FLUID AND FILTER
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
EFFECTS OF INCORRECT FLUID LEVEL
Alowfluidlevelallowsthepumptotakeinairalongwiththefluid.Airinthe fluid will cause fluid pressures to be
low and develop slower than normal. If the transmission is overfilled, thegears churn the fluid into foam. This aer-
ates the fluid and causing the same conditions occurring with a low level. In either case, air bubbles cause fluid
overheating, oxidation, and varnish buildup which interferes with valveand clutch operation. Foaming also causes
fluid expansion which can result in fluid overflow from the transmission vent or fill tube. Fluid overflow can easily be
mistaken for a leak if inspection is not careful.
CAUSES OF BURNT FLUID
Burnt, discolored fluid is a result of overheating which has three primarycauses.
1. Internal clutch slippage, usually caused by low line pressure, inadequate clutch apply pressure, or clutch seal
failure.
2. A result of restricted fluid flow through the main and/or auxiliary cooler. This condition is usually the result of a
faulty or improperly installed drainback valve, a damaged oil cooler, or severe restrictions in the coolers and lines
caused by debris or kinked lines.
3. Heavy duty operation with a vehicle not properly equipped for this type of operation. Trailer towing or similar high
load operation will overheat the transmission fluid if the vehicle is improperly equipped. Such vehicles should
have an auxiliary transmission fluid cooler, a heavy duty cooling system,and the engine/axle ratio combination
needed to handle heavy loads.
FLUID CONTAMINATION
Transmission fluid contamination is generally a result of:
adding incorrect fluid
failure to clean dipstick and fill tube when checking level
engine coolant entering the fluid
internal failure that generates debris
overheat that generates sludge (fluid breakdown)
failure to replace contaminated converter after repair
The use of non-recommended fluids can result in transmission failure. Theusual results are erratic shifts, slippage,
abnormal wear and eventual failure due to fluid breakdown and sludge formation. Avoid this condition by using rec-
ommended fluids only.
The dipstick cap and fill tube should be wiped clean before checking fluid level. Dirt, grease and other foreign mate-
rial on the cap and tube could fall into the tube if not removed beforehand. Take the time to wipe the cap and tube
clean before withdrawing the dipstick.
Engine coolant in the transmission fluid is generally caused by a cooler malfunction. The only remedy is to replace
the radiator as the cooler in the radiator is not a serviceable part. If coolant has circulated through the transmission,
an overhaul is necessary.
The torque converter should also be replaced whenever a failure generatessludge and debris. This is necessary
because normal converter flushing procedures will not remove all contaminants.
STANDARD PROCEDURE
FLUID LEVEL CHECK
Low fluid level can cause a variety of conditions because it allows the pumpto take in air along with the fluid. As
in any hydraulic system, air bubbles make the fluid spongy, therefore, pressures will be low and build up slowly.
Improper filling can also raise the fluid level too high. When the transmssion has too much fluid, the geartrain
churns up foam and cause the same conditions which occur with a low fluid level.
In either case, air bubbles can cause overheating and/or fluid oxidation,and varnishing. This can interfere with nor-
mal valve, clutch, and accumulator operation. Foaming can also result in fluid escaping from the transmission vent
where it may be mistaken for a leak.
After the fluid has been checked, seat the dipstick fully to seal out water and dirt.
The transmission has a dipstick to check oil level. It is located on the right side of the engine. Be sure to wipe all
dirt from dipstick handle before removing.
The torque converter fills in both the P(PARK) and N (NEUTRAL) positions. Place the selector lever in P (PARK)
to be sure that the fluid level check is accurate.The engine should be running at idle speed for at least one
minute, with the vehicle on level ground.At normal operating temperature (approximately 82° C. or 180° F), the
fluid level is correct if it is in the HOT region (cross-hatched area) on theoil level indicator. The fluid level will be
approximately at the upper COLD hole of the dipstick at 21° C (70° F) fluid temperature.
NOTE: Engine and Transmission should be at normal operating temperature before performing this proce-
dure.
1. Start engine and apply parking brake.
2. Shift the transmission into DRIVE for approximately 2 seconds.
3. Shift the transmission into REVERSE for approximately 2 seconds.
4. Shift the transmission into PARK.
5. Hook up scan tool andselect transmission.
6. Select sensors.
7. Read the transmission temperature value.
8. Compare the fluid temperature value with the chart.
9. Adjust transmission fluid level shown on the dipstick according to the Transmission Fluid Temperature Chart.
NOTE: After adding any fluid to the transmission, wait a minimum of 2 minutes for the oil to fully drain from
the fill tube into the transmission before rechecking the fluid level.
