Page 1845 of 2399

STATOR
The stator assembly (Fig. 330) is mounted on a sta-
tionary shaft which is an integral part of the oil
pump. The stator is located between the impeller and
turbine within the torque converter case (Fig. 331).
The stator contains an over-running clutch, which
allows the stator to rotate only in a clockwise direc-
tion. When the stator is locked against the over-run-
ning clutch, the torque multiplication feature of the
torque converter is operational.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The TCC (Fig. 332) was installed to improve the
efficiency of the torque converter that is lost to the
slippage of the fluid coupling. Although the fluid cou-
pling provides smooth, shock±free power transfer, it
is natural for all fluid couplings to slip. If the impel-
ler and turbine were mechanically locked together, a
zero slippage condition could be obtained. A hydraulic
piston was added to the turbine, and a friction mate-
rial was added to the inside of the front cover to pro-
vide this mechanical lock-up.
Fig. 330 Stator Components
1 - CAM (OUTER RACE)
2 - ROLLER
3 - SPRING
4 - INNER RACE
Fig. 331 Stator Location
1-STATOR
2 - IMPELLER
3 - FLUID FLOW
4 - TURBINE
Fig. 332 Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
1 - IMPELLER FRONT COVER
2 - THRUST WASHER ASSEMBLY
3 - IMPELLER
4-STATOR
5 - TURBINE
6 - PISTON
7 - FRICTION DISC
21 - 288 41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLERS
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)
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Page 1846 of 2399

OPERATION
The converter impeller (Fig. 333) (driving member),
which is integral to the converter housing and bolted
to the engine drive plate, rotates at engine speed.
The converter turbine (driven member), which reacts
from fluid pressure generated by the impeller, rotates
and turns the transmission input shaft.
TURBINE
As the fluid that was put into motion by the impel-
ler blades strikes the blades of the turbine, some of
the energy and rotational force is transferred into the
turbine and the input shaft. This causes both of them
(turbine and input shaft) to rotate in a clockwise
direction following the impeller. As the fluid is leav-
ing the trailing edges of the turbine's blades it con-
tinues in a ªhinderingº direction back toward the
impeller. If the fluid is not redirected before it strikes
the impeller, it will strike the impeller in such a
direction that it would tend to slow it down.
STATOR
Torque multiplication is achieved by locking the
stator's over-running clutch to its shaft (Fig. 334).
Under stall conditions (the turbine is stationary), the
oil leaving the turbine blades strikes the face of the
stator blades and tries to rotate them in a counter-
clockwise direction. When this happens the over±run-
ning clutch of the stator locks and holds the statorfrom rotating. With the stator locked, the oil strikes
the stator blades and is redirected into a ªhelpingº
direction before it enters the impeller. This circula-
tion of oil from impeller to turbine, turbine to stator,
and stator to impeller, can produce a maximum
torque multiplication of about 2.4:1. As the turbine
begins to match the speed of the impeller, the fluid
that was hitting the stator in such as way as to
cause it to lock±up is no longer doing so. In this con-
dition of operation, the stator begins to free wheel
and the converter acts as a fluid coupling.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
In a standard torque converter, the impeller and
turbine are rotating at about the same speed and the
stator is freewheeling, providing no torque multipli-
cation. By applying the turbine's piston to the front
cover's friction material, a total converter engage-
ment can be obtained. The result of this engagement
is a direct 1:1 mechanical link between the engine
and the transmission.
The engagement and disengagement of the TCC
are automatic and controlled by the Powertrain Con-
trol Module (PCM). The engagement cannot be acti-
vated in the lower gears because it eliminates the
torque multiplication effect of the torque converter
necessary for acceleration. Inputs that determine
clutch engagement are: coolant temperature, vehicle
speed and throttle position. The torque converter
Fig. 333 Torque Converter Fluid Operation
1 - APPLY PRESSURE 3 - RELEASE PRESSURE
2 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY FORWARD 4 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY REARWARD
RS41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE21 - 289
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)
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Page 1850 of 2399

is requested when the TCM pulses this signal to
ground. The PCM recognizes this request and
responds by retarding ignition timing, killing fuel
injectors, etc. The PCM sends a confirmation of the
request to the TCM via the communication bus.
Torque reduction is not noticable by the driver, and
usually lasts for a very short period of time.
