• | Perform the road test using the Scan Tool Diagnostics. |
• | Perform this test only when traffic and road conditions permit. |
• | Observe all traffic safety regulations. |
Conduct the test according to the following steps:
- Start the engine.
- Depress the brake pedal.
Important: Gear selections should be immediate and not harsh.
- Move the gear selector between the following positions:
- Perform the same test procedure as instructed previously in the
road test:
• | Part Throttle Detent Downshift |
• | Full Throttle Detent Downshift |
• | Manual Gear Range Selection |
Using the scan tool, DTC INFO, see if any transmission malfunction codes
have been set. If so, refer to
Functional Test
. After
repairing the vehicle, perform the road test and verify that no codes have
been set again.
If no codes have been set and the condition remains, refer to Symptom
Tables.
If the condition is suspected to originate in the torque converter,
refer to
Torque Converter Clutch Evaluation and Diagnosis
.
Upshift Control and Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Apply
The PCM calculates the upshift points based primarily upon two inputs:
When the PCM indicates that a shift should occur, an electrical signal
is sent to the shift solenoids, which in turn move the valves to perform the
upshift.
The shift speed charts refer to THROTTLE ANGLE instead of MIN THROTTLE
or WOT in order to make shift speed measurement more uniform and accurate.
Monitor THROTTLE ANGLE by using the scan tool.
With gear selector in D4, perform the following steps:
- Refer to
Shift Speed
and choose a
throttle position of either 10% or 25%.
- Monitor the throttle position with the scan tool.
- Accelerate to the chosen throttle position. Hold the throttle
steady.
Important: Shift speeds may vary due to slight hydraulic delays in responding to
electronic controls. A change from the original equipment tire size also affects
shift speeds.
- As the transmission upshifts, note the shift speed for each of
the following gears:
- The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC/VCC) should apply in Third or
Fourth gear. Note when the TCC/VCC applies. If you do not notice the apply
by an RPM drop, refer to
Torque Converter Clutch Evaluation and Diagnosis
.
- Repeat steps 1-5 using several different throttle angles.
Part Throttle Detent Downshift
At vehicle speeds of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph)
in Fourth gear, quickly increase the throttle angle. Verify the following
results:
• | The transmission downshifts to 3rd gear immediately. |
• | The 1-2 Shift Solenoid valve turns OFF. |
• | The 2-3 Shift Solenoid valve remains ON. |
Full Throttle Detent Downshift
At vehicle speeds of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph)
in Fourth gear, quickly increase the throttle angle to its maximum position.
Verify the following results:
• | The transmission downshifts to 2nd gear immediately. |
• | The 1-2 and 2-3 Shift Solenoid valves turn OFF. |
Manual Downshifts
The shift solenoid valves do not control the initial downshift during
manual downshifts. All manual downshifts are hydraulic. The solenoid states
will change during, or shortly after, a manual downshift is selected.
- At vehicle speeds of 64-88 km/h (40-55 mph)
in Fourth gear, release the accelerator pedal while moving the gear selector
to D3. Observe the following results:
• | The transmission downshifts to 3rd gear immediately. |
- Move the gear selector back to D4 and accelerate to 64-72 km/h
(40-45 mph). Release the accelerator while moving the gear selector
to D2 and observe the following results:
• | The transmission immediately downshifts to 2nd gear. |
• | The engine slows the vehicle down. |
- Move the gear selector back to D4 and accelerate to 48 km/h
(30 mph). Release the accelerator pedal while moving the gear selector
to D1 and observe the following results:
• | The transmission immediately downshifts to 2nd gear, then to 1st
gear. |
• | The engine slows the vehicle down. |
Coasting Downshifts
- With the gear selector in D4, accelerate to 4th gear with the
TCC applied.
- Release the accelerator pedal and lightly apply the brakes. Observe
the following results:
• | Downshifts occur at speeds shown on the Shift Speed Chart. Refer
to
Shift Speed
. |
Manual Gear Range Selection
The shift solenoids control the upshifts in the manual gear ranges.
Perform the following tests by accelerating at 10-15 degrees
TPS.
Manual Third (D3)
With the vehicle stopped, move the gear selector to D3 and accelerate
in order to observe the following conditions:
Manual Second (D2)
• | With the vehicle stopped, move the gear selector to D2 and accelerate
in order to observe the 1-2 shift. |
• | Accelerate to 40 km/h (25 mph) and observe the following
conditions: |
- | The 2-3 shift does not occur. |
- | The TCC does not apply. |
Manual First (D1)
With the vehicle stopped, move the gear selector to D1. Accelerate to
32 km/h (20 mph) and observe the following conditions:
• | The TCC does not apply. |
Reverse (R)
With the vehicle stopped, move the gear selector to R and slowly accelerate
in order to observe the following conditions:
• | The 1-2 Shift Solenoid valve is ON. |
• | The 2-3 Shift Solenoid valve is OFF. |
Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Codes and repair the vehicle as directed.
After repairing the vehicle, road test the vehicle and verify that the code
did not set again.
If the transmission is still not performing well but no trouble codes
have set, there may be an intermittent condition. Check all electrical connections
for damage or a loose fit. This vehicle's diagnostic system is equipped with
a snapshot test which can help catch an intermittent condition that does not
occur long enough to set a code.
Refer to
Electronic Component Description
in order to become familiar with transmission conditions
caused by transmission electrical malfunctions.
If no trouble codes set and the condition is suspected to be hydraulic,
take the vehicle on a road test. Be sure to observe the following safety precautions: