
TEST CONDITION INDICATION
Governor pressure low at
all mph figuresFaulty governor pressure
solenoid, transmission
control module, or
governor pressure
sensor
Lubrication pressure low
at all throttle positionsClogged fluid cooler or
lines, seal rings leaking,
worn pump bushings,
pump, clutch retainer, or
clogged filter.
Line pressure high Output shaft plugged,
sticky regulator valve
Line pressure low Sticky regulator valve,
clogged filter, worn pump
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - AIR CHECKING
TRANSMISSION CLUTCH AND BAND
OPERATION
Air-pressure testing can be used to check transmis-
sion front/rear clutch and band operation. The test
can be conducted with the transmission either in the
vehicle or on the work bench, as a final check, after
overhaul.
Air-pressure testing requires that the oil pan and
valve body be removed from the transmission. The
servo and clutch apply passages are shown (Fig. 10).
Front Clutch Air Test
Place one or two fingers on the clutch housing and
apply air pressure through front clutch apply pas-
sage. Piston movement can be felt and a soft thump
heard as the clutch applies.
Rear Clutch Air Test
Place one or two fingers on the clutch housing and
apply air pressure through rear clutch apply passage.
Piston movement can be felt and a soft thump heard
as the clutch applies.
Front Servo Apply Air Test
Apply air pressure to the front servo apply pas-
sage. The servo rod should extend and cause the
band to tighten around the drum. Spring pressure
should release the servo when air pressure is
removed.
Rear Servo Air Test
Apply air pressure to the rear servo apply passage.
The servo rod should extend and cause the band to
tighten around the drum. Spring pressure should
release the servo when air pressure is removed.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CONVERTER
HOUSING FLUID LEAK
When diagnosing converter housing fluid leaks,
two items must be established before repair.
(1) Verify that a leak condition actually exists.
(2) Determined the true source of the leak.
Some suspected converter housing fluid leaks may
not be leaks at all. They may only be the result of
residual fluid in the converter housing, or excess
fluid spilled during factory fill or fill after repair.
Converter housing leaks have several potential
sources. Through careful observation, a leak source
can be identified before removing the transmission
for repair. Pump seal leaks tend to move along the
drive hub and onto the rear of the converter. Pump
body leaks follow the same path as a seal leak (Fig.
11). Pump vent or pump attaching bolt leaks are gen-
erally deposited on the inside of the converter hous-
ing and not on the converter itself (Fig. 11). Pump
o-ring or gasket leaks usually travel down the inside
of the converter housing. Front band lever pin plug
Fig. 10 Air Pressure Test Passages
1 - REAR SERVO APPLY
2 - FRONT SERVO APPLY
3 - PUMP SUCTION
4 - FRONT CLUTCH APPLY
5 - FRONT SERVO RELEASE
6 - LINE PRESSURE TO ACCUMULATOR
7 - PUMP PRESSURE
8 - TO CONVERTER
9 - REAR CLUTCH APPLY
10 - FROM CONVERTER
11 - TO COOLER
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 15
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
SHIFTS DELAYED OR
ERRATIC (SHIFTS
ALSO HARSH AT
TIMES)1. Fluid Level Low/High. 1. Correct fluid level and check for leaks if low.
2. Fluid Filter Clogged. 2. Replace filter. If filter and fluid contained clutch
material or metal particles, an overhaul may be
necessary. Perform lube flow test.
3. Throttle Linkage Mis-adjusted. 3. Adjust linkage as described in service section.
4. Throttle Linkage Binding. 4. Check cable for binding. Check for return to
closed throttle at transmission.
5. Gearshift Linkage/Cable
Mis-adjusted.5. Adjust linkage/cable as described in service
section.
6. Clutch or Servo Failure. 6. Remove valve body and air test clutch, and
band servo operation. Disassemble and repair
transmission as needed.
7. Governor Circuit Electrical Fault. 7. Test using DRBTscan tool and repair as
required.
8. Front Band Mis-adjusted. 8. Adjust band.
9. Pump Suction Passage Leak. 9. Check for excessive foam on dipstick after
normal driving. Check for loose pump bolts,
defective gasket. Replace pump assembly if
needed.
NO REVERSE (D
RANGES OK)1. Gearshift Linkage/Cable
Mis-adjusted/Damaged.1. Repair or replace linkage parts as needed.
2. Park Sprag Sticking. 2. Replace overdrive annulus gear.
3. Rear Band Mis-adjusted/Worn. 3. Adjust band; replace.
4. Valve Body Malfunction. 4. Remove and service valve body. Replace valve
body if any valves or valve bores are worn or
damaged.
5. Rear Servo Malfunction. 5. Remove and disassemble transmission.
Replace worn/damaged servo parts as necessary.
6. Direct Clutch in Overdrive Worn. 6. Disassemble overdrive. Replace worn or
damaged parts.
7. Front Clutch Burnt. 7. Remove and disassemble transmission.
Replace worn, damaged clutch parts as required.
HAS FIRST/REVERSE
ONLY (NO 1-2 OR 2-3
UPSHIFT)1. Governor Circuit Electrical Fault. 1. Test using DRBTscan tool and repair as
required.
2. Valve Body Malfunction. 2. Repair stuck 1-2 shift valve or governor plug.
3. Front Servo/Kickdown Band
Damaged/Burned.3. Repair/replace.
MOVES IN 2ND OR
3RD GEAR,
ABRUPTLY
DOWNSHIFTS TO
LOW1. Valve Body Malfunction. 1. Remove, clean and inspect. Look for stuck 1-2
valve or governor plug.
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 19
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

