Part 1
Transaxle Operation
Transaxle Operation Overview
Torque Converter
This transaxle uses a torque converter with the following elements:
- Impeller
- Turbine
- Reactor
- Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
For component information, refer to Torque Converter Description and Operation.
Planetary Gearsets
Operation of this transaxle involves the use of the following planetary gearsets:
- Front
- Center
- Rear
Apply Clutches
This transaxle uses the following clutches to operate the 3 planetary gearsets:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Low/reverse clutch
- Low One-Way Clutch (OWC)
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch
- Intermediate (2, 6) clutch
- Overdrive (O/D) (4, 5, 6) clutch
For additional information about planetary gearsets or the apply clutches, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Hydraulic System
The hydraulic system of this transaxle consists of the following components:
- Transmission fluid pump with filter
- Transmission fluid filler tube with transmission fluid level indicator
- Main control assembly (valve body and solenoid body)
For component information, refer to Hydraulic System Hydraulic System.
Electronic Operation
The PCM controls the operation of the transaxle with the following solenoids:
- Line Pressure Control (LPC) solenoid
- Shift Solenoid A (SSA)
- Shift Solenoid B (SSB)
- Shift Solenoid C (SSC)
- Shift Solenoid D (SSD)
- Shift Solenoid E (SSE)
- TCC solenoid
For solenoid information, refer to Transaxle Electronic Control System Description and Operation.
Park Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Park pawl engaged, holding the final drive assembly stationary
- Low/reverse clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier assembly (splined to final drive assembly, held stationary by park pawl)
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Center ring gear (splined to rear planetary carrier)
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
- Rear ring gear (splined to front carrier)
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Park Position Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC.
- Fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSD applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
Reverse Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Low/reverse clutch applied
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear (does not contribute to power flow)
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Front planetary gearset held components:
- None
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Center ring
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Reverse Position Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure is supplied to the manual valve by the pump through the LINE hydraulic circuit.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC .
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSB applies pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) regulator valve to apply the direct clutch.
- SSD applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure supplied to the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve and the multiplex manual valve through the REV hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex manual valve directs REV transmission fluid to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve through the REV SUPPLY and C35R SUPPLY hydraulic circuits. The (3, 5, R) regulator valve is controlled by SSB and applies regulated C35R SUPPLY pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch.
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the transmission fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
Neutral Position
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Low/reverse clutch applied
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- None
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Planetary carrier
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC.
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSD applies pressure to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve to apply the low/reverse clutch.
- SSE applies pressure to the multiplex shift valve to position the valve against the spring and direct regulated CBLR/C456 SUPPLY pressure to the low/reverse clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve.
- Regulated line pressure from the low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) regulator valve is sent to the multiplex shift valve assembly through the CBLR/C456 SUPPLY hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs the fluid to the low/reverse clutch through the CBLR hydraulic circuit.
For additional hydraulic circuit information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
1st Gear Above 5 km/h (3 mph)
NOTE: The transaxle operates differently in 1st gear above and below 5 km/h (3 mph). For transaxle operation below 5 km/h (3 mph), refer to Manual LOW Position and 1st Gear Below 5 km/h (3 mph).
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Low one-way clutch
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Ring gear
- Planetary carrier
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- None
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
Center planetary gearset held components:
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Rear planetary carrier (does not contribute to power flow)
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the manual valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC.
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSA applies pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve to apply the forward clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve through the DRIVE 1 hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs DRIVE 1 pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve through the DRIVE 2, CB26FD/CB1234FD and CB1234 SUP hydraulic circuits.
- The low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) clutch regulator valve directs DRIVE 2 pressure to the multiplex shift valve through the VALVE LATCH hydraulic circuit to latch the multiplex shift valve.
- Regulated CB1234 SUP pressure from the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve is directed to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch through the CB1234 hydraulic circuit to apply the clutch.
For additional hydraulic circuit and information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
2nd Gear
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Intermediate (2, 6) clutch
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
Center planetary gearset held components:
- None
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the manual valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC.
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSA applies pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve to apply the forward clutch.
- SSC applies pressure to the intermediate (2, 6) clutch regulator valve to apply the intermediate clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve through the DRIVE 1 hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs DRIVE 1 pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch and the intermediate (2, 6) clutch regulator valves through the DRIVE 2 and CB26FD/CB1234FD hydraulic circuits. The CB26FD/CB1234FD circuit feeds the CB1234 SUP hydraulic circuit which feeds the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve.