10. Check transmission for leaks.
FLUID AND FILTER REPLACEMENT
For proper service intervals (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES - DESCRIP-
TION).
REMOVAL
1. Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
2. Place a large diameter shallow drain pan beneath the transmission pan.
3. Remove bolts holding front and sides of pan to transmission.
4. Loosen bolts holding rear of pan to transmission.
5. Slowly separate front of pan away from transmission allowing the fluid to drain into drain pan.
6. Hold up pan and remove remaining bolts holding pan to transmission.
7. While holding pan level, lower pan away from transmission.
8. Pour remaining fluid in pan into drain pan.
9. Remove the screw holding the primary oil filter (1)
to valve body.
10. Separate filter from valve body and oil pump and
pour fluid in filter into drain pan.
11. Inspect the oil filter seal in the bottom of the oil
pump. If the seal is not installed completely in the
oil pump, or is otherwise damaged, then remove
and discard the oil filter seal from the bottom of
the oil pump. If the seal is installed correctly and
is in good condition, it can be reused.
12. If replacing the cooler return filter (2), use Oil Fil-
ter Wrench 8321 to remove the filter from the
transmission.
13. Dispose of used trans fluid and filter(s) properly.
INSPECTION
Inspect bottom of pan and magnet for excessive amounts of metal. A light coating of clutch material on the bottom
of the pan does not indicate a problem unless accompanied by a slipping condition or shift lag. If fluid and pan are
contaminated with excessive amounts of debris, refer to the diagnosis section of this group.
CLEANING
1. Using a suitable solvent, clean pan and magnet.
2. Using a suitable gasket scraper, clean original sealing material from surface of transmission case and the trans-
mission pan.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: The primary oil filter seal MUST be fully
installed flush against the oil pump body. DO NOT
install the seal onto the filter neck and attempt to
install the filter and seal as an assembly. Damage
to the transmission will result.
1. If necessary, install a new primary oil filter seal in
the oil pump inlet bore. Seat the seal in the bore
with a suitable tool (appropriately sized drift or
socket, the butt end of a hammer, or other suitable
tool).
2. Place replacement filter in position on valve body
and into the oil pump.
3. Install screw to hold the primary oil filter (1) to
valve body. Tighten screw to 4.5 Nꞏm (40 in. lbs.)
torque.
4. Install new cooler return filter (2) onto the transmission, if necessary. Torque the filter to 9.5 Nꞏm (7 ft.lbs.).
5. Place bead of Mopar
RTV sealant onto the transmission case sealing surface.
6. Place pan in position on transmission.
7. Install bolts to hold pan to transmission. Tighten bolts to 12 Nꞏm (105 in. lbs.) torque.
8. Lower vehicle and fill transmission with MOPAR
AT F + 4 .
TRANSMISSION FILL
To avoid overfilling transmission after a fluid change or overhaul, perform the following procedure:
1. Remove dipstick and insert clean funnel in transmission fill tube.
2. Add following initial quantity of Mopar
ATF+4totransmission:
a. If only fluid and filter were changed, add10 pints (5 quarts)of ATF +4 to transmission.
b. If transmission was completely overhauled and the torque converter wasreplaced or drained, add24 pints
(12 quarts)ofATF+4totransmission.
3. Check the transmission fluid (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/AUTOMATIC - RFE/FLUID - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE) and adjust as required.
SENSOR-INPUT SPEED
DESCRIPTION
The Input and Output Speed Sensors are two-wire magnetic pickup devices that generate AC signals as rotation
occurs. They are mounted in the left side of the transmission case and are considered primary inputs to the Trans-
mission Control Module (TCM).
OPERATION
The Input Speed Sensor provides information on how fast the input shaft is rotating. As the teeth of the input clutch
hub pass by the sensor coil, an AC voltage is generated and sent to the TCM. The TCM interprets this information
as input shaft rpm.
The Output Speed Sensor generates an AC signal in a similar fashion, thoughitscoilisexcitedbyrotationofthe
rear planetary carrier lugs. The TCM interprets this information as outputshaftrpm.
The TCM compares the input and output speed signals to determine the following:
Transmission gear ratio
Speed ratio error detection
CVI calculation
The TCM also compares the input speed signal and the engine speed signal to determine the following:
Torque converter clutch slippage
Torque converter element speed ratio
REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle.
