In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we are going to take a look at a 2020 Ford F150 XLT equipped with a 5.0 engine and a 10R80 transmission that was...
Popular Articles
Solenoids have been around since the late 70s, evolving from simple on/off solenoids to pulse width modulated clutch pressure control solenoids. Now we have a...
Today we will talk about the Park Assist System, found on many of today’s vehicles. The Park Assist System is a safety feature in a communications problem...
During the 1960s and 70s, there was a radio program called Our Changing World, featuring Earl Nightingale, “The Dean of Personal Motivation.” He was on...
Imagine you wake up one morning to discover your shop is on an island… cut off from the rest of the world by an ocean. The only way to get there is by boat...
Recently I was at an AAMCO shop in Hialeah, Florida. My friend Roger asked me to stop by and have a look at a 2016 Honda Accord he was having trouble with. It...
This statement perfectly captures the spirit of David Lee, the passionate owner of Express Auto Transmission in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Known for its...
Electronic components inside today’s transmissions have captivated us when considering parts to service and replace on a rebuild. Since computer strategy...
Since the 1980s, the relentless pace of technical change to the automotive industry has had no better example than the evolution of automotive lubrication. The...
One of the things we strive to do at ATRA is to provide information not only regarding repairs for the common conditions you are seeing in your shops but to...
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...
This past March 24th, ATRA’s Dennis Madden and Keith Clark were on hand at the Mister Transmission annual convention. Mister Transmission is a strictly...
Automotive markets around the world are interconnected on many levels, particularly in terms of powertrains. As ATRA is an international organization, we...
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...
Over the past several months, we’ve covered a lot of information aimed at the diagnostician, particularly things to check when a vehicle first comes in with...
You know when you’ve come to Philadelphia’s Main Line: The homes are large and stately with well-coiffed yards and gardens. And you’re much more likely...
This shop profile is going to be different than any I’ve ever written. My interview with John Hunter, the owner of Northampton Transmission in Northampton...
Maria Fernanda Erazo Gallegos wears her hot-pink and black uniform proudly. It’s her badge of honor, differentiating her from every other transmission shop...
We’ve long established the value of building a community presence in today’s business environment. But for most shops, that usually means sponsoring a...
In this issue of “Keep Those Trannys Rolling,” we are going to take a look at a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado K3500 that was having an intermittent “no move...
One of the characteristics of small town living is that just about everyone knows your business. Just one unhappy customer could irreparably damage your...
The idea that the transmission industry is changing is hardly a new one. And it’s certainly an observation that everyone involved would agree with.
Nowhere...
As most are aware, a transmission is not just a transmission anymore, in fact it has not been a stand-alone component for several decades now. A lot of the...
If you’re familiar with Texas, they say everything is bigger and better in the Lone Star State. From the expansive skies to the sprawling landscapes, the...
In 2009, when the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, cost fractions of a penny, an Australian game developer set up a rig to mine a few coins per day; he accumulated...
Imperial Auto and Truck Service Center has built a reputation not just on doing great work, but by exceeding their customers’ expectations. “I, personally...
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill.
In the heart of Moncton, New...
Last month, we explored the tried and tested VR and Hall-effect sensors that have provided a speed input to the engine, trans, and ABS controllers for decades...
Calling this a certification program might be selling ourselves short, because it’s much more than that. The ATRA certification program is actually a...
The scan tool interface on today’s vehicles has been around for a long time. In 1978, manufacturers started to roll out a new on-board diagnostic system...
The focus of the management track at this year’s Expo was how to help today’s shops attract new technicians. It’s become an increasingly urgent...
With the advent of the 6-speed transmission, the number of transmissions equipped with cooler bypass systems has dramatically increased. Sure, we had the...
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...
The 9T series transmission is General Motors’ version of collaboration with Ford for a next-generation powertrain solution. While Ford chose to stick...
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.” –...
The advantages of having the right tools for the job can make the difference between getting it done quickly and beating your head against the wall. One tool...
Dealing with solenoid electrical problems sometimes can be confusing, especially when you read the possible causes on the factory diagnostic tree. For example...
The hallmark of ATRA has always been one of shared resources; the idea that we’re all stronger when we work together. And no one has embraced that concept...
We talk a lot about independent repair facilities and the ratio of women to men employed in them, but I was curious to find out what this looks like on a...
An older engineer used to tell me, “Kid, if you stay on the ship long enough, you will see the same sights over and over again.” When I was young, I really...
Capital Gains tax is something that most business owners and investors are familiar with. However, there is a lesser-known tax for which business owners and...
Math problems can be a challenge for many. You know the ones: Mr. Jones is traveling north on the Pike express traveling at 60 mph. Mrs. Smith is traveling...
Up Your Business is an exclusive GEARS Magazine feature in which I share stories, insights, and reflections about real business and life challenges.
It’s...
Think all your trouble with today’s cars has to do with the advanced technology? Turns out most of the problem that keep you up at night could be fixed if...
For parents, it can be easy to relate to this article. Think about the last time you asked your kids to clean their room and found them 20 minutes later...
The call has gone out by the government to increase fuel mileage, and the automotive industry designers have answered. First, it was lock-up converters. Then...
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is a specific type of transmission fluid used in vehicles with self-shifting or automatic transmissions. It is usually...
A great retired instructor, Dr. David Gilbert, who taught alongside me here at SIU, frequently said, “If you want to understand how to diagnose a system, you...
About 2 years ago, I was browsing the internet about women in the auto industry, researching information pertaining to my new role as AWIA’s new...
