September 30, 2005
Anatomy of a Transmission: Oil Flow in the Pump-PR-Converter-Cooler Lube Circuits
Gregg Nader
Vehicles with Ford or AX4S transmissions frequently have lube system failures as well as torque converter clutch apply and release problems. These complaints can be aggravated by severe wear of the bypass clutch control plunger sleeve. Excessive wear allows regulated converter charge and cooler oil leakage. This oil is fed to the lube circuits, cooler, TCC and into the sleeve to help maintain the TCC in the release position. If the sleeve is worn, oil will exhaust past the plunger sleeve. Because this regulated converter charge oil is always present, either as release or apply pressure, severe leakage at the sleeve can result in a no TCC apply situation. Sonnax bypass TCC control plunger valve kit 96206-01K restores hydraulic integrity and eliminates the above problems.
It is strongly recommended that a new bypass clutch control valve kit 96201-19K be installed along with this kit.
September 30, 2005
Gregg Nader