automatic transmission ACURA RL KA9 1996 Service Repair Manual

Identification Number Locations

Vehicle Identification Number
Vehicle Identification Number

Transmission Number

(Automatic)

Engine NumberProCarManuals.com

Lubrication Points

For the details of lubrication points and types of lubricants to be applied, refer to the Illustrated Index and various work

procedures (such as Assembly/Reassembly, Replacement, Overhaul, Installation, etc.) contained in each section.

No.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22
LUBRICATION POINTS

Engine

Transmission

Brake line (Includes ABS line)

Power steering gearbox

Steering boots

Throttle cable end

Steering ball joints

Shift lever (Automatic transmission)

Pedal linkage

Intermediate shaft

Brake master cylinder pushrod

Fuel
fill
lid

Battery terminals

Trunk hinges and latch

Door hinges upper and lower

Door opening detents

Hood hinges and hood latch

Brake line joints (Front and rear wheelhouse)

Caliper Piston boot, caliper

Pins and boots

Power steering system

Differential

A/C compressor

API SERVICE LABEL API CERTIFICATION SEAL
LUBRICANT

API Service Grade: Use SJ "Energy Conserving" grade oil.

The oil container may also display the API Certification

seal shown below. Make sure it says "For Gasoline

Engines."

SAE Viscosity: See chart below.

Honda ATF-Z1 (ATF)*1

Genuine Honda DOT3 brake fluid*2

Steering grease P/N 08733 - B070E

Multi-purpose grease

Honda White Lithium Grease

Rust preventive

Silicone grease

Genuine Honda power steering fluid*3

Hypoid gear Oil API GL4 or GL5

Viscosity:

at above -18°C (0°F): SAE 90

at less than -18°C (0°F): SAE 80W-90

Compressor oil:

DENSO: ND-OIL8 (P/N) 38897 - PR7 - A01 AH or 38899 -

PR7-A01)

(For Refrigerant: HFC-134a (R-134a))

Recommended engine oil

viscosity for ambient

temperature ranges

*1: Always use Honda ATF-Z1 (ATF). Using a non-Honda ATF can affect shift quality.

*2: Always use Genuine Honda DOT3 Brake Fluid. Using a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease the

life of the system.

*3: Always use Genuine Honda Power Steering Fluid. Using any other type of power steering fluid or automatic transmis-

sion fluid can cause increased wear and poor steering in cold weather.ProCarManuals.com

Description

The automatic transmission is a combination of a 3-element torque converter and a dual-shaft electronically controlled

automatic transmission which provides 4 speeds forward and 1 reverse. The entire unit is positioned in line with the engine.

Torque Converter, Gears and Clutches

The torque converter consists of a pump, turbine and stator, assembled in a single unit. They are connected to the engine

crankshaft so they turn together as a unit as the engine turns. Around the outside of the drive plate is a ring gear which

meshes with the starter pinion when the engine is being started.

The entire torque converter assembly serves as a flywheel while transmitting power to the transmission mainshaft.

The transmission has two parallel shafts: the mainshaft and the countershaft. The mainshaft is in line with the engine

crankshaft. The mainshaft includes the 1st, 4th and 2nd clutches and gears for 4th, 1st, 2nd and reverse (3rd gear is integral

with the mainshaft). The countershaft includes the 3rd, 1st-hold and reverse clutches, and gears for 3rd, 4th, 1st, 2nd,

reverse and park. The secondary drive gear is integrated with the countershaft. The gears on the mainshaft are in constant

mesh with those on the countershaft. When certain combinations of gears in the transmission are engaged by clutches,

power is transmitted from the mainshaft to the countershaft to provide , , , and positions.

Electronic Control

The electronic control system consists of a Powertrain Control Module (PCM), sensors, a A/T clutch pressure control solenoid

and four solenoid valves. Shifting and lock-up are electronically controlled for comfortable driving under all conditions.

The PCM is located below the dashboard, under the front lower panel on the passenger's side.

Hydraulic Control

The lower valve body assembly includes the main valve body, the secondary valve body, the throttle valve body, the

solenoid, the shift solenoid valves and the ATF passage body. They are bolted on the lower part of the transmission hous-

ing. Other valve bodies, the regulator valve body, the ATF pump body and the accumulator body, are bolted to the torque

converter housing.

