clutch DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

(16) Coat rear clutch thrust washer with petro-
leum jelly and install washer over input shaft and
into clutch retainer (Fig. 239). Use enough petroleum
jelly to hold washer in place.
(17) Set rear clutch aside for installation during
final assembly.
REAR SERVO
DESCRIPTION
The rear (low/reverse) servo consists of a single
stage or diameter piston and a spring loaded plug.
The spring is used to cushion the application of the
rear (low/reverse) band.
OPERATION
While in the de-energized state (no pressure
applied), the piston is held up in its bore by the pis-
ton spring. The plug is held down in its bore, in the
piston, by the plug spring. When pressure is applied
to the top of the piston, the plug is forced down in its
bore, taking up any clearance. As the piston moves, it
causes the plug spring to compress, and the piston
moves down over the plug. The piston continues to
move down until it hits the shoulder of the plug and
fully applies the band. The period of time from the
initial application, until the piston is against the
shoulder of the plug, represents a reduced shocking
of the band that cushions the shift.
DISASSEMBLY
(1) Remove small snap-ring and remove plug and
spring from servo piston (Fig. 240).
(2) Remove and discard servo piston seal ring.
CLEANING
Remove and discard the servo piston seal ring (Fig.
241). Then clean the servo components with solvent
and dry with compressed air. Replace either spring if
collapsed, distorted or broken. Replace the plug and
piston if cracked, bent, or worn. Discard the servo
snap-rings and use new ones at assembly.
Fig. 239 Installing Rear Clutch Thrust Washer
1 - REAR CLUTCH RETAINER
2 - REAR CLUTCH THRUST WASHER
Fig. 240 Rear Servo Components
1 - SNAP-RING
2 - PISTON SEAL
3 - PISTON PLUG
4 - SPRING RETAINER
5 - SNAP-RING
6 - PISTON SPRING
7 - CUSHION SPRING
8 - PISTON
Fig. 241 Rear Servo Components
1 - SNAP-RING
2 - PISTON SEAL
3 - PISTON PLUG
4 - SPRING RETAINER
5 - SNAP-RING
6 - PISTON SPRING
7 - CUSHION SPRING
8 - PISTON
21 - 252 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REDR
REAR CLUTCH (Continued)

TORQUE CONVERTER
DESCRIPTION
The torque converter (Fig. 249) is a hydraulic
device that couples the engine crankshaft to the
transmission. The torque converter consists of an
outer shell with an internal turbine, a stator, an
overrunning clutch, an impeller and an electronically
applied converter clutch. The converter clutch pro-
vides reduced engine speed and greater fuel economy
when engaged. Clutch engagement also provides
reduced transmission fluid temperatures. The torque
converter hub drives the transmission oil (fluid)
pump.
The torque converter is a sealed, welded unit that
is not repairable and is serviced as an assembly.
CAUTION: The torque converter must be replaced if
a transmission failure resulted in large amounts of
metal or fiber contamination in the fluid.
Fig. 249 Torque Converter Assembly
1 - TURBINE
2 - IMPELLER
3 - HUB
4-STATOR
5 - FRONT COVER
6 - CONVERTER CLUTCH DISC
7 - DRIVE PLATE
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 257

STATOR
The stator assembly (Fig. 252) is mounted on a sta-
tionary shaft which is an integral part of the oil
pump. The stator is located between the impeller and
turbine within the torque converter case (Fig. 253).
The stator contains an over-running clutch, which
allows the stator to rotate only in a clockwise direc-
tion. When the stator is locked against the over-run-
ning clutch, the torque multiplication feature of the
torque converter is operational.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The TCC (Fig. 254) was installed to improve the
efficiency of the torque converter that is lost to the
slippage of the fluid coupling. Although the fluid cou-
pling provides smooth, shock-free power transfer, it is
natural for all fluid couplings to slip. If the impeller
and turbine were mechanically locked together, a
zero slippage condition could be obtained. A hydraulic
piston was added to the turbine, and a friction mate-
rial was added to the inside of the front cover to pro-
vide this mechanical lock-up.
Fig. 252 Stator Components
1 - CAM (OUTER RACE)
2 - ROLLER
3 - SPRING
4 - INNER RACE
Fig. 253 Stator Location
1-STATOR
2 - IMPELLER
3 - FLUID FLOW
4 - TURBINE
Fig. 254 Torque Converter Clutch (TCC)
1 - IMPELLER FRONT COVER
2 - THRUST WASHER ASSEMBLY
3 - IMPELLER
4-STATOR
5 - TURBINE
6 - PISTON
7 - FRICTION DISC
21 - 260 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REDR
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)

