CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
NO LOW GEAR
(MOVES IN 2ND OR
3RD GEAR ONLY)1. Governor Circuit Electrical Fault. 1. Test with DRBTscan tool and repair as
required.
2. Valve Body Malfunction. 2. Remove, clean and inspect. Look for sticking
1-2 shift valve, 2-3 shift valve, governor plug or
broken springs.
3. Front Servo Piston Cocked in
Bore.3. Inspect servo and repair as required.
4. Front Band Linkage Malfunction 4. Inspect linkage and look for bind in linkage.
NO KICKDOWN OR
NORMAL
DOWNSHIFT1. Throttle Linkage Mis-adjusted. 1. Adjust linkage.
2. Accelerator Pedal Travel
Restricted.2. Verify floor mat is not under pedal, repair worn
accelerator cable or bent brackets.
3. Valve Body Hydraulic Pressures
Too High or Too Low Due to Valve
Body Malfunction or Incorrect
Hydraulic Control Pressure
Adjustments.3. Perform hydraulic pressure tests to determine
cause and repair as required. Correct valve body
pressure adjustments as required.
4. Governor Circuit Electrical Fault. 4. Test with DRBTscan tool and repair as
required.
5. Valve Body Malfunction. 5. Perform hydraulic pressure tests to determine
cause and repair as required. Correct valve body
pressure adjustments as required.
6. TPS Malfunction. 6. Replace sensor, check with DRBTscan tool.
7. PCM Malfunction. 7. Check with DRBTscan tool and replace if
required.
8. Valve Body Malfunction. 8. Repair sticking 1-2, 2-3 shift valves, governor
plugs, 3-4 solenoid, 3-4 shift valve, 3-4 timing
valve.
STUCK IN LOW
GEAR (WILL NOT
UPSHIFT)1. Throttle Linkage Mis-adjusted/
Stuck.1. Adjust linkage and repair linkage if worn or
damaged. Check for binding cable or missing
return spring.
2. Gearshift Linkage Mis-adjusted. 2. Adjust linkage and repair linkage if worn or
damaged.
3. Governor Component Electrical
Fault.3. Check operating pressures and test with DRBT
scan tool, repair faulty component.
4. Front Band Out of Adjustment. 4. Adjust Band.
5. Clutch or Servo Malfunction. 5. Air pressure check operation of clutches and
bands. Repair faulty component.
CREEPS IN
NEUTRAL1. Gearshift Linkage Mis-adjusted. 1. Adjust linkage.
2. Rear Clutch Dragging/Warped. 2. Disassemble and repair.
3. Valve Body Malfunction. 3. Perform hydraulic pressure test to determine
cause and repair as required.
21 - 20 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
BUZZING NOISE 1. Fluid Level Low 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Shift Cable Mis-assembled. 2. Route cable away from engine and bell
housing.
3. Valve Body Mis-assembled. 3. Remove, disassemble, inspect valve body.
Reassemble correctly if necessary. Replace
assembly if valves or springs are damaged.
Check for loose bolts or screws.
4. Pump Passages Leaking. 4. Check pump for porous casting, scores on
mating surfaces and excess rotor clearance.
Repair as required. Loose pump bolts.
5. Cooling System Cooler Plugged. 5. Flow check cooler circuit. Repair as needed.
6. Overrunning Clutch Damaged. 6. Replace clutch.
SLIPS IN REVERSE
ONLY1. Fluid Level Low. 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Gearshift Linkage Mis-adjusted. 2. Adjust linkage.
3. Rear Band Mis-adjusted. 3. Adjust band.
4. Rear Band Worn. 4. Replace as required.
5. Overdrive Direct Clutch Worn. 5. Disassemble overdrive. Repair as needed.
6. Hydraulic Pressure Too Low. 6. Perform hydraulic pressure tests to determine
cause.
7. Rear Servo Leaking. 7. Air pressure check clutch-servo operation and
repair as required.
8. Band Linkage Binding. 8. Inspect and repair as required.
SLIPS IN FORWARD
DRIVE RANGES1. Fluid Level Low. 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Fluid Foaming. 2. Check for high oil level, bad pump gasket or
seals, dirt between pump halves and loose pump
bolts. Replace pump if necessary.
