Page 872 of 1216

21-178AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - Troubleshooting
09P0010Fluid level must be
within this range.09PoOll
0”
Two302
DIAGNOSIS AND TEST
FLUID LEVEL AND CONDITION1. Drive until the fluid temperature reaches the usual tem-
perature
[70-80°C (160- 18O”F)I.2. Place vehicle on level floor.
3. Move selector lever sequentially to every position to fill
torque converter and hydraulic circuit with fluid, then place
lever in “N” Neutral position. This operation is necessary tobe sure that fluid level check is accurate.
4. Before removing dipstick, wipe all dirt from area around
dipstick. Then take out the dipstick and check the conditionof the fluid.
The transaxle should be overhauled under the following
conditions.l If there is a “burning” odor.
l If the fluid color has become noticeably blacker.
lIf there is a noticeably great amount of metal particles inthe fluid.
5.Check to see if fluid level is in “HOT” range on dipstick. If
fluid level is low, add automatic transaxle fluid until level
reaches “HOT” range.
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions because itallows pump to take in air along with fluid. Air trapped in
hydraulic circuit forms bubbles which make fluid spongy.
Therefore, pressures will be erratic.
Improper filling can also raise fluid level too high. When
transaxle has too much fluid, gears churn up foam and
cause same conditions which occur with low fluid level,
resulting in accelerated deterioration of automatic transaxle
fluid.In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating, fluid
oxidation, which can interfere with normal valve, clutch,
and servo operation. Foaming can also result in fluid
escaping from transaxle vent where it may be mistaken for
a leak.
6. Be sure to examine fluid on dipstick closely.
CONTROL CABLE
Whether control cable is properly adjusted can be confirmed bychecking whether inhibitor switch is performing well.
1. Apply parking brakes and service brakes securely.
2. Place selector lever to “R” range.
3. Set ignition key to “ST” position.
4. Slowly move the selector lever upward until it clicks as it
fits in notch of “P” range. If starter motor operates when
lever makes a click, “P” position is correct.
5.Then slowly move selector lever to “N” range by the same
procedure as in foregoing paragraph. If starter motor
operates when selector lever fits in “N”, “N” position is
correct.6. Also check to be sure the vehicle doesn’t begin to move
and the lever doesn’t stop between P-R-N-D.
7. The control cable is properly adjusted if, as described
above, the starter motor starts at both the “P” range and
the “N” range.
Page 878 of 1216

21-184AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - TroubleshootinaSelector
lever
position
P
R
N
ELEMENT IN USE AT EACH POSITION OF SELECTOR LEVER
2
LCl
Front clutch
C2 Rear clutch
C3 End clutch
Bl Kickdown brakeSHIFT PAlTERNS82 Low-reverse brake
OWC Oneway clutchTwo shift patterns are pre-stored in the control unit of this
transaxle. One is the power pattern (for more powerful
performance), and the other is the economy pattern (for
improved fuel consumption and quieter operation).
The driver can select and switch to the desired pattern by usingthe power/economy select switch on the center console.
The solid lines shown in these shift patterns indicate up-shifts,
and the broken lines indicate down-shifts. The reason why
there is a difference between the shift points for up-shifts and
for down-shifts is so that up-shifts and down-shifts will not
occur frequently when driving at a speed in the vicinity of the
shift point.
When the vehicle is stopped, there is a shift to
2nd gear in
order to obtain a suitable “creeping”, but when the accelerator
pedal is then depressed the vehicle starts off in
1st gear.
Page 888 of 1216
21-194AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - TroubleshootingCheck for continuity between the
kickdown servo switch terminal
TFA0389Start the engine, set to the “L”Continuity exists
+
range, and let the engine idle;check for continuity between the
kickdown servo switch terminaland the transaxle case.
NOTE: Be sure the brakes are
applied during this check.
+No continuity
“‘
Poor contact (sticking)
4
Replace the K/D servoswitch.
.
+
Normal
Disconnect the harness (both A
and B connectors) from the vehi-
Malfunction of the ori-
ginal TCU
Consider the original TCU to be
Same problem (as before TCU
exchange) occurs.
Page 896 of 1216

