. In this...
Welcome, once again to Clash of the Classics. This month we’ll head back to 1970 to revisit two of the coolest cars ever produced, the 1970 Ford Mustang Boss...
The 845RE started life as a ZF8HP45, designed by ZF in Germany. Chrysler bought the license for the design and began building the 845RE at its Kokomo, Indiana...
During my presentation on the GM 8L90 transmission at Expo, I asked the group, by a show of hands, who had the special service tools that GM requires for...
Many shops are seeing increasing numbers of 8L90 and 8L45 transmission related concerns showing up at their front door.
The 8L90 applications were introduced...
Now that summer is in full swing more and more transmissions are burning up in the hot summer sun. Giving the example of the northwestern heat of 120+ degrees...
Last month’s article covered the tooling and some basic theories regarding mechanical testing using electronic means. This month we’ll dig a bit deeper...
Ten-speed transmissions have been with us for a half-decade now, and they are coming into transmission shops around the world. With these units coming out of...
Today’s drivetrains are more efficient than ever before. Every component is designed to maximize the transfer of power with the minimum amount of waste while...
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...
Today’s vehicles are more efficient than we’ve ever seen. They are so efficient that most engines idling in an enclosed area for an extended time only...
After a rebuild, Toyota transmissions can have shifting issues and TCC complaints that drive you crazy. If you take a few precautions, you can cut down a lot...
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...
The Mazda CX-5 KE and the Mazda6 GJ from 2012 are based on the same vehicle platform, and as a result, they share many of the same components, one of which is...
Toyota has always maintained a unique approach for managing shift quality. Ports lined up in a case like missile silos loaded with accumulator pistons and...
In this issue of “Keep Those Trannys Rolling”, we are going to take a look at a 2016 Land Rover Range Rover with a 3.0L engine and a ZF8HP70 transmission...
The Toyota/Lexus U880E was first introduced in the 2013 Lexus RX350 sport. Since then it’s become quite popular; BMW began using it in 2015 under the name...
Welcome to this edition of “Clash of the Classics”. This month we’ll compare and contrast two titans in the Classic Truck world, the 1956 Ford F100...
Last time, we looked at Magna Powertrain’s MP3010 transfer case system and what it takes to control its four wheel drive system. In this issue, we’re going...
When dealing with electrical problems, it’s always important to remember that a single fault can create multiple problems in seemingly unrelated systems. But...
I have been a transmission rebuilder for most of my automotive career. I enjoy it best because solving the problems these marvelous puzzles present brings me...
One of the more popular Ford transmissions these days is the Torshift. It’s a solid, dependable unit that’s been around for a while, making it one...
Welcome once again to another edition of Doc’s Clash of the Classics. This month we’ll look back to 1969 for a battle between two rare muscle cars that...
Vibrations can be one of the most frustrating things that you can have to repair. Finding the source of the vibration and then eliminating the cause can be a...
Into everyone’s life a little rain will fall. Or, in this case, the U0101 Loss of Communication with TCM. The code is as simple as the description; there’s...
No, not the nocturnal dude with the cape and fangs. We’ll be looking at the “Digital Ratio Adapter Controller” (DRAC). That’s a mouthful, so we’ll be...
An agreement is a contract for mutual benefit – I get something, you get something. It also states any limits to the mutually agreed terms and...
I never expected the power glide transmission to operate. I was right. The transmission was in a 1950 Chevrolet Styleline Deluxe that my friend Don Lackey had...
If you search “how long have CVT transmissions been around,” Wikipedia has some interesting information. In 1879, Milton Reeves invented a CVT (then called...
Like other transmissions, the 8L applications have undergone numerous updates and changes through the years. Many of those updates/changes were due to...
The 6L80 and 6L90 transmissions have been in the aftermarket for over a decade. By now, most transmission shops see these transmissions regularly. One common...
In 2000, Ford introduced the 5R55N. It was only used in the 2000-2002 Lincoln LS, 2002 Thunderbird, and 2000-2002 Jaguar S-type. It’s a lot like the 5R55W/S...
In the October/November 2017 issue of GEARS, the column In Front of the Flywheel addressed an intermittent compression issue on a 2010 Ford F150. The article...
One thing about this industry is that change is a constant thing. In the ATRA seminars over the last few years, we have included detailed information regarding...
The 6L80/90 converters have had numerous problems since they came out in the mid 2000’s. There have been problems with the converter, along with problems in...
In the December 2016 issue of GEARS Magazine, we learned about the three different types of valves used in all automatic transmissions: regulator valves...
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