REMOVAL
The overdrive unit can be removed and serviced
separately. It is not necessary to remove the entire
transmission assembly to perform overdrive unit
repairs.
If only the overdrive unit requires service, refer to
Overdrive Removal for proper procedures.
CAUTION: The transmission and torque converter
must be removed as an assembly to avoid compo-
nent damage. The converter driveplate, pump bush-
ing, or oil seal can be damaged if the converter is
left attached to the driveplate during removal. Be
sure to remove the transmission and converter as
an assembly.
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Disconnect and lower or remove necessary
exhaust components.
(3) Disconnect fluid cooler lines at transmission.
(4) Remove starter motor. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/STARTING/STARTER MOTOR - REMOVAL)
(5) Disconnect and remove crankshaft position sen-
sor. (Refer to 14 - FUEL SYSTEM/FUEL INJEC-
TION/CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR -
REMOVAL) Retain sensor attaching bolts.
CAUTION: The crankshaft position sensor will be
damaged if the transmission is removed, or
installed, while the sensor is still bolted to the
engine block, or transmission (4.0L only). To avoid
damage, be sure to remove the sensor before
removing the transmission.
(6) Remove the bolts holding the bell housing
brace to the transmission.
(7) Remove nut holding the bell housing brace to
the engine to transmission bending brace.
(8) Remove the bell housing brace from the trans-
mission (Fig. 13).
(9) Remove the bolt holding the torque converter
cover to the transmission.
(10) Remove the torque converter cover from the
transmission.
(11) If transmission is being removed for overhaul,
remove transmission oil pan, drain fluid and reinstall
pan.
(12) Remove fill tube bracket bolts and pull tube
out of transmission. Retain fill tube seal. On4x4
models, it will also be necessary to remove bolt
attaching transfer case vent tube to converter hous-
ing.
(13) Rotate crankshaft in clockwise direction until
converter bolts are accessible. Then remove bolts one
at a time. Rotate crankshaft with socket wrench on
dampener bolt.(14) Mark propeller shaft and axle yokes for
assembly alignment. Then disconnect and remove
propeller shaft. On4x4models, remove both propel-
ler shafts.
(15) Disconnect wires from park/neutral position
switch and transmission solenoid.
(16) Disconnect gearshift cable from transmission
manual valve lever (Fig. 14).
Fig. 13 Bell Housing Brace and Converter Cover
1 - Transmission
2 - Torque Converter Cover
3 - Bellhousing Brace
Fig. 14 Transmission Shift Cable
1 - SHIFT CABLE
2 - MANUAL LEVER
3 - MANUAL LEVER
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 27
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

(18) Squeeze front band together and remove band
strut (Fig. 27).
(19) Remove front band lever (Fig. 28).
(20) Remove front band lever shaft plug, if neces-
sary, from converter housing.
(21) Remove front band lever shaft.
(22) Remove front and rear clutch units as assem-
bly. Grasp input shaft, hold clutch units together and
remove them from case (Fig. 29).
(23) Lift front clutch off rear clutch (Fig. 30). Set
clutch units aside for overhaul.(24) Remove intermediate shaft thrust washer
from front end of shaft or from rear clutch hub (Fig.
31).
(25) Remove output shaft thrust plate from inter-
mediate shaft hub (Fig. 32).
(26) Slide front band off driving shell (Fig. 33) and
remove band from case.
Fig. 26 Removing Oil Pump And Reaction Shaft
Support Assembly
1 - OIL PUMP AND REACTION SHAFT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY
2 - SLIDE HAMMER TOOLS C-3752
Fig. 27 Removing Front Band Strut
1 - BAND LEVER
2 - BAND STRUT
3 - FRONT BAND
Fig. 28 Removing Front Band Lever
1 - FRONT BAND LEVER
Fig. 29 Removing Front/Rear Clutch Assemblies
1 - INPUT SHAFT
2 - FRONT CLUTCH
3 - REAR CLUTCH
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 31
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

(27) Remove planetary geartrain as assembly (Fig.
34). Support geartrain with both hands during
removal. Do not allow machined surfaces on interme-
diate shaft or overdrive piston retainer to become
nicked or scratched.
(28) If overdrive unit is not to be serviced, install
Alignment Shaft 6227-2 into the overdrive unit to
prevent misalignment of the overdrive clutches dur-
ing service of main transmission components.
Fig. 30 Separating Front/Rear Clutch Assemblies
1 - FRONT CLUTCH
2 - REAR CLUTCH
Fig. 31 Removing Intermediate Shaft Thrust Washer
1 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THRUST WASHER
2 - INPUT SHAFT
3 - REAR CLUTCH RETAINER HUB
Fig. 32 Removing Intermediate Shaft Thrust Plate
1 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HUB
2 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THRUST PLATE
Fig. 33 Front Band Removal
1 - DRIVING SHELL
2 - FRONT BAND
21 - 32 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

