Transaxle Refinements

TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS)
The Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) is located on top of the valve body. This replaces the gear position switch and the Transmission Range Switch. The TRS allows for accurate transaxle gear position measurement.

Also located within the sensor is a separate Transmission Temperature Sensor. This sensor measures the transmission fluid sump temperature. The temperature sensor is serviced with the TRS as a unit.

The TRS sends a signal to the TCM on the position of the transaxle manual valve lever. The TCM receives the switch signal and processes the data. The TCM sends the Shift Lever Position (SLP) information to the Body Control Module (BCM) over the CCD Bus. The BCM then illuminates the appropriate shifter position indicator in the instrument cluster.

4TH MOUNT CASE (NS)
The 41TE transaxle for 1995 1/2 requires a 4-point engine/transmission mounting system. Previously, these models used a 3-point setup. The casting change (3 bosses on top of the differential case) were incorporated early in 1995 for 3.3L engines. This casting change will affect some past models with ABS. The 3.0L case does not get the 4th mount and the 2.2L and 2.5L case castings have always had the 4th mount case feature.
- 3.3L/3.8L Case = 4567013 (3 mount), 4567533 (4 mount)
- Case casting = 4539572 (3 mount), 4567534 (4 mount)

Upgraded Differential
The differential was changed to improve durability of the left hand side differential bearing. The changes are listed below:
- Differential bearing retainer - Bearing bore increased in diameter for larger bearing. Flange thickness has also increased by 2mm.
- Differential bearing retainer bolt - Longer bolt and a 360 degree patch to seal the thru tapped holes in the case.
- Cup and cone - Larger diameter left hand side differential bearing cup and cone.
- Oil dam - Left hand side bearing baffle to match the bearing cone.
- Select differential bearing retainer shim - Select fit differential bearing shims for bearing preload.
- Case - Thru-tapped differential bearing retainer holes for the longer bolts.
- Differential assembly - Differential hub size change to accommodate the larger bearing.
- Reduced differential backlash.

VALVE BODY ENHANCEMENTS
Several changes have been made to the valve body that one should be aware of when servicing the hydraulic system on 41 TE transaxles. The major changes are the addition of two new valves:
- Low reverse switch valve - This has taken the place of the #1 checkball. The reason for the change was to provide a more positive design and to avoid the possibility of a sticking check ball. In pre-96 designs, the check ball had a tendency to stick. Hence, the incorporation of the new switch valve was necessary.
- Torque converter limit valve - The x1 orifice has been eliminated and a small undercut was machined into the limit valve that provides a constant bleed to the converter.

TCC Valve
The torque converter control valve was modified to delete the function of regulating the flow to the torque converter when the converter clutch is not applied. The modification was made to reduce the stickiness tendencies which could occur when fluid from the torque converter was routed through the valve.

The valve switches the direction of fluid flow when the converter clutch is applied and vents the release side of the torque converter clutch.

OVERDRIVE SHAFT
A thicker section overdrive shaft has been added for improved strength along with a thin wall shaft bushing and a thinner wall front sun gear bushing. When replaced together the new overdrive shaft assembly and sun gear assembly will replace the old.

REAR CARRIER
Changes to the cup and plate of the rear carrier allowed a stronger 360 degree weld instead of the previous segmented weld.