5A-22 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONCONTROL SYSTEMS
GENERAL
There are two control systems associated with the transmission. The electronic control system monitors vehicle
parameters and adjusts the transmission performance. The hydraulic control system implements the electronic controlsystem commands. ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM
The electronic control system is comprised of sensors, a TCU and seven solenoids. The TCU reads the inputs, and
under software control activates the outputs according to values stored in read only memory (ROM).
The TCU controls the hydraulic control system. This control is via the hydraulic valve body, which contains seven
electro-magnetic solenoids. Six of the seven solenoids are used to control the line pressure, operate the shift valves
and the torque converter lock-up clutch, and to turn on and off the two regulator valves (The two regulator valvescontrol the shift feel.).
The seventh solenoid is the proportional or variable pressure solenoid (VPS) which works with the two regulator
valves to control shift feel.
Figure 3.1 details a typical TCU control system schematic.
The individual component locations, operation and specifications which make up the electronic control subsystem are covered in this section.
Figure 3.1 - Typical TCU Control System Schematic
5A-24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Transmission Control Unit(TCU)
The TCU is an in-vehicle micro-processor based transmission management system. It is usually mounted in the
vehicle cabin, under the instrument panel, under the seat, behind the side kick panels or under the floor in the
footwell on the passenger side. Different control units are supplied for different vehicle applications.The TCU contains:
Processing logic circuits which include a central microcontroller and a back-up memory system.
Input circuits.
Output circuits which control external devices such as the variable pressure solenoid (VPS), on/off solenoid
drivers, a diagnostics output and the driving mode indicator light.
The various items which make up the TCU are discussed below.
Processing Logic
Shift schedule and calibration information is stored in an erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).
Throttle input calibration constants and the diagnostics information are stored in electrically erasable programmable
read only memory (EEPROM) that retains the memory even when power to the TCU is disconnected. In operation the software continuously monitors the input values and uses these, via the shift schedule, to determine the required gear state, At the same time it monitors, via the solenoid outputs, the current gear state. Whenever the
input conditions change such that the required gear state is different to the current gear state, the TCU initiates a
gear shift to bring the two states back into line.
Once the TCU has determined the type of gear shift required the software accesses the shift logic, estimates the
engine torque output, adjusts the variable pressure solenoid ramp pressure then executes the shift.
The TCU continuously monitors every input and output circuit for short or open circuits and operating range. When
a failure or abnormal operation is detected the TCU records the condition code in the diagnostics memory and
implements a limp mode, The actual limp mode used depends upon the failure detected with the object to maintain
maximum driveability without damaging the transmission. In general input failures are handled by providing a default
value. Output failures, which are capable of damaging the transmission, result in full limp mode giving only third or
fourth gear and reverse. For further details of limp modes and memory retention refer to the Diagnostic Section.
The TCU is designed to operate at ambient temperatures between -40 and 85°C . It is also protected against
electrical noise and voltage spikes, however all the usual precautions should be observed, for example when arc welding or jump starting. TCU Inputs
To function correctly, the TCU requires engine speed, road speed, transmission sump temperature, throttle position
and gear position inputs to determine the variable pressure solenoid current ramp and on/off solenoid states. This
ensures the correct gear selection and shift feel for all driving conditions. The inputs required by the TCU are as follows: Engine Speed
The engine speed signal is derived from the tachometer signal line, a dedicated sensor or a Controlled Area Network (CAN).
Road Speed
4WD (Diesel) - The shaft speed signal is derived from the speedo sensor located on the transfer case. This signal is transmitted directly to the TCU.
4WD (Gasoline) - The speedo sensor sends the shaft speed signal to the engine control module (ECM). The
information is then transferred to the TCU via the CAN.
Transmission Sump Temperature
The transmission sump temperature sensor is a thermistor located in the solenoid wiring loom within the transmission.
This sensor is a typical NTC resistor with low temperatures producing a high resistance and high temperatures
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 5A-25
producing a low resistance.
Temperature/Resistance characteristics and location within the solenoid wiring loom are given in tables 3-1 and 3- 2, and figures 3.2 and 3.3.
If the transmission sump temperature exceeds 135°C, the TCU will impose converter lock-up at lower vehicle
speeds and in some vehicles flashes the mode indicator lamp. This results in maximum oil flow through the
external oil cooler and eliminates slippage in the torque converter. Both these actions combine to reduce the oil
temperature in the transmission.
Connects To
Solenoid 1 Solenoid 2Solenoid 3Solenoid 4Solenoid 5 Solenoid 6 Solenoid 7Solenoid 5
Temp Sensor
Temp SensorWire Color Red
Blue
Yellow
Orange GreenViolet
Brown
Green White WhitePin No.
1 2345 6 789
10
Table 3.2 - Pin No. Codes for Temperature Sensor Location In Solenoid Loom
Figure 3.3 - Temperature Sensor Location in Solenoid Loom
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 5A-31
K-Line
The K-line is typically used for obtaining diagnostic information from the TCU. A computer with a special interface is
connected to the TCU and all current faults, stored faults, runtime parameters are then available. The stored faultcodes can also be cleared.
The K-line can be used for vehicle coding at the manufacturer’ s plant or in the workshop. This allows for one TCU
design to be used over different vehicle models. The particular code is sent to the microprocessor via the K line and
this results in the software selecting the correct shift and VPS ramp parameters. HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM
The hydraulic controls are located in the valve body, pump body and main case.The valve body contains the following:
Manual valve,
Three shift valves,
Sequence valve,
solenoid supply pressure regulator valve,
line pressure control valve,
clutch apply regulator valve,
band apply regulator valve,
S1 to S6, and
Reverse lockout valve.
The pump body contains the following:
Primary regulator valve for line pressure,
converter clutch regulator valve,
converter clutch control valve,
S7,and
C1 bias valve.
The main case contains the following:
B1R exhaust valve
The hydraulic control system schematic is shown at figure 3.7.
All upshifts are accomplished by simultaneously switching on a shift valve(s), switching VPS pressure to the band
and/or clutch regulator valve, and then sending the VPS a ramped current. The shift is completed by switching the
regulators off and at the same time causing the VPS to reach maximum . pressure. All downshifts are accomplished
by switching VPS pressure to the band and/or clutch regulator valve and sending a ramped current to the VPS. The
shift is completed by simultaneously switching the regulators off, switching the shift valves and at the same timecausing the VPS to return to stand-by pressure.
The primary regulator valve is located in the pump cover and supplies four line pressures; high and low for forward
gears, and high and low for reverse. This pressure has no effect on shift quality and merely provides static clutch
capacity during steady state operation. Low pressure can be obtained by activating an On/off solenoid with high line pressure being the default mode.
Torque converter lock-up is initiated by toggling the converter clutch control valve with an On/off solenoid. The actual apply and release of the clutch is regulated by the VPS via the converter clutch regulator valve. As an additionalsafety feature, the lock-up is hydraulically disabled in first and second gear by the bias valve which only supplies oilto the lock-up solenoid when C1 is applied in third and fourth gears. This prevents the vehicle from being renderedimmobile in the unlikely event of S7 becoming stuck.
The solenoid supply valve provides reference pressure for all the solenoids.