Transmission/Transaxle External Controls
External ControlsCOMPONENT LOCATION
OVERVIEW
The automatic transmission external controls comprise a selector lever assembly and a transmission cable. The selector lever allows the driver to select forward or reverse gears and also to engage sport or manual "CommandShift TM" modes.
Movement of the selector lever is confirmed to the driver by illumination of the applicable position Light Emitting Diode (LED) on the selector lever trim finisher and by an applicable message displayed in the instrument cluster message center.
SELECTOR LEVER
NOTE: Right Hand (RH) drive version shown
The selector lever assembly is located in a central position on the transmission tunnel, between the front driver and passenger seats and is secured to the transmission tunnel with 4 bolts. The selector lever assembly is a non serviceable electro-mechanical assembly which is used by the driver to select the required transmission mode.
Selections made using the selector lever are passed to the transmission lever arm by a cable. A ball pin is attached to the lever mechanism and provides for the attachment of the cable.
There are five selector lever positions and two additional positions for manual "CommandShift TM" operation:
^ P (Park) - Prevents the vehicle from moving by locking the transmission
^ R (Reverse) - Select only when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is at idle
^ N (Neutral) - No torque transmitted to drive wheels
^ D (Drive) - This position uses all six forward gears
^ M/S (Sport Mode) - This position uses all forward gears in "D" but will upshift at higher engine speeds to improve acceleration and downshift at higher engine speed to give increased engine braking
^ + and - Manual ("CommandShift TM") mode - Movement of the selector lever in the +/- positions, when the lever is in the M/S position, will operate the transmission in manual ("CommandShift TM") mode allowing the driver to manually select all six forward gears.
The selector lever position is displayed to the driver on the selector position LED and in the instrument cluster. In "CommandShift TM" mode, if a gear is selected but the Transmission Control module (TCM) logic prevents selection of that gear, the requested gear will be initially displayed. The TCM will engage the next allowed gear and then display that gear.
Sensor Module
A sensor module is located on the LH side of the selector lever. The sensor module is an intelligent unit and controls the selector position LED operation and also the shift interlock solenoid operation. The sensor module comprises a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Hall effect sensors which detect the selected position of the selector lever (M/S and +/-) via a magnet located on the lever mechanism. The signals from the Hall sensors are passed from a connector on the sensor module to the TCM on a Local Interconnect Network (LIN) bus.
The sensor module main connector uses four pins for LIN bus, ground, power and neutral inputs and outputs. A second connector allows for the connection of a ribbon cable from the selector position LED for night illumination and position illumination. A third connector supplies power and ground connections to the shift interlock solenoid.
The sensor module also includes an optical sensor which determines that the selector lever is in the Park (P) position. The sensor is located behind the module housing and is not visible. Alignment marks on the sensor housing and the sensor arm must be aligned when the selector lever is in the Park (P) position. When these 2 marks are aligned the optical sensor/park position is correctly adjusted. This adjustment is set at the point of manufacture and does not require re-setting under normal operating conditions.
Sport/Manual ± "CommandShift TM"
The sensor module contains the hall effect sensors to activate the sport/manual mode and also the sensors which provide the +/signals. When the selector lever is moved to the manual/sport position, the magnet located in the selector lever mechanism is moved within proximity of the M/S hall effect sensor on the PCB. This provides the signal which is received by the TCM, which in turn initiates sport mode.
When the lever is moved to the + or - position, the magnet is moved within proximity of one of the hall effect sensors positioned either side of the M/S hall effect sensor. When an input from either the + or - sensors is received, manual "CommandShift TM" mode will be initiated. In this position a spring will move the selector lever back to the center position when released. To leave the "CommandShift TM" mode, return the lever to the "D" position.
Shift Interlock
The shift interlock solenoid is located on the LH side of the selector lever assembly. The solenoid operates two locking levers which engage with the lever mechanism and lock it in the Park (P) and Neutral (N) positions. When the ignition is off, the solenoid is de-energized, locking the selector lever in the Park (P) position. If the selector lever is in any position other than Park (P), the remote handset cannot be removed from the start control module until the lever is moved to the Park (P) position.
The shift interlock solenoid has a mechanical connection to the sensor module using a sensor arm. Movement of the solenoid is transferred via the sensor arm to the sensor module which detects the movement using an optical sensor. The sensor arm movement provides a confirmation to the sensor module that the solenoid is in its interlocked position. The sensor arm has a ratchet adjustment for alignment of the optical sensor and is factory set and must not be adjusted.
The shift interlock solenoid locks the selector lever in the park position or the neutral position to prevent inadvertent selections on the selector lever. The interlock is released when the ignition is on and the driver presses the brake pedal. A signal from the brake switch is passed on the high speed Controller Area Network (CAN) bus to the TCM and is then passed on the LIN bus to the sensor module. On receipt of this signal the sensor module logic energizes the solenoid if in the Park (P) position or de-energizes the solenoid if in the Neutral (N) position, releasing the interlock mechanism.
If the selector lever is left in the "N" position for more than 3 seconds, the solenoid will be energized and the selector lever will become locked in the "N" position. To move the selector lever from the "N" position in this condition, the foot brake must be applied. This prevents the selector lever from being moved to the "D" or "R" position unintentionally and the application of the brakes also prevents the vehicle "creeping" when the gear is engaged. Movement of the selector lever from the R or "N" positions is also prevented if the TCM senses the engine speed is above 2500 rev/min, even if the brake pedal is depressed.
If a fault occurs with the shift interlock solenoid, the sensor module, the brake switch or associated wiring, an emergency release lever is provided to disconnect the interlock mechanism. The emergency release lever can be accessed by using a tool to remove the selector lever trim finisher from the floor console. The finisher can be lifted to gain access to the release lever which is located at the front the selector lever assembly and is colored yellow for identification.
NOTE: The selector lever cannot be moved from the "Park" position if the ignition is switched off unless the emergency release lever is used.
TRANSMISSION CABLE
The transmission cable assembly is a one-piece, push/pull cable connected between the transmission and the selector lever.
The selector lever end of the cable has an adjustable eye end which locates on a ball pin on the selector lever. An abutment on the cable outer sheath locates in an aperture at the front of the selector lever shift housing.
A fireproof grommet seal is positioned approximately half way along the length of the cable and seals the cable through a hole in the bulkhead.
The transmission end of the cable also has an eye end which locates on a ball pin on the end of the transmission lever arm. An abutment on the outer sheath locates in a bracket attached to the top of the transmission.
Linear movement of the selector lever is transferred, via the inner cable, into movement of the transmission lever arm. The lever arm converts the linear movement of the selector cable into rotary movement of the manual shaft in the transmission.
Cable Setting Procedure
The correct cable adjustment is achieved by use of a yellow button in the selector lever arm eye end. The setting process is to ensure that the transmission is in Park (P) and the selector lever is in its detente park position. This can be checked by selecting the Park (P) position and with the park brake released, rocking the vehicle forward and back to ensure that the transmission parking pawl is engaged.
Once the cable is in the correct position, the yellow setting button can be engaged with the serrated portion of the cable. Access to the setting button is through the aperture in the upper face of the shift housing.
The cable should be reset whenever any part of the transmission shift system has been disturbed or replaced, including the transmission, operating arms, abutment brackets cables or selector lever assembly.