- The low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) clutch regulator valve directs DRIVE 2 pressure to the multiplex shift valve through the VALVE LATCH hydraulic circuit to latch the multiplex shift valve.
- Regulated DRIVE 2 pressure from the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve is directed to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch through the CB1234 hydraulic circuit to apply the clutch.
- Regulated DRIVE 2 pressure from the intermediate (2, 6) clutch regulator valve is directed to the intermediate (2, 6) clutch through the CB26 hydraulic circuit to apply the clutch.
For additional hydraulic circuit and information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
3rd Gear Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Released
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
Center planetary gearset held components:
- None
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- None
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the manual valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is released, CONV FD pressure is directed to the TCC RELEASE circuit by the TCC control valve. Pressure from the TCC RELEASE circuit releases the TCC.
- Transmission fluid from the TCC RELEASE returns to the TCC control valve through the TCC APPLY circuit.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit (return circuit from the torque converter when the TCC is released) to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSA applies pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve to apply the forward clutch.
- SSB applies pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve to apply the direct clutch.
Clutch hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve through the DRIVE 1 hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs DRIVE 1 pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve through the DRIVE 2, CB26FD/CB1234FD and CB1234 SUP hydraulic circuits. The DRIVE 2 hydraulic circuit also feeds the C35R SUPPLY hydraulic circuit which supplies the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve with pressure.
- The low/reverse/overdrive (4, 5, 6) clutch regulator valve directs DRIVE 2 pressure to the multiplex shift valve through the VALVE LATCH hydraulic circuit to latch the multiplex shift valve.
- Regulated CB1234 SUP pressure from the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve is directed to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch through the CB1234 hydraulic circuit to apply the clutch.
- Regulated C35R SUPPLY pressure from the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve is directed to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch through the C35R hydraulic circuit to apply the clutch.
For additional hydraulic circuit and information, refer to Hydraulic Circuits Hydraulic Circuits.
Electrical Operation
Solenoid operation:
NC = Normally closed
NH = Normally high
NL = Normally low
3rd Gear TCC Applied
Mechanical Operation
Apply components:
- Forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch
- Direct (3, 5, R) clutch
- TCC
Planetary Gearset Operation
Front planetary gearset driven components:
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Center planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Rear planetary gearset driven components:
- Sun gear
- Planetary carrier
- Ring gear
Front planetary gearset held components:
- Sun gear
Center planetary gearset held components:
- None
Rear planetary gearset held components:
- None
For component information, refer to Mechanical Components and Functions Mechanical Components and Functions.
Power Flow
Hydraulic Operation
Line pressure hydraulic circuits:
- Line pressure from the pump is supplied to the manual valve.
- Line pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator valve.
- The pressure regulator valve is controlled by varying pressure from the LPC solenoid through the LPC circuit.
Torque converter circuits:
- Line pressure from the manual valve is directed to the multiplex shift valve through the DRIVE 1 hydraulic circuit.
- The multiplex shift valve directs DRIVE 1 pressure to the TCC regulator apply valve through the DRIVE 2 hydraulic circuit.
- When the TCC is applied, the TCC regulator apply valve directs regulated DRIVE 2 pressure to the TCC control valve through the REG APPLY hydraulic circuit. The TCC control valve directs DRIVE 2 pressure to the TCC APPLY hydraulic circuit to apply the TCC.
- Transmission fluid from the TCC APPLY circuit returns to the TCC control valve unpressurized through the TCC RELEASE circuit and returns to the sump through the EXH port.
Cooler and lubrication hydraulic circuits:
- Regulated line pressure from the pressure regulator valve is directed to the TCC control valve through the CONV FD hydraulic circuit.
- The TCC control valve directs transmission fluid from the CONV FD circuit to the COOLER FEED circuit.
- In the COOLER FEED circuit, transmission fluid flows through the transmission fluid cooler or the thermal bypass valve to the LUBE circuit.
Solenoid hydraulic circuits:
- The LPC solenoid applies varying pressure to the pressure control valve through the LPC hydraulic circuit. The LPC solenoid regulates line pressure by controlling the position of the pressure regulator valve.
- SSA applies pressure to the forward (1, 2, 3, 4) clutch regulator valve to apply the forward clutch.
- SSB applies pressure to the direct (3, 5, R) clutch regulator valve to apply the direct clutch.
- The TCC solenoid applies pressure to the TCC control valve and the TCC regulator apply valve to apply the TCC.