Rob Faucett - March - 2024
In the previous two articles, we discussed how engine inputs directly affect transmission operation and how GM manages pressure in different applications. In this article, we’ll look at how Chrysler manages line pressure and shift quality and how they relate to engine inputs. The early three speeds and the RE/ RH overdrive series use mechanical […]
Rob Faucett - August - 2023
In our last discussion, I went over engine load data and how the computer uses this information to determine line pressure command (GEARS, July 2023). As we take our trip down the rabbit hole, from the intake to the pressure tap, we will discuss GM operations, and how to check pressure related issues. With the […]
Rob Faucett - July - 2023
As we gain experience over the years of building transmissions, we learn the idiosyncrasies of various transmissions—the common failures with specific clutches or bands and the normal causes. We learn about certain valves prone to sticking, valve bore wear, leaks in a circuit from the valve body to the piston, and problems in the release […]
Rob Faucett - May - 2023
I was told long ago if you ever feel you know everything about transmissions, it’s time to find a new career. I didn’t fully understand what my friend Mac told me then, but I think I got his point over the years. We’ll never stop learning something new as long as we keep turning wrenches […]
Rob Faucett - March - 2023
Most days in the field, it’s just building your transmission and sending it down the road. We’ve all seen the common problems and their causes with most transmissions, so we know where to look for concerns. And when one comes back or doesn’t work, we know where to start looking. But then there are those […]
Rob Faucett - January/February - 2023
Through years of experience in the transmission industry, our lessons in the field often help us get to the problem quickly, fix it, and get it out the door. But, unfortunately, sometimes, that experience can cause us to jump the gun, make the seat of the pants diagnosis, and cost us time when we should […]
Rob Faucett - June - 2022
One of the things I’ve always enjoyed about rebuilding transmissions is the required attention to detail. All the mistakes that can be made and all the little things that can be missed during a rebuild that can lead to significant headaches keep it all interesting. Even after successfully building over a few thousand transmissions, I […]
Rob Faucett - December - 2021
A friend of mine recently called me about his daughter’s 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, with an 09D, giving him problems. They purchased the vehicle a few years ago, and it had been working great. His daughter said she started it one morning, it took off like normal. She drove it a short distance before it went […]
Rob Faucett - September - 2021
Over the years, I’ve learned a few ways to make quick work of the tedious job of tracking down electrical faults. Anytime we see a solenoid circuit code, there’s a list of possible causes. The computer, connectors, terminals in the connectors, wire harness, and the solenoid make up that list. First, we determine the possible […]
Rob Faucett - August - 2021
As time goes by, we see more and more of these 6L80s showing up at the door. It reminds me of how often we used to see 4L60Es. Although, the problems with the 6L80 are usually consistent. Almost every 6L80 that shows up is either a converter failure, plugged filter, burnt 4-5-6 clutch, or a […]
Rob Faucett - July - 2021
We recently had a Ford 6F35 with a lock-up malfunction code come into the shop. The torque converter clutch seemed to be working on the test drive, but the fluid was black and had a foul odor, so we were sure there was some internal damage. David Whitt, the shop owner, had me build a […]
Rob Faucett - June - 2021
As technology advances, proper diagnostics have become more and more important. While most internal transmission problems are obvious, with burnt fluid or grinding noises. Some problems that seem like they are in the transmission can be outside. And for most technicians, including myself, when the diagnostic path leads towards a computer issue, we tend to […]
Rob Faucett - April - 2021
…Once on the bench and disassembled, all we found was burnt forward clutches, everything else looked ok… My co-worker recently built a 5R110W, followed all the normal procedures to protect it from the common pump failure, along with new pistons, clutches, bushings, and a new OE pressure control solenoid. After installation, he took it out […]
Rob Faucett - March - 2021
It’s hard to be surprised anymore with all the possible things that can go wrong inside a transmission: circuit leaks, solenoid malfunctions, valve body problems, hairline cracks in cases, and so on. There are just so many different things that can cause the same outcome in a transmission’s operations. And with a computer to control […]
Rob Faucett - December - 2020
A friend of mine recently called me on a 2012 dodge charger with a NAG 1, aka, 722.6 in it. The customer stated the check engine light was on, and he found a P0741 set, no debris found in the pan and clean fluid that didn’t have an odor to it. And lock up seemed […]
Rob Faucett - October/November - 2020
I’ve shared a few stories of very odd problems that took some unique testing to figure out. I have another one to share, but don’t think of this problem, in particular, think of the method of testing. After all, it’s on an old Elantra (2011), which you probably don’t see very often. But, you’re likely […]
Rob Faucett - September - 2020
Just when you thought you have seen it all, life and transmissions will throw another curve ball your way. Things like bushing wear, spring breakage, bore wear, are commonplace, and the list goes on. Sticking valves are probably one of the most common things on that list. We see it all the time, and we […]
Rob Faucett - August - 2020
Whenever I can, I like to get off the ATRA Hotline and do some hands-on diagnosing on a live vehicle, and there are a few shops in town where I get the chance. A friend of mine recently had an Allison come into his shop with a customer complaint of slipping shifts after an extended […]
Rob Faucett - June - 2020
The most difficult problems I have ever experienced in all the years I have been in this industry are the intermittent ones. My most favorite one of all was a mid 90’s Ford Thunderbird with an AODE. The customer brought it in, saying it would neutralize from time to time going down the road. I […]
Rob Faucett - May - 2020
Often in life, things are not always what they seem, and with today’s automobiles, we frequently come across codes with the same title but a different definition. Solenoid performance codes are one of those that can sometimes be misleading. And most of the time, when we see a solenoid performance code on the scan tool, […]