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Home >> Mercury >> 1999 >> Sable V6-3.0L DOHC VIN S >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Transmission Control Systems >> Testing and Inspection >> Component Tests and General Diagnostics >> AX4N >> Transmission Range (TR) Sensor Testing

Transmission Range (TR) Sensor Testing

Rotunda TR/MLP Sensor Tester Overlay:




Digital Transmission Range (TR) Sensor:





Introduction

CAUTION: Do not attempt to pry off transaxle harness connector with a screwdriver. This will damage the connector and could result in a transaxle concern.

The transmission tester allows you to test the digital TR or analog TR sensors independent of the vehicle electronics. TR sensor testing is divided into five steps:
1. Preliminary testing and diagnosis.
2. Install the transmission tester.
3. Testing the TR sensor.
4. Voltage Tests-Park/Neutral, Backup Circuits and Optional Circuits.
5. Testing TR sensor range indicator circuit for instrument cluster.
6. Removing the transmission tester and clearing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
Installing the transmission tester at the transaxle harness connector allows the separation of the TR sensor electronics from the vehicle electronics.
Testing may cause additional Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to be set. Therefore, it is important that you erase all DTCs whenever you make repairs. To verify elimination of all DTCs, rerun On-Board Diagnostics.

Preliminary Testing and Diagnosis
Before you start testing, perform the following preliminary checks. Be sure to write down your findings, especially any DTCs, for future reference.
1. Know and understand the customer's concern.
2. Verify that TR sensor is properly adjusted in NEUTRAL.
3. Verify customer concern (e.g. when does it occur?):
- upshift
- downshift
- coasting
- engagement
If concern involves noise or vibration, does relate to any of the following:
- rpm
- vehicle speed
- shift
- gear
- range
- temperature
4. Vehicle must be at normal operating temperature.
5. Check transmission fluid level and condition.
6. Check for the following items:
- vehicle modifications
- electronic add-on-items
- leaks
- proper linkage adjustments
7. Check TSBs for related information.
8. Perform complete On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) for both KOEO and KOER.
9. Record all DTCs.
10. Repair all non-transaxle DTCs.

Installation Procedures

NOTE: Determine the type or TR sensor being used by identifying the actuator portion of the TR sensor behind the manual shaft lever. The black actuator portion is an Analog type sensor. The tan actuator portion is a Digital type sensor. For digital and analog type TR sensors.
1. Disconnect vehicle harness at transaxle TR sensor.
2. Set the two-way switch in the down position. (This switch will stay in the same position for all TR sensor testing.)





3. Attach the TR/ALP sensor overlay to the transmission tester.
Affixing the overlay will immobilize the two-way switch (set in Step 2) so it cannot be accidentally moved to an incorrect setting during testing.




Transmission Range (TR) Sensor Interface Cable E:





4. Select and connect the interface cable E to Tester and blue end for analog TR sensors to TR connector.
5. Set analog/digital switch on TR-E cable to analog.
Use the transmission tester extender cable when running tests with the transaxle on the vehicle.





6. CAUTION: Route all cables away from heat sources to prevent damage to cables during testing.

Turn large dial to TR/ALP SENSOR TEST.
7. Plug transmission tester power cable into cigar lighter socket.
All LEDs should light for a short period and then turn off. This is the tester's internal circuit check.
Static testing procedures allow for shop testing of the TR sensor on the vehicle or on the bench. Completion of these tests prove out the TR sensor electronically.

CAUTION: For resistance checks be sure that the LARGE DIAL is set to TR/MLP SENSOR TEST or damage to the ohmmeter could result.

Resistance/Continuity Tests
1. Set ohmmeter to 20K ohms.
2. Connect ohmmeter COM jack to SIG RTN jack.
3. Connect ohmmeter POS lead to TR jack. LED turns OFF when circuit is open.
4. Record resistance in every gear position while moving the transaxle range selector lever to each position.

TR SENSOR RESISTANCE RANGES - 1 Of 2:




TR SENSOR RESISTANCE RANGES - 2 Of 2:





5. Refer to the table.
6. If values are out of range, refer to Pinpoint Test D.

Voltage Tests-Park/Neutral, Backup Lamp and Optional Circuits




NOTE: LED lights red when circuit is closed. LED turns off when circuit is open.

1. Press and hold each test button while moving the shift lever to each gear position.
2. Monitor each STATUS LED:
The LED in the appropriate gear position you are retesting should light red.
If the LED for the applicable gear position fails to light red, or if it lights for a position other than the gear selected:
- Verify shift linkage adjustment with transaxle range selector lever in the OVERDRIVE position.
- Verify TR adjustment in the NEUTRAL position.
- Retest.