(29) Loosen rear band adjusting screw 4-5 turns.
(30) Remove low-reverse drum snap-ring (Fig. 35).(31) Remove low-reverse drum and reverse band.
(32) Remove overrunning clutch roller and spring
assembly as a unit (Fig. 36).
(33) Compress front servo rod guide about 1/8 inch
with Valve Spring Compressor C-3422-B (Fig. 37).
(34) Remove front servo rod guide snap-ring. Exer-
cise caution when removing snap-ring. Servo bore
can be scratched or nicked if care is not exercised.
(35) Remove compressor tools and remove front
servo rod guide, spring and servo piston.
Fig. 34 Removing Planetary Geartrain And
Intermediate Shaft Assembly
1 - PLANETARY GEARTRAIN AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT
ASSEMBLY
Fig. 35 Removing Low-Reverse Drum Snap-Ring
1 - LOW-REVERSE DRUM
2 - HUB OF OVERDRIVE PISTON RETAINER
3 - LOW-REVERSE DRUM SNAP-RING
Fig. 36 Overrunning Clutch Assembly Removal
1 - OVERRUNNING CLUTCH CAM
2 - REAR BAND REACTION PIN
3 - OVERRUNNING CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Fig. 37 Compressing Front Servo Rod Guide
1 - SPRING COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3422-B
2 - ROD GUIDE SNAP-RING
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 33
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

(15) Align drive teeth on rear clutch discs with
small screwdriver (Fig. 52). This makes installation
on front planetary easier.
(16) Raise front end of transmission upward as far
as possible and support case with wood blocks. Front/
rear clutch and oil pump assemblies are easier to
install if transmission is as close to upright position
as possible.
(17) Slide front band into case.
(18) Install front and rear clutch units as assembly
(Fig. 53). Align rear clutch with front annulus gear
and install assembly in driving shell. Be sure output
shaft thrust washer and thrust plate are not dis-
placed during installation.
(19) Carefully work assembled clutches back and
forth to engage and seat rear clutch discs on front
annulus gear. Also be sure front clutch drive lugs are
fully engaged in slots of driving shell after installa-
tion.
(20) Assemble front band strut.
(21) Install front band adjuster, strut and adjust-
ing screw (Fig. 54).
(22) Tighten band adjusting screw until band just
grips clutch retainer. Verify that front/rear clutches
are still seated before continuing.
Fig. 50 Assembling Front And Rear Clutch Units
1 - TURN FRONT CLUTCH BACK & FORTH UNTIL SEATED
2 - REAR CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
Fig. 51 Installing Intermediate Shaft Thrust Washer
1 - INTERMEDIATE SHAFT THRUST WASHER
2 - INPUT SHAFT
3 - REAR CLUTCH RETAINER HUB
Fig. 52 Aligning Rear Clutch Disc Lugs
1 - REAR CLUTCH DISCS
2 - USE SMALL SCREWDRIVER TO ALIGN CLUTCH DISC
TEETH
21 - 38 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)

BANDS
DESCRIPTION
KICKDOWN (FRONT) BAND
The kickdown, or ªfrontº, band (Fig. 67) holds the
common sun gear of the planetary gear sets. The
front (kickdown) band is made of steel, and faced on
its inner circumference with a friction-type lining.
One end of the band is anchored to the transmissioncase, and the other is acted on with a pushing force
by a servo piston. The front band is a single-wrap
design (the band does not completely encompass/
wrap the drum that it holds).
LOW/REVERSE (REAR) BAND
The low/reverse band, or ªrearº, band (Fig. 68) is
similar in appearance and operation to the front
band. The rear band is slightly different in that it
does not use a link bar, but is acted directly on by
the apply lever. This is referred to as a double-wrap
band design (the drum is completely encompassed/
wrapped by the band). The double-wrap band pro-
vides a greater holding power in comparison to the
single-wrap design.
OPERATION
KICKDOWN (FRONT) BAND
The kickdown band holds the common sun gear of
the planetary gear sets by applying and holding the
front clutch retainer, which is splined to the sun gear
driving shell, and in turn splined directly to the sun
gear. The application of the band by the servo is typ-
ically done by an apply lever and link bar.
LOW/REVERSE (REAR) BAND
The rear band holds the rear planet carrier sta-
tionary by being mounted around and applied to the
low/reverse drum.
Fig. 65 Accumulator in SECOND Gear Position
1 - BOTTOM OF BORE
2 - LINE PRESSURE
3 - SHUTTLE VALVE
Fig. 66 Accumulator Components
1 - INNER SPRING
2 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
3 - OUTER SPRING
4 - SEAL RINGS
Fig. 67 Front Band
1 - FRONT BAND
2 - TRANSMISSION HOUSING
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 61
BANDS (Continued)