If the confirmation signal is not received by the
TCM after two sequential request messages, a diag-
nostic trouble code will be set.
VALVE BODY
DESCRIPTION
The valve body assembly consists of a cast alumi-
num valve body, a separator plate, and transfer
plate. The valve body contains valves and check balls
that control fluid delivery to the torque converter
clutch, solenoid/pressure switch assembly, and fric-
tional clutches. The valve body contains the following
components (Fig. 340):
²Regulator valve
²Solenoid switch valve
²Manual valve²Converter clutch switch valve
²Converter clutch control valve
²Torque converter regulator valve
²Low/Reverse switch valve
In addition, the valve body also contains the ther-
mal valve, #2,3&4 check balls, the #5 (overdrive)
check valve and the 2/4 accumulator assembly. (Refer
to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC
- 41TE/VALVE BODY - DISASSEMBLY)
OPERATION
NOTE: Refer to the Hydraulic Schematics for a
visual aid in determining valve location, operation
and design.
REGULATOR VALVE
The regulator valve controls hydraulic pressure in
the transaxle. It receives unregulated pressure from
the pump, which works against spring tension to
maintain oil at specific pressures. A system of sleeves
and ports allows the regulator valve to work at one of
three predetermined pressure levels. Regulated oil
pressure is also referred to as ªline pressure.º
Fig. 340 Valve Body Assembly
1 - VALVE BODY 5 - MANUAL VALVE
2 - T/C REGULATOR VALVE 6 - CONVERTER CLUTCH SWITCH VALVE
3 - L/R SWITCH VALVE 7 - SOLENOID SWITCH VALVE
4 - CONVERTER CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE 8 - REGULATOR VALVE
RS41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE21 - 293
TRD LINK (Continued)
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Page 1855 of 2399
(3) Remove Manual Shaft/Rooster Comb and
Transmission Range Sensor (Fig. 355).
(4) Remove 2/4 Accumulator Retaining Plate (Fig.
356).(5) Remove 2/4 Accumulator components as shown
in (Fig. 357).
(6) Remove Valve Body to Transfer Plate screws
(Fig. 358).
Fig. 355 Manual Shaft/Rooster Comb and
Transmission Range Sensor
1 - TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR
2 - MANUAL SHAFT
3 - ROOSTER COMB
Fig. 356 2/4 Accumulator Retaining Plate
1 - 2±4 ACCUMULATOR RETAINING PLATE
2 - DETENT SPRING
Fig. 357 2/4 Accumulator Assembly
1 - VALVE BODY
2 - RETAINER PLATE
3 - DETENT SPRING
4 - SPRINGS
5 - SEALS
6 - PISTON
Fig. 358 Remove Valve Body to Transfer Plate
Screws
1 - SCREW (24)
2 - TRANSFER PLATE
3 - VALVE BODY
21 - 298 41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLERS
VALVE BODY (Continued)
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Page 1856 of 2399
(7) Invert assembly and remove Transfer Plate
(Fig. 359). Beware of loose check balls.
(8) Remove oil screen (Fig. 360).(9) Remove the overdrive clutch (#5) check valve
(Fig. 361)
(10) Remove separator plate (Fig. 362).
Fig. 359 Remove Transfer Plate
1 - TRANSFER PLATE
Fig. 360 Remove Oil Screen
1 - OIL SCREEN
Fig. 361 Remove Overdrive Clutch (#5) Check Valve
1 - OVERDRIVE CLUTCH (#5) CHECK VALVE
Fig. 362 Remove Separator Plate
1 - SEPARATOR PLATE
2 - VALVE BODY
RS41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE21 - 299
VALVE BODY (Continued)
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Page 1861 of 2399
(6) Install thermal valve into transfer plate (Fig.
373).
(7) Install separator plate to valve body (Fig. 374).(8) Install the overdrive clutch (#5) check valve to
separator plate (Fig. 375)
(9) Install oil screen to separator plate (Fig. 376).
Fig. 373 Install Thermal Valve
1 - THERMAL VALVE
Fig. 374 Install Separator Plate
1 - SEPARATOR PLATE
2 - VALVE BODY
Fig. 375 Install Overdrive Clutch (#5) Check Valve
1 - OVERDRIVE CLUTCH (#5) CHECK VALVE
Fig. 376 Install Oil Screen
1 - OIL SCREEN
21 - 304 41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLERS
VALVE BODY (Continued)
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Page 1862 of 2399
(10) Install transfer plate to valve body and sepa-
rator plate. Make sure oil screen and #5 check valve
do not bind (Fig. 377).
