Shift Point Road Test
Road Testing VehicleNOTE: Always drive the vehicle in a safe manner according to driving conditions and obey all traffic laws.
The shift point road test and torque converter clutch operation test provides diagnostic information on transmission shift controls and torque converter operation.
Shift Point Road Test
This test verifies that the shift control system is operating correctly.
1. Bring the engine and transaxle up to normal operating temperature.
2. Operate the vehicle with the transaxle range selector lever in the (D) position.
3. Apply minimum throttle and observe the speeds at which upshift occurs and torque converter engages. Refer to the following shift speed table.
CAUTION: Do not exceed posted speed limits when carrying out this test.
NOTE: Shift speed ranges are approximate for all applications.
Shift Speed
4. Coasting 2-1 downshift procedure: accelerate the vehicle from a stop to 19 - 24 km/h (12 - 15 mph). Release the accelerator, and coast down or lightly brake the vehicle. The coast downshift may be nearly imperceptible to the driver.
5. With the vehicle in (D) (4th gear), depress the transmission control switch. The transaxle should downshift to third gear. Remove foot from the accelerator pedal; engine braking should occur. The torque converter clutch will not reapply with closed throttle. Depending on vehicle speed, the torque converter clutch should disengage and then reapply after the accelerator pedal has been pressed.
6. Depress the accelerator pedal to the floor. Depending on vehicle speed, the transaxle should shift from third to second gear, or third to first.
7. With the vehicle in (D) range above 80 km/h (50 mph) and less than half throttle, move the transaxle range selector lever from (D) range to manual 2 range and remove foot from the accelerator pedal. The transaxle should immediately downshift into second gear. With the vehicle remaining in manual 2 range, move the transaxle range selector lever into manual 1 range and release the accelerator pedal. The transaxle should downshift into first gear at speeds below 48 - 56 km/h (28 - 32 mph) for 3.0L engine and 43 km/h (27 mph) for the 2.3L engine.
8. If the transaxle fails to upshift/downshift or the torque converter does not apply and release, refer to Diagnosis By Symptom for possible causes. [1][2]Diagnostic Routines