1996 ACURA RL KA9 engine

Position

As the engine turns, the ATF pump also starts to operate. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is drawn from (99) and dis-

charged into (1). Then, ATF flowing from the ATF pump becomes the line pressure (1). The line pressure (1) is regulated

by the regulator valve. The torque converter inlet pressure (92) enters (94) of the torque converter through the lock-up

shift valve and discharges into (90). The torque converter check valve prevents the torque converter pressure from rising.

Under this condition, the hydraulic pressure is not applied to the clutches as the manual valve stops line pressure (1).

NOTE:

• When used, "left" or "right" indicates direction on the hydraulic circuit.

• The hydraulic circuit is for '96 - '98 models. On '99 - 01 models, the 2nd accumulator is different.ProCarManuals.com

In position in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and position in 3rd, pressurized fluid is drained from the back of the torque converter

through a passage, causing the lock-up piston to be held against the torque converter cover. As this takes place, the main-

shaft rotates at the same speed as the engine crankshaft. Together with hydraulic control, the PCM optimizes the timing of

the lock-up system. Under certain conditions, the lock-up clutch is applied during deceleration in 3rd and 4th gear.

The lock-up system controls the range of lock-up according to torque converter clutch (lock-up control) solenoid valves A

and B, and the throttle valve. When torque converter clutch solenoid valves A and B activate, modulator pressure

changes. Torque converter clutch solenoid valves A and B are mounted on the torque converter housing, and are con-

trolled by the PCM.

NOTE: When used, "left" or "right" indicates direction on the hydraulic circuit.ProCarManuals.com

18. Install the control lever.

CAUTION: Take care not to bend the shift cable.

SPRING

WASHER

CONTROL SHAFT

19. Connect the shift solenoid valve/A/T clutch pressure

control solenoid valve harness connector.

20. Install the shift solenoid valve/A/T clutch pressure

control solenoid valve harness clamp to the shift

cable cover, then install the shift cable cover onto

the transmission.

CLAMP

SHIFT CABLE

COVER

SHIFT SOLENOID VALVE/

A/T CLUTCH PRESSURE

CONTROL SOLENOID VALVE

HARNESS CONNECTOR
21. Connect the transmission range switch harness

connector, then clamp the harness clamp on the

brackets.

22. Turn the ignition switch ON (II). Move the shift lever

through all gears, and check the transmission range

switch synchronization with the A/T gear position

indicator.

GAUGE ASSEMBLY

A/T GEAR POSITION

INDICATOR

23. If the transmission range switch is not synchronized

with the A/T gear position indicator, loosen the bolts

securing the transmission range switch and adjust

the transmission range switch installation.

24. Start the engine. Move the shift lever through all

gears, and verify the following:

• The shift lever cannot be moved to the position

from the position without pushing the shift

lever.

• The engine will not start in any drive gear, only in

the or position.

• The back-up lights come on when the shift lever is

in the position.
8 x
1.25
mm

16 N-m (1.6 kgf-m, 12 Ibf-ft)

CONTROL

LEVER

6 x 1.0 mm

12 N-m (1.2 kgf-m,

8.7 Ibf-ft)ProCarManuals.com

Road Tes t
NOTE : War m u p th e engin e to norma l operatin g temperatur e (th e radiato r fa n come s on) .
1. Appl y parkin g brak e an d bloc k th e wheels . Star t th e engine , the n shif t t o positio n whil e pressin g th e brak e pedal .
Pres s th e accelerato r peda l an d releas e it suddenly . Th e engin e shoul d no t stall .
2. Repea t th e sam e tes t i n position .
3. Test-driv e th e vehicl e o n th e fla t roa d in position . Chec k tha t th e shif t point s occu r a t th e approximat e speed s
shown o n th e nex t page . Als o chec k fo r abnorma l nois e an d clutc h slippage .
NOTE : Throttl e positio n senso r voltag e represent s th e throttl e opening .
a . Remov e th e PC M cove r t o expos e th e PC M fo r roa d testing ; refe r t o pag e 14-5 4 an d 14-55 .
b . Se t th e digita l multimete r t o chec k voltag e betwee n D 6 (+ ) termina l an d A2 6 (- ) termina l o f th e PC M fo r th e throttl e
positio n sensor .
NOTE : Refe r t o pag e 14-54 ; Ho w to us e th e Backprob e Set .
SRS component s ar e locate d in thi s area . Revie w th e SR S componen t locations , precautions , an d procedure s in th e SR S
(sectio n 24 ) befor e performin g repair s o r service .
PCM
D6 Termina l
DIGITAL MULTIMETE R(Commercially available )KS - AH M - 3 2 - 003 ,or equivalen t
BACKPROB E SE T07SAZ-001000A(two required )
BACKPROB EADAPTER
STACKIN G PATC H CORD S
A26 Termina l
PCM CONNECTOR S
ProCarManuals.com