The more one knows, the more you realize how little one knows! Working with cars is often a humbling experience as you learn something you did not know almost...
When dealing with engine and transmission issues, being able to “draw the line” between the two can drastically reduce diagnostic time. If a transmission...
Working with transmission fluid exposes me to many types of businesses necessary to the process of base oils and additives, becoming the high-performance...
Leading a team of technicians and office personnel doesn’t seem to be directly related to winning, but a winning attitude and a winner’s discipline is...
The term “You’re in full control” isn’t something you hear getting thrown around a lot when talking automatic transmissions. But wait! What is now...
I have to be honest, swapping a TH-350 from one vehicle to another was easy, nuts and bolts, compared to replacing any modern transmission. Replacing almost...
Up Your Business is an exclusive GEARS Magazine feature in which I share stories, insights, and reflections about business and life.
Are you looking for new...
J & B Transmission in Dayton, Ohio is as close to being a 100% family-owned and operated business as you’ll find. Operating under the corporate umbrella...
Guest Author
It’s hardly earthshaking to say that today’s transmissions are advancing technologically every day. But what you may not realize is that today’s torque...
One of the struggles in life is the search for one’s purpose. For some people, it comes easy. They have a clear passion and ambition for something and go...
The pursuit of passion has defined Robert Klein’s life. Robert says, “I can’t remember a time in my life that I haven’t been in pursuit of something. I...
Hall of Fame baseball great, Yogi Berra is perhaps, most remembered for his Yogi-isms – amusing, absurdly profound statements like: “It ain’t over ‘til...
This is the second installment of our new Back to the Basics column. Last month we unveiled our vision for this column and how we hope to impact the training...
There are some common processes used regardless if you are a shop rebuilding a transmission on the bench or are a large reman with assembly lines for high...
Guest Author
3….2….1…. Liftoff! A rocket launch is an exciting event, as is launching a new business. Just as many hours of hard work and research go into...
Hopefully, in last month’s article, I piqued your interest in using electronic pressure transducers and scope to measure transmission line pressure. I...
“Quality is not an act; it is a habit.” – Aristotle.
In the heart of California’s picturesque Placerville, where the rolling hills hide small...
Up Your Business is an exclusive GEARS Magazine feature in which I share stories, insights, and reflections about real business and life challenges.
In over 20...
With great power comes great responsibility, as Uncle Ben told Peter Parker. The ability to reprogram a vehicle comes with responsibilities, such as ensuring...
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...
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, near Tulsa, is home to Lifetime Transmissions. The company’s founder and owner, Wayne Scherado opened its doors as Superior...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we will look at a 2019 Ram Promaster 2500 Van experiencing an intermittent “no movement” concern. This 2019...
One of the most important issues facing the U.S. is its graying population. We’re getting older every day, and nowhere is this more evident than with...
As automatic transmissions have evolved, so have their components. The demands on these transmissions in relation to efficiency, load capability, and...
Lately, it seems that our shop profiles have taken us down a different path than past traditional profiles. This month is even more different. First, it’s...
Alfred State College is a small technical school, with about 3500 students, in the Southern Tier of Western New York State. The college is part of the State...
In modern automotive technology, the torque converter is a pivotal component of automatic transmissions. For transmission technicians, mastering the design and...
In our last issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we looked at the Lexus “Dynamic Torque Control AWD system and what made it tick. In this issue, we will look...
In this issue of Keep Those Trannys Rolling, we will look at one of the most common calls coming into the ATRA Hotline regarding the 6L series transmission...
Meet Tony Chavez, owner and operator of Transmission City in Fresno, California. Tony got into the business as a transmission rebuilder. “I don’t build...
Over the years, we’ve met dozens of multi-generational shop owners; many who can trace their automotive lineage back three generations.
But Chris Park, owner...
Guest Author
How to sell a pastrami sandwich seems like a simple question, but the real answer is more complex than it appears on the surface. What can selling a sandwich...
Torque converter rebuilders from around the world gathered in Louisville, Kentucky for the 22nd Annual TCRA Seminar this past April 26th and 27th.
This...
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...
When Transtar opened the doors of its first small warehouse in a suburb of Cleveland more than 40 years ago, there were a handful of employees, some parts on...
Many of you are seeing a lot of radiator issues in a variety of car makes and models. They’re common on Nissans and Mercedes vehicles.
But are you missing...
60 years ago, a mechanic’s shop would have done everything from changing headlights to engine and transmission rebuilds. But it wasn’t all that long before...
Every year, hundreds of shop owners and technicians make their way to ATRA’s Powertrain Expo: the largest collection of transmission specialists to get...
Being raised in a small town of less than 1000 population myself, I was immediately intrigued by the story of Darcy and Donna Barilla, owners of DC Auto Care...
Up Your Business is an exclusive GEARS Magazine feature in which I share stories, insights, and reflections about business and life. Our lives are...
“When I get older, losing my hair, many years from now…” That’s how Paul McCartney started his song, When I’m 64.
I’d revise it to read, “…any...
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was implemented in the late 1960s. Like other federal agencies, many of the rules and laws make little sense to many...
Word of mouth has always been important for growing any business, especially in the automotive industry. But as technology has evolved, the internet and social...
“My dad was a car salesman, so cars were in my blood,” says Jeff Walson, owner and operator of Champion Transmissions, Inc, in Thousand Oaks...
Prescott Valley Transmissions, located in the bustling town of Prescott Valley, Arizona, has become known for providing an exceptional customer experience –...
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