21-202AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - Troubleshooting
CONVERTER STALL TESTStall test consist of determining maximum engine
speed obtained at full throttle in “D” and “R”
positions. This test checks torque converter stator
overrunning clutch operation, and holding ability of
transaxle clutches and low-reserve brake.
CautionDuring this test, make sure that no one stand in
front of or behind vehicle.
1. Check transaxle fluid level. Fluid should be at
normal operating temperature
[70-80°C (160-
18O”F)]. Engine coolant should also be at normaloperating temperature
[80-90°C (180- 19O”F)l.2. Apply chocks to both rear wheels.
3. Attach engine tachometer.
4. Apply parking and service brakes fully.
5. Start engine.
6. With selector lever in “D” position, depress
accelerator pedal fully to read engine maximum
rpm. Do not hold throttle wide open any longer
than is necessary to obtain maximum engine
rpm reading, and never longer than 5 seconds ata time. If more than one stall test is required,
operate engine at approximatey 1,000 rpm in
neutral for 2 minutes to cool transaxle fluid
between tests.
Stall speed:
1,800-3,200 rpm
TRANSAXLE CONTROL7. Place selector lever to “R” position and perform
?+stall test by the same procedure as in foregoing
-,
item.Stall Speed Above Specification in “D”
If stall speed is higher than specification, rear clutchor overrunning clutch of transaxle is slipping. In this
case, perform hydraulic test to locate cause of
slippage.Stall Speed Above Specifjcation in “R”
If stall speed is higher than specification, front
clutch of transaxle or low-reverse brake is slipping.
In this case, perform hydraulic test to locate cause
of slippage.
Stall Speed Below Specification in “D” and “R”
If stall speed is lower than specification, insufficient
engine output or faulty torque converter is sus-
pected. Check for engine misfiring, ignition timing,
valve clearance etc. If these are good, torque
converter is faulty.
Symptom
Selector lever operation isstiff
Probable causeIncorrect adjustment of sleeve
Incorrect adjustment of control cable
Excessive wear of detent plate
Worn contact surfaces of pushbutton and sleeveRemedyAdjust
Replace
Starter motor does notoperate with the selector
lever in the “N” or
“P”position
Will not shift to
4-speedMalfunction in inhibitor switch
Malfunction of starter relay
Incorrect adjustment of control cableMalfunction of OD switch
Replace
Adjust
Replace
Page 903 of 1216

AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE - service Adjustment Procedures21-209
09Pooi awith this range.
09POOll
TWO382
SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURESN21FB6E
TRANSAXLE FLUID LEVEL INSPECTION1. Drive until the fluid temperature reaches the usual tem-
perature
[70-80°C (160- 18O”F)I.2. Place vehicle on level floor.
3. Move selector lever sequentially to every position to fill
torque converter and hydraulic circuit with fluid, then place
lever in “N” Neutral position.
4. Before removing dipstick, wipe all dirt from area around
dipstick. Then take out the dipstick and check the conditionof the fluid.
The transaxle should be overhauled under the following
conditions.l If there is a “burning” odor.
l If the fluid color has become noticeably blacker.
lIf there is a noticeably great amount of metal particles inthe fluid.
5.Check to see if fluid level is in “HOT” range on dipstick. If
fluid level is low, add automatic transaxle fluid until level
reaches “HOT” range.
Transaxle fluid: MOPAR ATF PLUS (Automatic trans-
mission fluid type 7176) or Dia ATF SPor equivalent
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions
becaljse it
allows pump to take in air along with fluid. Air trapped in
hydraulic circuit forms bubbles which make fluid spongy.
Therefore, pressures will be erratic, causing delayed shift,
slippy clutch and brakes, etc.
Improper filling can also raise fluid level too high. When
transaxle has too much fluid, gears churn up foam and
cause the same conditions which occur with low fluid level,
resulting in accelerated deterioration of automatic transaxle
fluid.In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating, fluid
oxidation, which can interfere with normal valve, clutch,
and servo operation.Foaming can also result in fluid
escaping from transaxle vent where it may be mistaken for
a leak.6. Be sure to examine fluid on dipstick closely.
TRANSAXLE FLUID REPLACEMENTN21FCBAaRefer to GROUP O-Maintenance Service.
TRANSFER OIL LEVEL INSPECTIONNZlFXAATransfer oil level inspection is the same as for the manual
transaxle transfer.
Refer to GROUP
22-Service Adjustment Procedures.
TRANSFER OIL REPLACEMENTNZlFYAFaTransfer oil replacement is the same as for manual transaxle
transfer.Refer to GROUP
22-Service Adjustment Procedures.