3. If the sensor fails, replace it.
After you finish testing, continue to Transmission Tester Removal and Clearing DTCs.
4. If sensor is OK, refer to the diagnosis of starter, backup lamps and optional circuits.

Testing TR Sensor Range Circuits (Illuminated Instrument Panel Only)
Using cable E, perform the following test steps for diagnosis of the transmission range selection instrument panel circuits.

CAUTION: Be sure that the correct 1 2-pin sensor connector is connected to the proper sensor. If the wrong connection is made or the slide switch is in the wrong position, the LEDs on the TR position cable will give a false or no response during testing. This will cause the replacement of good parts.

1. Place vehicle transaxle range selector lever into PARK.
2. Move transaxle range selector lever through all ranges.
3. Monitor the instrument panel status lights located in the TR sensor E cable. The LED should illuminate red for the appropriate range selected.





4. If the LED for the applicable gear range position fails to illuminate red or if it lights for a position other than the gear selected:
- verify test cable connections at sensor and tester.
- verify transmission shift linkage for proper adjustment.
- verify TR sensor for proper adjustment.
- retest.
- use the blue connector for analog systems
- use the black connector for digital systems
- set the slide switch to match the system (analog/digital)
5. If the sensor still fails to illuminate the LED red for the selected gear range or indicates incorrect gear position, replace it.
6. If the sensor is OK, refer to diagnosis of instrument panel and vehicle harness.





Digital Transmission Range TR Sensor Testing
1. Attach the Digital TR Sensor Overlay 007-00131 to the transmission tester.
Affixing the overlay will immobilize the two-way switch (set in Step 2) so it cannot be accidentally moved to an incorrect setting during testing.





2. Select and connect interface cable "E" 418-F107 (007-00111) to the tester and then black connector (digital) to TR sensor.





3. CAUTION: Route all cable away from heat sources to prevent damage to cables during testing.

Set analog/digital switch on TR-E cable to digital.
Use the transmission tester extender cable when running tests with the transmission on the vehicle.





4. Turn the large dial to DIGITAL TR SENSOR TEST.

5. CAUTION: For resistance checks, be sure that the tester selector switch is set to the TR SENSOR TEST position or damage to the ohmmeter may result.

Plug the transmission tester power cable into cigar lighter socket. All LEDs should light for a short period and then turn off. This is the Tester's internal circuit check.

Sensor Test

CAUTION: Be sure that the DIGITAL 12 pin sensor cable connector (black) is used. If the wrong connection is made or the slide switch is in the wrong position, the LEDs on the TR cable will give false or no response during testing. This will cause the replacement of good parts.

1. Place selector lever into PARK.
2. Ensure that the "E" cable ANALOG/DIGITAL switch is set to DIGITAL.
3. Move the selector lever through all ranges.
4. Monitor the LEDs, located on the "E" cable, in each gear position. The LED should illuminate RED for the appropriate range selected.
5. If the LED for the applicable gear range position fails to illuminate RED or if it lights for a position other than the gear selected:
- Verify test cable connections at sensor and tester.
- Verify transmission shift linkage for proper adjustment.
- Verify digital TR sensor for proper adjustment.
- Reset.
6. If the sensor still fails to illuminate the LED RED for the selected gear range or indicates incorrect gear position, replace it.

Switch Tests-Park/Neutral, Backup Lamp and Optional Circuits





NOTE: LED lights red when circuit is closed.
LED turns off when the circuit is open.
1. Press and hold each test button while moving the selector lever to each gear position.
2. Monitor each STATUS LED:
a. The LED in the appropriate gear position being tested should light red.
b. If the LED for the applicable gear position fails to light red, or if it lights for a position other than the gear selected:
(1) Verify digital TR alignment.
(2) Retest.
3. If the digital TR sensor fails, replace it. After testing is finished, follow the Disconnecting The Tester procedure.

Disconnecting the Tester

1. CAUTION: Do not attempt to pry off connectors with a screwdriver. This will damage the connector and could result in a transaxle concern.

Disconnect transmission tester from transaxle connector.
2. Reinstall vehicle wiring harness. Verify connection by pulling up on the harness.
3. Reinstall all heat shields that were previously removed.
4. Disconnect transmission tester power cable from vehicle.
5. Erase all DTCs.
6. Rerun On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) to receive a pass code.
7. Verify that the customer concern has been eliminated.






Pinpoint Test D-TR Sensor Testing-Enhancement





Digital Transmission Range (TR) Sensor

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