3. Throttle Linkage Mis-adjusted. 3. Adjust linkage.
4. Gearshift Linkage Mis-adjusted. 4. Adjust linkage.
5. Rear Clutch Worn. 5. Inspect and replace as needed.
6. Low Hydraulic Pressure Due to
Worn Pump, Incorrect Control
Pressure Adjustments, Valve Body
Warpage or Malfunction, Sticking,
Leaking Seal Rings, Clutch Seals
Leaking, Servo Leaks, Clogged
Filter or Cooler Lines.6. Perform hydraulic and air pressure tests to
determine cause.
7. Rear Clutch Malfunction,
Leaking Seals or Worn Plates.7. Air pressure check clutch-servo operation and
repair as required.
8. Overrunning Clutch Worn, Not
Holding (Slips in 1 Only).8. Replace Clutch.
SLIPS IN LOW GEAR
9D9ONLY, BUT NOT
IN MANUAL 1
POSITIONOverrunning Clutch Faulty. Replace overrunning clutch.
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 21
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
SLIPS IN OVERDRIVE
FOURTH GEAR1. Fluid Level Low. 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Overdrive Clutch Pack Worn. 2. Remove overdrive unit and rebuild clutch pack.
3. Overdrive Piston Retainer Bleed
Orifice Blown Out.3. Disassemble transmission, remove retainer and
replace orifice.
4. Overdrive Piston or Seal
Malfunction.4. Remove overdrive unit. Replace seals if worn.
Replace piston if damaged. If piston retainer is
damaged, remove and disassemble the
transmission.
5. 3-4 Shift Valve, Timing Valve or
Accumulator Malfunction.5. Remove and overhaul valve body. Replace
accumulator seals. Make sure all valves operate
freely in bores and do not bind or stick. Make sure
valve body screws are correctly tightened and
separator plates are properly positioned.
6. Overdrive Unit Thrust Bearing
Failure.6. Disassemble overdrive unit and replace thrust
bearing (NO. 1 thrust bearing is between
overdrive piston and clutch hub; NO. 2 thrust
bearing is between the planetary gear and the
direct clutch spring plate; NO. 3 thrust bearing is
between overrunning clutch hub and output shaft).
7. O/D Check Valve/Bleed Orifice
Failure.7. Check for function/secure orifice insert in O/D
piston retainer.
DELAYED 3-4
UPSHIFT (SLOW TO
ENGAGE)1. Fluid Level Low. 1. Add fluid and check for leaks.
2. Throttle Valve Cable Mis-
adjusted.2. Adjust throttle valve cable.
3. Overdrive Clutch Pack
Worn/Burnt.3. Remove unit and rebuild clutch pack.
4. TPS Faulty. 4. Test with DRBTscan tool and replace as
necessary
5. Overdrive Clutch Bleed Orifice
Plugged.5. Disassemble transmission and replace orifice.
6. Overdrive Solenoid or Wiring
Shorted/Open.6. Test solenoid and check wiring for loose/
corroded connections or shorts/grounds. Replace
solenoid if faulty and repair wiring if necessary.
7. Overdrive Excess Clearance. 7. Remove unit. Measure end play and select
proper spacer.
8. O/D Check Valve Missing or
Stuck.8. Check for presence of check valve. Repair or
replace as required.
TORQUE
CONVERTER LOCKS
UP IN SECOND
AND/OR THIRD
GEARLockup Solenoid, Relay or Wiring
Shorted/Open.Test solenoid, relay and wiring for continuity,
shorts or grounds. Replace solenoid and relay if
faulty. Repair wiring and connectors as necessary.
HARSH 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
OR 3-2 SHIFTSLockup Solenoid Malfunction. Remove valve body and replace solenoid
assembly.
21 - 24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
NO START IN PARK
OR NEUTRAL1. Gearshift Linkage/Cable
Mis-adjusted.1. Adjust linkage/cable.
