Transmission Valves and Pressure Regulator

Spool valves
Lands and valleys control fluid flow

Valves can be moved

Done by spring, lever or rod, or hydraulic pressure

Pressure regulator valve

Determines pressure in the system

Orifice restricts fluid flow

Also reduces pressure of moving fluid

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Hydraulic Valve Body

Valve body
Senses engine load and adjusts shift points and fluid pressure Usually bolted to bottom of transmission inside of the pan Spacer plate fits between transmission and valve body Manual control valve is attached to shift lever Shift quadrant tells the gear the transmission is in Shift order always PRNDL or PRNDD2L
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Transmission Automatic Shift Selection

Transmission selects correct gear range based on engine load and vehicle speed
Upshift: transmission shifts to higher gear Downshift: transmission shifts to lower gear

Throttle pressure
Results when engine vacuum changes

Governor pressure
Results from increase in vehicle speed

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Governor and Vacuum Modulator

Governor
Located on output shaft Variable-pressure relief valve Pressure is no greater than line pressure

Vacuum modulator valve

Controls throttle pressure Has diaphragm and hose fitting attached to vacuum source at intake manifold

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Kickdown Valve
Either manually operated by cable or electrically operated solenoid
Causes throttle pressure to go to highest point Spring loaded: extends from the valve body side
Contacts lever that applies it from outside the transmission

Bushings are made of bronze alloy or steel with soft bearing surface
Thrust washers control end play Snap rings maintain part position on a shaft
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Automatic Transmission Fluid and Automatic Transmission Cooling

ATF is oil
Specially formulated for automatic transmissions

Cooling
Transmission develops heat during operation Heat damages transmission fluid Most transmissions have a fluid cooler

Results of radiator heat exchanger leaks:

Engine running: ATF migrates into radiator Engine off: coolant migrates into transmission
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Auxiliary Cooler/Heat Exchanger and Park Pawl

Auxiliary cooler/heat exchanger
Added to motor homes and vehicles that pull trailers
Resembles small radiator Hooked into cooler line in series Installed before the radiator cooler

Park pawl
Lever that locks transmission output shaft when shift lever is in park

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electronic Automatic Transmissions and Operation

Shifts controlled by computer using engine load, vehicle speed, and other inputs
More precise control
Less expensive solenoids

Electronic transmission shifting

Driver shifts gears without assistance of a clutch
Manually overriding the computer

Computer decides shift points based on power output from the engine
Adaptive learning
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electronic Torque Converter Control

Torque converter clutch
Computer controlled Comes on after engine is warm Typical speed required for lockup is about 40 mph Engages if brake switch closed and throttle position sensor signal does not show a closed throttle

2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Electronic Pressure Control

Electronic pressure control (EPC) types
On/off variable force solenoids Pulse width modulated

Variable force solenoids

Electronic modulators

Pulse width modulation slides back and forth

Opening or closing a passage

Different types of solenoids are used

Depends on application
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Transmission Shift Control

Electronic shift control
Line pressure only No governor or modulator pressure Forward gears are controlled by computer Reverse only works when solenoids are off

Honda/Acura and Saturn use multiple-disc hydraulic clutches and shift solenoids
Gearing similar to manual transmission

Dual clutch transmissions (DCTs)

Being used by several manufacturers
2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning