Road Testing

Prior to performing a road test, verify that the fluid level, fluid condition, and linkage adjustment have been approved.

During the road test, the transaxle should be operated in each position to check for slipping and any variation in shifting.

If the vehicle operates properly at highway speeds, but has poor acceleration, the converter stator overrunning clutch may be slipping. If acceleration is normal, but high throttle opening is needed to maintain highway speeds, the converter stator clutch may have seized. Both of these stator defects require replacement of the torque converter and thorough transaxle cleaning.

An engine miss could be attributed to a cracked drive plate. A cracked drive plate could cause the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor signals to be out of synchronization. This could cause a no-start condition.

A slipping clutch will set a DTC 50-54 only and can be determined by operating the transaxle in all selector positions. Then comparing which internal units are applied in those positions. The Elements in Use Chart provides a basis for road test analysis.

The process of elimination can be used to detect any unit which slips and to confirm proper operation of good units. Road test analysis can diagnose slipping units, but the cause of the malfunction cannot be determined. Practically any condition can be caused by leaking hydraulic circuits or sticking valves.