Part 1
Transaxle Operation
Transaxle Operation Overview
Torque Converter
This transaxle uses a torque converter with the following elements:
- Impeller
- Turbine
- Reactor
- Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
For component information, refer to Torque Converter Torque Converter.
Planetary Gearsets
Operation of this transaxle involves the use of the following planetary gearsets:
- Front
- Center
- Rear
Apply Clutches
This transaxle uses the following clutches to operate the 3 planetary gearsets:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Low/reverse clutch
- Low One-Way Clutch (OWC)
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch
- Intermediate (2, 6) clutch
- Overdrive (O/D) (4, 5, 6) clutch
For additional information about planetary gearsets or the apply clutches, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system of this transaxle consists of the following components:
- Transmission fluid pump with filter
- Main control assembly (valve body and solenoid body)
For component information, refer to Hydraulic System Hydraulic System.
Electronic Operation
The PCM controls the operation of the transaxle with the following solenoids:
- Line Pressure Control (LPC) solenoid
- Shift Solenoid A (SSA)
- Shift Solenoid B (SSB)
- Shift Solenoid C (SSC)
- Shift Solenoid D (SSD)
- Shift Solenoid E (SSE)
- TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) solenoid
For solenoid information, refer to Transaxle Electronic Control System Transaxle Electronic Control System.
Park Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Park pawl engaged, holding the final drive assembly stationary
- Low/reverse clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier assembly (splined to final drive assembly, held stationary by park pawl)
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Center ring gear (splined to rear planetary carrier)
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
- Rear ring gear (splined to front carrier)
Park Position Clutch Application Chart
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Park Position Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) .
- Fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve directs fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) hydraulic circuit. The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSD (Shift Solenoid D) applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE (Shift Solenoid E) applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
Park Position Solenoid Operation Chart
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
Reverse Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Low/reverse clutch applied
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear (does not contribute to power flow)
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Front planetary gearset held components:
- None
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Center ring
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
Reverse Position Clutch Application Chart
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Reverse Position Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure is supplied to the manual valve by the pump through the LINE hydraulic circuit.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) .
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) hydraulic circuit. The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSB (Shift Solenoid B) applies pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) regulator valve to apply the direct clutch.
- SSD (Shift Solenoid D) applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE (Shift Solenoid E) applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure supplied to the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve and the multiplex manual valve through the REV hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex manual valve directs REV pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve through the REV SUPPLY and C35R SUPPLY hydraulic circuits. To apply the direct (3, 5, R) clutch, SSB (Shift Solenoid B) applies varying solenoid pressure to the C35R clutch regulator and boost valves. As the C35R regulator valve moves, it supplies the direct (3, 5, R) clutch and C35R boost valve with regulated line pressure through the C35R circuit. The C35R boost valve directs the regulated line pressure to the opposite side of the C35R clutch regulator valve through the C35R FDBK circuit for gradual direct (3, 5, R) clutch engagement.
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the transmission fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
Reverse Position Solenoid Operation Chart
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
Neutral Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Low/reverse clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- None
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
Neutral Position Clutch Application Chart
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) .
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC (Line Pressure Control) hydraulic circuit. The LPC (Line Pressure Control) solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSD (Shift Solenoid D) applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE (Shift Solenoid E) applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
Neutral Position Solenoid Operation Chart
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
1st Gear Above 8 km/h (5 mph)
NOTE: The transaxle operates differently in 1st gear above and below 8 km/h (5 mph). For transaxle operation below 8 km/h (5 mph), refer to Manual LOW Position and 1st Gear Below 8 km/h (5 mph).
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Low one-way clutch
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Ring gear
- Planetary carrier
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Rear planetary carrier (does not contribute to power flow)
1st Gear Above 8 km/h (5 mph) Clutch Application Chart
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.