2. Place a suitable fluid catch pan under the transmis-
sion.
3. Remove the wiring connector from the input speed
sensor (3).
4. Remove the bolt holding the input speed sensor to
the transmission case.
5. Remove the input speed sensor (3) from the trans-
mission case.
SENSOR-LINE PRESSURE
DESCRIPTION
The TCM utilizes a closed-loop system to control transmission line pressure. The system contains a variable force
style solenoid, the Pressure Control Solenoid, mounted on the side of the solenoid and pressure switch assembly.
The solenoid is duty cycle controlled by the TCM to vent the unnecessary line pressure supplied by the oil pump
back to the sump. The system also contains a variable pressure style sensor, the Line Pressure Sensor, which is a
direct input to the TCM. The line pressure solenoid monitors the transmission line pressure and completes the feed-
back loop to the TCM. The TCM uses this information to adjust its control of the pressure control solenoid to
achieve the desired line pressure.
OPERATION
The TCM calculates the desired line pressure based upon inputs from the transmission and engine. The TCM cal-
culates the torque input to the transmission and uses that information as the primary input to the calculation. The
line pressure is set to a predetermined value during shifts and when the transmission is in the PARK and NEUTRAL
positions. This is done to ensure consistent shift quality. During all other operation, the actual line pressure is com-
pared to the desired line pressure and adjustments are made to the pressurecontrol solenoid duty cycle.
REMOVAL
1. Raise vehicle.
2. Place a suitable fluid catch pan under the transmis-
sion.
3. Remove the wiring connector from the line pres-
sure sensor (2).
4. Remove the bolt holding the line pressure sensor
(2) to the transmission case.
5. Remove the line pressure sensor (2) from the
transmission case.
OPERATION
As the torque converter rotates, the converter hub rotates the oil pump drive gear. As the drive gear rotates both
driven gears, a vacuum is created when the gear teeth come out of mesh. This suction draws fluid through the
pump inlet from the oil pan. As the gear teeth come back into mesh, pressurized fluid is forced into the pump outlet
and to the oil pump valves.
At low speeds, both sides of the pump supply fluid to the transmission. As the speed of the torque converter
increases, the flow from both sides increases until the flow from the primary side alone is sufficient to meet system
demands. At this point, the check valve located between the two pumps closes. The secondary side is shut down
and the primary side supplies all the fluid to the transmission.
CONVERTER CLUTCH SWITCH VALVE
The converter clutch switch valve is used to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the front (OFF) side of the
torque converter clutch.
CONVERTER CLUTCH REGULATOR VALVE
The converter clutch regulator valve is used to control the hydraulic pressure supplied to the back (ON) side of the
torque converter clutch.
TORQUE CONVERTER LIMIT VALVE
The torque converter limit valve serves to limit the available line pressure to the torque converter clutch.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - OIL PUMP VOLUME CHECK
Measuring the oil pump output volume will determine if sufficient oil flowto the transmission oil cooler exists, and
whether or not an internal transmission failure is present.
Verify that the transmission fluid is at the proper level. Refer to the Fluid Level Check procedure in this section. If
necessary, fill the transmission to the proper level with Mopar
ATF +4, Automatic Transmission Fluid.
1. Disconnect theTo coolerline at the cooler inlet and place a collecting container under the disconnected line.
CAUTION: With the fluid set at the proper level, fluid collection should not exceed (1) quart or internal dam-
age to the transmission may occur.
2. Run the engineat 1800 rpm, with the shift selector in neutral. Verify that the transmission fluid temperature is
below 104.5° C (220° F) for this test.
3. If one quart of transmission fluid is collected in the container in 30 seconds or less, oil pump flow volume is
within acceptable limits. If fluid flow is intermittent, or it takes more than 30 seconds to collect one quart of fluid,
refer to the Hydraulic Pressure tests in this section for further diagnosis.
4. Re-connect theTo c o o l e rline to the transmission cooler inlet.
5. Refill the transmission to proper level.
SEAL-OIL PUMP FRONT
REMOVAL
1. Remove transmission from the vehicle.
2. Remove the torque converter from the transmission.
3. Usingascrewmountedinaslidehammer,removetheoilpumpfrontseal.
INSTALLATION
1. Clean seal bore of the oil pump of any residue or
particles from the original seal.
2. Install new oil seal in the oil pump housing using
Seal Installer C-3860-A (1).