(11) Install twenty-four transfer plate to valve
body screws (Fig. 378) and torque to 5 N´m (45 in.
lbs.).(12) Install 2/4 Accumulator components as shown
in (Fig. 379).
(13) Torque 2/4 Accumulator retainer to 5 N´m (45
in. lbs.) (Fig. 380).
Fig. 377 Install Transfer Plate
1 - TRANSFER PLATE
Fig. 378 Install Valve Body to Transfer Plate Screws
1 - SCREW (24)
2 - TRANSFER PLATE
3 - VALVE BODY
Fig. 379 2/4 Accumulator Assembly
1 - VALVE BODY
2 - RETAINER PLATE
3 - DETENT SPRING
4 - SPRINGS
5 - SEALS
6 - PISTON
Fig. 380 2/4 Accumulator Retaining Plate
1 - 2±4 ACCUMULATOR RETAINING PLATE
2 - DETENT SPRING
RS41TE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE21 - 305
VALVE BODY (Continued)
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Page 1987 of 2399

RIGID, SEMI-RIGID, AND FLEXIBLE PLASTIC PARTS TYPES
CODE FAMILY NAME COMMON TRADE NAME TYPICAL APPLICATION
ASA ACRYLONITRILE STYRENE
ACRYLITELURAN S CONSOLES, GRILLES
ABS ACRYLONITRILE
BUTADIENE STYRENETERLURAN9A9PILLARS, CONSOLES,
GRILLES
ABS/PC ABS/PC ALLOY PULSE, PROLOY,
BAYBLENDDOORS, INSTRUMENT
PANELS
ABS/PVC ABS/PV ALLOY PROLOY, PULSE, LUSTRAN,
CYCLOVINDOOR PANELS, GRILLES,
TRIM
BMC BULK MOLDING
COMPOUNDBMC FENDER EXTENSIONS
EMA EHTYLENE METHYL
ACRYLATE/IONOMERSURLYN, EMA, IONOMER BUMPER GUARDS, PADS
METTON METTON METTON GRILLES, KICK PANELS,
RUNNING BOARDS
MPPO MODIFIED
POLYPHENYLENE OXIDEMPPO SPOILER ASSEMBLY
PA POLYAMID ZYTEL, VYDYNE, PA,
MINLONFENDERS, QUARTER PANELS
PET THERMOPLASTIC
POLYESTERRYNITE TRIM
PBT/PPO PBT/PPO ALLOY GERMAX CLADDINGS
PBTP POLYBUTYLENE
THEREPTHALATEPBT, PBTP, POCAN, VALOX WHEEL COVERS, FENDERS,
GRILLES
PBTP/EEBC POLYBUTYLENE
THEREPTHALATE/EEBC
ALLOYBEXLOY,9M9, PBTP/EEBC FASCIAS, ROCKER PANEL,
MOLDINGS
PC POLYCARBONATE LEXAN, MERLON, CALIBRE,
MAKROLON PCTAIL LIGHT LENSES, IP TRIM,
VALANCE PANELS
PC/ABS PC/ABS ALLOY GERMAX, BAY BLENDS,
PULSEDOORS, INSTRUMENT
PANELS
PPO POLYPHENYLENE OXIDE AZDEL, HOSTALEN,
MARLEX, PRFAX, NORYL,
GTX, PPOINTERIOR TRIM, DOOR
PANELS, SPLASH SHIELDS,
STEERING COLUMN SHROUD
PPO/PA POLYPHENYLENE/
POLYAMIDPPO/PA, GTX 910 FENDERS, QUARTER PANELS
PR/FV FIBERGLASS REINFORCED
PLASTICFIBERGLASS, FV, PR/FV BODY PANELS
PS POLYSTYRENE LUSTREX, STYRON, PS DOOR PANELS, DASH
PANELS
RTM RESIN TRANSFER
MOLDING COMPOUNDRTM BODY PANELS
SMC SHEET MOLDED
COMPOUNDSMC BODY PANELS
TMC TRANSFER MOLDING
COMPOUNDTMC GRILLES
23 - 4 BODYRS
BODY (Continued)
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