The main valve body contains the manual valve, the 1-2 shift valve, the 2-3 shift valve, the 3-4 shift valve, the 4-3 kick-down

valve and the main orifice control valve. The secondary valve body contains the 3-4 orifice control valve, the 4-3 shift timing

valve, the line pressure control valve, the modulator valve and the accumulator pistons. The throttle valve body includes

the throttle valve which is bolted onto the secondary valve body. The A/T clutch pressure control solenoid is joined to the

throttle valve body. The regulator valve body contains the regulator valve, the lock-up shift valve and the cooler relief valve.

Fluid from the regulator passes through the manual valve to the various control valves. The ATF pump body contains the

lock-up timing valve, the lock-up control valve and the relief valve. The torque converter check valve is located in the torque

converter housing under the ATF pump body. The accumulator body contains the accumulator pistons. The reverse accu-

mulator and the 1st-hold accumulator pistons are assembled in the rear cover.

The 1st, 1st-hold, 2nd and reverse clutches receive fluid from their respective feed pipes, and the 3rd and 4th clutches

receive fluid from the internal hydraulic circuit.

Shift Control Mechanism

Input from various sensors located throughout the vehicle determines which shift solenoid valve the PCM will activate.

Activating a shift solenoid valve changes modulator pressure, causing a shift valve to move. This pressurizes a line to one

of the clutches, engaging the clutch and its corresponding gear.

Lock-up Mechanism

In position, in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, and position in 3rd, pressurized fluid is drained from the back of the torque con-

verter through a fluid passage, causing the lock-up piston to be held against the torque converter cover. As this takes

place, the mainshaft rotates at the same speed as the engine crankshaft. Together with hydraulic control, the PCM opti-

mizes the timing of the lock-up mechanism. The lock-up valves control the range of lock-up according to torque converter

clutch (lock-up control) solenoid valves A and B, and throttle valve. When torque converter clutch (lock-up control)

solenoid valves A and B activate, modulator pressure changes. The torque converter clutch (lock-up control) solenoid

valves A and B are mounted on the torque converter housing, and are controlled by the PCM.ProCarManuals.com

Description

Electronic Control System (cont'd)

Ascending Control

When the PCM determines that the vehicle is climbing a hill in position, the system extends the engagement area of

3rd gear to prevent the transmission from frequently shifting between 3rd and 4th gears, so the vehicle can run smooth

and have more power when needed.

NOTE:

• Shift schedules between 3rd and 4th gear stored in the PCM enable the PCM's fuzzy logic to automatically select the

most suitable gear according to the magnitude of a gradient.

• Fuzzy logic is a form of artificial intelligence that lets computers respond to changing conditions much like a human

mind would.

Descending Control

When the PCM determines that the vehicle is going down a hill in position, the shift-up speed from 3rd to 4th gear

when the throttle is closed becomes faster than the set speed for flat road driving to widen the 3rd gear driving area.

This, in combination with engine braking from the deceleration lock-up, achieves smooth driving when the vehicle is

descending. There are two descending modes with different downshift (4-3) schedules according to the magnitude of a

gradient stored in the PCM. When the vehicle is in 4th gear, and you are decelerating on a gradual hill, or when you are

applying the brakes on a steep hill, the transmission will downshift to 3rd gear. When you accelerate, the transmission will

then return to 4th gear.

ASCENDING MODE

DESCENDING MODE

3RD/4TH SHIFTING

CHARACTERISTICS

CONTROL AREA
Flat road

mode

Steep descending

mode

Gradual descending

modeProCarManuals.com

Position

As the engine turns, the ATF pump also starts to operate. Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is drawn from (99) and dis-

charged into (1). Then, ATF flowing from the ATF pump becomes the line pressure (1). The line pressure (1) is regulated

by the regulator valve. The torque converter inlet pressure (92) enters (94) of the torque converter through the lock-up

shift valve and discharges into (90). The torque converter check valve prevents the torque converter pressure from rising.

Under this condition, the hydraulic pressure is not applied to the clutches as the manual valve stops line pressure (1).

NOTE:

• When used, "left" or "right" indicates direction on the hydraulic circuit.

• The hydraulic circuit is for '96 - '98 models. On '99 - 01 models, the 2nd accumulator is different.ProCarManuals.com