Road Tes t
(cont'd )
4. Accelerat e to abou t 3 5 mp h (5 7 km/h ) s o th e transmissio n is i n 4th , the n shif t fro m positio n t o position . Th e vehi -
cl e shoul d immediatel y begi n slowin g dow n fro m engine braking .
CAUTION : D o no t shif t fro m o r positio n to o r positio n a t speed s ove r 6 3 mp h (10 0 km/h) ; yo u ma y dam -
ag e th e transmission .
5 . Chec k fo r abnorma l nois e an d clutc h slippag e in th e followin g positions .
(1st Gear ) Positio n
a . Accelerat e fro m a sto p a t ful l throttle . Chec k tha t ther e is n o abnorma l nois e o r clutc h slippage ,
b . Upshift s shoul d no t occu r wit h th e shif t leve r i n thi s position .
(2nd Gear ) Positio n
a . Accelerat e fro m a sto p a t ful l throttle . Chec k tha t ther e is n o abnorma l nois e o r clutc h slippage ,
b . Upshift s an d downshift s shoul d no t occu r wit h th e shif t leve r i n thi s position .
(Reverse ) Positio n
Accelerat e fro m a sto p a t ful l throttle , an d chec k fo r abnorma l nois e an d clutc h slippage .
6. Tes t i n (Park ) Positio n
Park th e vehicl e o n slop e (approx . 16°) , appl y th e parkin g brake , an d shif t int o position . Releas e th e brake ; th e vehi -
cl e shoul d no t move .
ProCarManuals.com

Stall Speed

Test

CAUTION:

• To prevent transmission damage, do not test stall speed for more than 10 seconds at a time.

• Do not shift the lever while raising the engine speed.

• Be sure to remove the pressure gauge before testing stall speed.

1. Engage the parking brake, and block the front wheels.

2. Connect a tachometer to the engine, and start the engine.

3. Make sure the A/C switch is OFF.

4. After the engine has warmed up to normal operating temperature (the radiator fan comes on), shift into position.

5. Fully press the brake pedal and accelerator for 6 to 8 seconds, and note engine speed.

6. Allow two minutes for cooling, then repeat the test in and positions.

NOTE:

• Stall speed tests should be used for diagnostic purposes only.

• Stall speed should be the same in and positions.

Stall Speed RPM:

Specification: 2,250 rpm

Service Limit: 2,100 - 2,400 rpmProCarManuals.com

Fluid Leve l
Checking/Changin g
Checking
NOTE: Chec k th e flui d leve l wit h th e engin e a t norma l
operatin g temperatur e (th e radiato r fa n come s on) .
1 . Par k th e vehicl e o n leve l ground . Tur n of f th e engine .
2 . Remov e th e dipstic k (yello w loop ) fro m th e trans -
mission , an d wip e it wit h a clea n cloth .
DIPSTIC K (YELLO W LOOP )
3. Inser t th e dipstic k int o th e transmission . Mak e sur e
th e notc h i n th e rubbe r ca p fit s i n th e dipstic k guide ,
an d pus h th e dipstic k i n al l th e way .
4 . Remov e th e dipstic k an d chec k th e flui d level . I t
shoul d b e betwee n th e uppe r an d lowe r marks .
UPPER MAR K
5. I f th e leve l i s belo w th e lowe r mark , pou r th e recom -
mende d fluid * int o th e dipstic k tub e t o brin g i t t o th e
uppe r mark .
6 . Inser t th e dipstic k bac k i n th e transmission . Mak e
sur e th e notc h fit s i n th e dipstic k guide , an d th e dip -
stic k i s dow n al l th e way .
Changin g
1. Brin g th e transmissio n u p t o norma l operatin g tem -
peratur e (th e radiato r fa n come s on ) b y drivin g th e
vehicle . Par k th e vehicl e o n leve l ground , tur n th e
engin e off , an d remov e drai n plug .
NOTE : I f a coole r flushe r i s to b e used , se e pag e
14-19 5 an d 14-196 .
SEALIN G WASHE RReplace.
ATP PA N
DRAI N PLU G18 x 1. 5 m m49 N- m (5. 0 kgf-m , 3 6 Ibf-ft )
2. Reinstal l th e drai n plu g wit h a ne w washer , the n
refill th e transmissio n wit h th e recommende d fluid *
to th e uppe r mar k o n th e dipstick .
Automati c Transmissio n Flui d Capacity :
3.0 (3. 2 U S qt. , 2. 6 Imp . qt. ) a t chang e
8.6 (9. 1 U S qt. , 7. 6 Imp . qt. ) afte r overhau l
Recommende d Automati c Transmissio n Fluid :
Hond a AT F Z- 1 Automati c Transmissio n Flui d
(ATF) *
* Alway s us e Hond a AT F Z- 1 Automati c Transmissio n
Flui d (ATF) . Usin g a non-Hond a AT F ca n affec t shif t
quality .
LOWE R MAR K
ProCarManuals.com

Pressure Testing

(cont'd)

6. Disconnect the transmission sub-harness connector (14P).

7. Start the engine, and run it at 2,000 rpm.

Terminal side of female terminals

8. Shift to the or position, and measure line pressure at the fully opened throttle condition.

9. Connect battery voltage to the A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve terminals of the transmission sub-harness

connector as shown.

10. Measure line pressure at the fully closed throttle condition.

If line pressure is out of specification, check and repair probable cause in the table below.

11. Stop the engine, and connect the transmission sub-harness connector (14P).

12. Disconnect the special tool from line pressure inspection hole, and connect the special tool to each inspection hole.

13. Start the engine, and run it as 2,000 rpm.
TRANSMISSION SUB-HARNESS

CONNECTOR (14P)ProCarManuals.com