Service Notice or Precautions

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. [Or, refer to TCM SELF-DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE (NO TOOLS)].
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. Refer to 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 fluid 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
If A/T fluid contains frictional material (clutches, bands, etc.), replace radiator and flush cooler line using cleaning solvent and compressed air after repair of A/T. Refer to RADIATOR.

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 on 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 ERASE DTC on AT-428 to complete the repair and avoid unnecessary blinking of the MIL. Reading Diagnostic Trouble Codes
^ 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.
^ park/neutral position (PNP) switch
*: For details of OBD-II, refer to ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM.
^ 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 How to Check Terminal.