2. Neutral Sense Wire Open/Cut. 2. Check continuity with test lamp. Repair as
required.
3. Park/Neutral Switch, or
Transmission Range Sensor Faulty.3. Refer to service section for test and
replacement procedure.
4. Park/Neutral Switch, or
Transmission Range Sensor
Connection Faulty.4. Connectors spread open. Repair.
5. Valve Body Manual Lever
Assembly Bent/Worn/Broken.5. Inspect lever assembly and replace if damaged.
NO REVERSE (OR
SLIPS IN REVERSE)1. Direct Clutch Pack (front clutch)
Worn.1. Disassemble unit and rebuild clutch pack.
2. Rear Band Mis-adjusted. 2. Adjust band.
3. Front Clutch Malfunctioned/
Burned.3. Air-pressure test clutch operation. Remove and
rebuild if necessary.
4. Overdrive Thrust Bearing
Failure.4. Disassemble geartrain and replace bearings.
5. Direct Clutch Spring Collapsed/
Broken.5. Remove and disassemble unit. Check clutch
position and replace spring.
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 25
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
(10) Remove valve body assembly. Push valve body
harness connector out of case. Then work park rod
and valve body out of case (Fig. 24).
(11) Remove accumulator piston and inner and
outer springs (Fig. 25).
(12) Remove pump oil seal with suitable pry tool
or slide-hammer mounted screw.
(13) Loosen front band adjusting screw locknut 4-5
turns. Then tighten band adjusting screw until bandis tight around front clutch retainer. This prevents
front/rear clutches from coming out with pump and
possibly damaging clutch or pump components.
(14) Remove oil pump bolts.
(15) Thread bolts of Slide Hammer Tools C-3752
into threaded holes in pump body flange (Fig. 26).
(16) Bump slide hammer weights outward to
remove pump and reaction shaft support assembly
from case (Fig. 26).
(17) Loosen front band adjusting screw until band
is completely loose.
Fig. 22 Oil Filter Removal
1 - OIL FILTER
2 - VALVE BODY
3 - FILTER SCREWS (2)
Fig. 23 Valve Body Bolt Locations
1 - VALVE BODY BOLTS
2 - VALVE BODY BOLTS
Fig. 24 Valve Body Removal
1 - GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR
2 - VALVE BODY
3 - PARK ROD
4 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
5 - GOVERNOR PRESSURE SOLENOID
Fig. 25 Accumulator Piston And Springs
1 - ACCUMULATOR PISTON
2 - OUTER SPRING
3 - INNER SPRING
21 - 30 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)
(36) Compress rear servo spring retainer about
1/16 inch with Valve Spring Compressor C-3422-B
(Fig. 38).
(37) Remove rear servo spring retainer snap-ring.
Then remove compressor tools and remove rear servo
spring and piston.
(38) Inspect transmission components.
NOTE: To Service the overrunning clutch cam or
overdrive piston retainer, refer to the Overrunning
Clutch Cam service procedure in this section.
CLEANING
Clean the case in a solvent tank. Flush the case
bores and fluid passages thoroughly with solvent.
Dry the case and all fluid passages with compressed
air. Be sure all solvent is removed from the case and
that all fluid passages are clear.
NOTE: Do not use shop towels or rags to dry the
case (or any other transmission component) unless
they are made from lint-free materials. Lint will stick
to case surfaces and transmission components and
circulate throughout the transmission after assem-
bly. A sufficient quantity of lint can block fluid pas-
sages and interfere with valve body operation.Lubricate transmission parts with MopartATF +4,
type 9602, transmission fluid during overhaul and
assembly. Use petroleum jelly, MopartDoor Ease, or
Ru-GlydeŸ to prelubricate seals, O-rings, and thrust
washers. Petroleum jelly can also be used to hold
parts in place during reassembly.
INSPECTION
Inspect the case for cracks, porous spots, worn
bores, or damaged threads. Damaged threads can be
repaired with Helicoil thread inserts. However, the
case will have to be replaced if it exhibits any type of
damage or wear.
Lubricate the front band adjusting screw threads
with petroleum jelly and thread the screw part-way
into the case. Be sure the screw turns freely.
