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Road Test

  1. Ensure shift linkage or cable is properly adjusted, fluid level and condition are okay. Add fluid and adjust shift linkage or cable as necessary.
  2. Road test vehicle, operating transaxle in each gear range. Check for slipping and any variation in shifting.
  3. If vehicle operates properly at highway speeds, but has poor acceleration, torque converter stator clutch may be slipping. If acceleration through all gears is normal, but high throttle opening is required to maintain highway speeds, torque converter stator clutch may be seized. Torque converter must be replaced if stator clutch is defective.
  4. Slipping or flare-up in any gear usually indicates clutch, band or overrunning clutch problems. Slipping clutch or band in a particular gear can usually be identified by noting transaxle operation in other gear selector lever positions and comparing which internal units are applied in those positions. See CLUTCH & BAND APPLICATION  table.
  5. Rear clutch is applied in Drive (1st gear) and in manual 1st gear. Also, overrunning clutch is applied in Drive (1st gear) and low-reverse band is applied in manual 1st gear. If transaxle slips in Drive (1st gear), but does not slip in manual 1st gear, overrunning clutch is defective. If transaxle slips in any 2 forward gears, rear clutch is slipping.
  6. If transaxle slips in Drive (3rd gear), either front or rear clutch is slipping. Select another gear which utilizes one of these clutches and determine which clutch is slipping. See CLUTCH & BAND APPLICATION  table. If transaxle also slips in Reverse, front clutch is slipping. If transaxle does not slip in Reverse, rear clutch is slipping.
  7. Process of elimination can be used to detect any component which slips and to confirm proper operation of good components. However, although road test analysis can usually diagnose slipping components, actual malfunction usually cannot be decided. Practically any condition can be caused by leaking hydraulic circuits or sticking valves. Hydraulic pressure tests should be performed on transaxle.
CLUTCH & BAND APPLICATION

Gear Selector Lever Position (1) Elements In Use
"D" (Drive)
1st Gear Rear Clutch & Overrunning Clutch
2nd Gear Rear Clutch & Kickdown Band
3rd Gear Front Clutch, Rear Clutch & Torque Converter Clutch
"2" (Second)
1st Gear Rear Clutch & Overrunning Clutch
2nd Gear Rear Clutch & Kickdown Band
"1" (Low) 1st Gear Rear Clutch & Low-Reverse Band
"R" (Reverse) Front Clutch & Low-Reverse Band
"N" (Neutral) All Clutches & Bands Released Or Ineffective
"P" (Park) All Clutches & Bands Released Or Ineffective
(1) Kickdown band is front band and low-reverse band is rear band.