Service Notice or Precautions

FAIL-SAFE
The TCM has an electronic Fail-Safe (limp home mode). This allows the vehicle to be driven even if a major electrical input/output device circuit is damaged.
Under Fail-Safe, the vehicle always runs in third gear, even with a shift lever position of "1 ""2" or "D". The customer may complain of sluggish or poor acceleration.
When the ignition key is turned "ON" following Fail-Safe operation, O/D OFF indicator lamp blinks for about 8 seconds. (For "TCM SELF-DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE (No Tools)".)
Fail-Safe may occur without electrical circuit damage if the vehicle is driven under extreme conditions (such as excessive wheel spin followed by sudden braking). To recover normal shift pattern, turn the ignition key "OFF" for 5 seconds, then "ON".
The blinking of the O/D OFF indicator lamp for about 8 seconds will appear only once and be cleared The customer may resume normal driving conditions.
Always follow the "WORK FLOW" ). The SELF-DIAGNOSIS results will be as follows:
The first SELF-DIAGNOSIS will indicate damage to the vehicle speed sensor or the revolution sensor. During the next SELF-DIAGNOSIS, performed after checking the sensor, no damages will be indicated.

TORQUE CONVERTER SERVICE
The torque converter should be replaced under any of the following conditions:
- External leaks in the hub weld area.
- Converter hub is scored or damaged.
- Converter pilot is broken, damaged or fits poorly into crankshaft.
- Steel particles are found after flushing the cooler and cooler lines.
- Pump is damaged or steel particles are found in the converter.
- Vehicle has TCC shudder and/or no TCC apply. Replace only after all hydraulic and electrical diagnoses have been made. (Converter clutch material may be glazed.)
- Converter is contaminated with engine coolant containing antifreeze.
- Internal failure of stator roller clutch.
- Heavy clutch debris due to overheating (blue converter).
- Steel particles or clutch lining material found in fluid filter or on magnet when no internal parts in unit are worn or damaged - indicates that lining material came from converter.

The torque converter should not be replaced if:
- The oil has an odor, is discolored, and there is no evidence of metal or clutch facing particles.
- The threads in one or more of the converter bolt holes are damaged.
- Transaxle failure did not display evidence of damaged or worn internal parts, steel particles or clutch plate lining material in unit and inside the fluid filter.
- Vehicle has been exposed to high mileage (only). The exception may be where the torque converter clutch dampener plate lining has seen excess wear by vehicles operated in heavy and/or constant traffic, such as taxi, delivery or police use.

ATF COOLER SERVICE
Replace ATF cooler if excessive foreign material is found in oil pan or clogging strainer.
Replace radiator lower tank (which includes ATF cooler) with a new one and flush cooler line using cleaning solvent and compressed air.

OBD-II SELF-DIAGNOSIS
- A/T self-diagnosis is performed by the TCM in combination with the ECM. The results can be read through the blinking pattern of the O/D OFF indicator or the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Refer to the table for the indicator used to display each self-diagnostic result.
- The self-diagnostic results indicated by the MIL are automatically stored in both the ECM and TCM memories.
Always perform the procedure "HOW TO CLEAR DTC" to complete the repair and avoid unnecessary blinking of the MIL.
- The following self-diagnostic items can be detected using ECM self-diagnostic results mode* only when the O/D OFF indicator lamp does not indicate any malfunctions.

- PNP switch
- A/T 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear function
- A/T TCC S/V function (lock-up).

*: For details of OBD-II, refer to ("ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM DESCRIPTION").

- Certain systems and components, especially those related to OBD, may use a new style slide-locking type harness connector. For description and how to disconnect, refer to "Description", "HARNESS CONNECTOR".