April 22, 2016
Beyond the Pressure Regulator: Keeping Cool While Investigating Mystery Honda Overheat
Robert Moreau
Honda/Acura models equipped with a four or five speed automatic transmission may have have erratic line pressure, delayed engagement and torque converter overheat problems. Excessive bore wear allowing critical fluid loss from the circuit is the cause of the delayed engagement and line pressure concerns. Insufficient flow to the converter charge/TCC release circuit at low RPM allows the lockup piston to drag on the converter, generating heat (see Figure 2). This heat glazes the TCC lining and overheats the fluid. Eventually the slip rate cannot be controlled due to lining failure, resulting in code P0740. For valve bodies with excessive bore wear, Sonnax offers this oversized converter charge regulated pressure regulator valve kit 98892-13K.
The valve also allows more flow to the converter and cooler circuits, and includes an internal checkball to prevent converter drain when the vehicle is off. The same valve design will assist converter charge and TCC apply pressure during low-output/high-load demand situations.
This kit fits various Honda 4/5 speed models. However, model to model, the appearance of valve bodies and the location of the pressure regulator valve bore may vary. The MAXA 98-02, 2.3L Accord model is illustrated here.
This kit fits Honda/Acura 4/5 speed applications except: A6VA, AOYA, BOYA, MPOA, MPJA, APXA, MPXA, MP1A, PX4B, MPRA, RO, MPZA, M5HA, M1WA, M5DA, MPWA, MPYA.
Sonnax valve body layouts provide a detailed overview of individual units making it quick and easy to determine what’s available for the specific valve body you’re working on. See all Sonnax valve body layouts.
April 22, 2016
Robert Moreau
January 16, 2014
September 30, 2005
Gregg Nader
Vacuum testing at the port(s) indicated fails to hold the recommended minimum in-Hg, or if wear is visually detected.