Inspect the transmission bushings during overhaul.
Bushing condition is important as worn, scored bush-
ings contribute to low pressures, clutch slip and
accelerated wear of other components. However, do
not replace bushings as a matter of course. Replace
bushings only when they are actually worn, or
scored.
Use recommended tools to replace bushings. The
tools are sized and designed to remove, install, and
seat bushings correctly. The bushing replacement
tools are included in Bushing Tool Set C-3887-B.
Pre-sized service bushings are available for
replacement purposes. Only the sun gear bushings
are not serviced.
The use of crocus cloth is permissible where neces-
sary, providing it is used carefully. When used on
shafts, or valves, use extreme care to avoid rounding
off sharp edges. Sharp edges are vital as they pre-
vent foreign matter from getting between the valve
and valve bore.
Do not reuse oil seals, gaskets, seal rings, or
O-rings during overhaul. Replace these parts as a
matter of course. Also do not reuse snap rings or
E-clips that are bent or distorted. Replace these parts
as well.
ASSEMBLY
Do not allow dirt, grease, or foreign material to
enter the case or transmission components during
assembly. Keep the transmission case and compo-
nents clean. Also make sure the tools and workbench
area used for assembly operations are equally clean.
Shop towels used for wiping off tools and hands
must be made fromlint freematerial. Lint will stick
to transmission parts and could interfere with valve
operation, or even restrict fluid passages.
Lubricate the transmission components with
Moparttransmission fluid during reassembly. Use
MopartDoor Ease, or Ru-GlydeŸ on seals and
O-rings to ease installation.
Fig. 38 Compressing Rear Servo Spring
1 - FRONT SERVO SNAP-RING
2 - REAR SERVO SNAP-RING
3 - SPECIAL TOOL
21 - 34 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42REWJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)
Petroleum jelly can also be used to hold thrust
washers, thrust plates and gaskets in position during
assembly. However,do notuse chassis grease, bear-
ing grease, white grease, or similar lubricants on any
transmission part. These types of lubricants can
eventually block or restrict fluid passages and inter-
fere with valve operation. Use petroleum jelly only.
Do not force parts into place. The transmission
components and subassemblies are easily installed by
hand when properly aligned.
If a part seems extremely difficult to install, it is
either misaligned or incorrectly assembled. Also ver-
ify that thrust washers, thrust plates and seal rings
are correctly positioned before assembly. These parts
can interfere with proper assembly if mis-positioned.
The planetary geartrain, front/rear clutch assem-
blies and oil pump are all much easier to install
when the transmission case is upright.
(1) Install rear servo piston, spring and retainer
(Fig. 39). Install spring on top of servo piston and
install retainer on top of spring.
(2) Install front servo piston assembly, servo
spring and rod guide (Fig. 40).
(3) Compress front/rear servo springs with Valve
Spring Compressor C-3422-B and install each servo
snap-ring (Fig. 41).
(4) Lubricate clutch cam rollers with transmission
fluid.
(5) Install rear band in case (Fig. 42). Be sure twin
lugs on band are seated against reaction pin.
(6) Install low-reverse drum and check overrun-
ning clutch operation as follows:(a) Lubricate overrunning clutch race (on drum
hub) with transmission fluid.
(b) Guide drum through rear band.
(c) Tilt drum slightly and start race (on drum
hub) into overrunning clutch rollers.
(d) Press drum rearward and turn it in clock-
wise direction until drum seats in overrunning
clutch (Fig. 43).
Fig. 39 Rear Servo Components
1 - SERVO PISTON
2 - PISTON SPRING
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - RETAINER
5 - PISTON SEAL
Fig. 40 Front Servo Components
1 - PISTON SEAL RINGS
2 - SERVO PISTON
3 - SNAP-RING
4 - ROD GUIDE
5 - SPRING
6 - ROD
Fig. 41 Compressing Front/Rear Servo Springs
1 - SPRING COMPRESSOR TOOL C-3422-B
2 - ROD GUIDE SNAP-RING
WJAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE 21 - 35
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 42RE (Continued)