OPERATION
The converter impeller (Fig. 255) (driving member),
which is integral to the converter housing and bolted
to the engine drive plate, rotates at engine speed.
The converter turbine (driven member), which reacts
from fluid pressure generated by the impeller, rotates
and turns the transmission input shaft.
TURBINE
As the fluid that was put into motion by the impel-
ler blades strikes the blades of the turbine, some of
the energy and rotational force is transferred into the
turbine and the input shaft. This causes both of them
(turbine and input shaft) to rotate in a clockwise
direction following the impeller. As the fluid is leav-
ing the trailing edges of the turbine's blades it con-
tinues in a ªhinderingº direction back toward the
impeller. If the fluid is not redirected before it strikes
the impeller, it will strike the impeller in such a
direction that it would tend to slow it down.
STATOR
Torque multiplication is achieved by locking the
stator's over-running clutch to its shaft (Fig. 256).
Under stall conditions (the turbine is stationary), the
oil leaving the turbine blades strikes the face of the
stator blades and tries to rotate them in a counter-
clockwise direction. When this happens the overrun-ning clutch of the stator locks and holds the stator
from rotating. With the stator locked, the oil strikes
the stator blades and is redirected into a ªhelpingº
direction before it enters the impeller. This circula-
tion of oil from impeller to turbine, turbine to stator,
and stator to impeller, can produce a maximum
torque multiplication of about 2.4:1. As the turbine
begins to match the speed of the impeller, the fluid
that was hitting the stator in such as way as to
cause it to lock-up is no longer doing so. In this con-
dition of operation, the stator begins to free wheel
and the converter acts as a fluid coupling.
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The torque converter clutch is hydraulically
applied and is released when fluid is vented from the
hydraulic circuit by the torque converter control
(TCC) solenoid on the valve body. The torque con-
verter clutch is controlled by the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM). The torque converter clutch engages
in fourth gear, and in third gear under various con-
ditions, such as when the O/D switch is OFF, when
the vehicle is cruising on a level surface after the
vehicle has warmed up. The torque converter clutch
will disengage momentarily when an increase in
engine load is sensed by the PCM, such as when the
vehicle begins to go uphill or the throttle pressure is
increased.
Fig. 255 Torque Converter Fluid Operation
1 - APPLY PRESSURE 3 - RELEASE PRESSURE
2 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY FORWARD 4 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY REARWARD
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 261
TORQUE CONVERTER (Continued)

tank. The valve prevents fluid drainback when the
vehicle is parked for lengthy periods. The valve check
ball is spring loaded and has an opening pressure of
approximately 2 psi.
The valve is serviced as an assembly; it is not repair-
able. Do not clean the valve if restricted, or contami-
nated by sludge, or debris. If the valve fails, or if a
transmission malfunction occurs that generates signifi-
cant amounts of sludge and/or clutch particles and
metal shavings, the valve must be replaced.
If the valve is restricted, installed backwards, or in
the wrong line, it will cause an overheating condition
and possible transmission failure.
CAUTION: The drainback valve is a one-way flow
device. It must be properly oriented in terms of flow
direction for the cooler to function properly. The
valve must be installed in the pressure line. Other-
wise flow will be blocked and would cause an over-
heating condition and eventual transmission failure.
TRANSMISSION RANGE
SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
The Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) (Fig. 258)
has 3 primary functions:
²Provide a PARK/NEUTRAL start signal to the
engine controller and the starter relay.
²Turn the Back-up lamps on when the transmis-
sion is in REVERSE and the engine (ignition) is on.
²Provide a transmission range signal to the
instrument cluster.
The sensor is mounted in the transmission housing
near the valve body, just above the pan rail. It's in the
same position as the Park/Neutral switch on other
transmissions. The TRS contacts a cammed surface on
the manual valve lever. The cammed surface translates
the rotational motion of the manual lever into the linear
motion of the sensor. The cammed surface on the man-
ual lever is comprised of two parts controlling the TRS
signal: The insulator portion contacts the switch poppet
when the manual lever is not in PARK or NEUTRAL.
The manual lever itself contacts the poppet when the
lever is in PARK or NEUTRAL; providing a ground for
the signal from the starter relay and the JTEC engine
controller.
OPERATION
As the switch moves through its linear motion (Fig.
259) contacts slide across a circuit board which changes
the resistance between the range sensing pins of the
switch. A power supply on the instrument cluster pro-
vides a regulated voltage signal to the switch. The
return signal is decoded by the cluster, which then con-
trols the PRNDL display to correspond with the correct
transmission range. A bus message of transmission
range is also sent by the cluster. In REVERSE range a
second contact set closes the circuit providing power to
the reverse lamps.
Fig. 258 Transmission Range Sensor
Fig. 259 Transmission Range Sensor
Linear Movement
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 263
TORQUE CONVERTER DRAINBACK VALVE (Continued)

TRANSMISSION
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
DESCRIPTION
Transmission fluid temperature readings are sup-
plied to the transmission control module by the ther-
mistor (Fig. 266). The temperature readings are used
to control engagement of the fourth gear overdrive
clutch, the converter clutch, and governor pressure.
Normal resistance value for the thermistor at room
temperature is approximately 2000 ohms.
The thermistor is part of the governor pressure
sensor assembly and is immersed in transmission
fluid at all times.
OPERATION
The PCM prevents engagement of the converter
clutch and overdrive clutch, when fluid temperature
is below approximately 10ÉC (50ÉF).
If fluid temperature exceeds 126ÉC (260ÉF), the
PCM causes a 4-3 downshift and engage the con-
verter clutch. Engagement is according to the third
gear converter clutch engagement schedule.
The overdrive OFF lamp in the instrument panel
illuminates when the shift back to third occurs. The
transmission will not allow fourth gear operation
until fluid temperature decreases to approximately
110ÉC (230ÉF).
VALVE BODY
DESCRIPTION
The valve body consists of a cast aluminum valve
body, a separator plate, and transfer plate. The valve
body contains valves and check balls that control
fluid delivery to the torque converter clutch, bands,
and frictional clutches. The valve body contains the
following components (Fig. 267), (Fig. 268), (Fig.
269), and (Fig. 270):
²Regulator valve
²Regulator valve throttle pressure plug
²Line pressure plug and sleeve
²Kickdown valve
²Kickdown limit valve
²1-2 shift valve
²1-2 control valve
²2-3 shift valve
²2-3 governor plug
²3-4 shift valve
²3-4 timing valve
²3-4 quick fill valve
²3-4 accumulator
²Throttle valve
²Throttle pressure plug
²Switch valve
²Manual valve
²Converter clutch lock-up valve
²Converter clutch lock-up timing Valve
²Shuttle valve
²Shuttle valve throttle plug
²Boost Valve
²10 check balls
By adjusting the spring pressure acting on the reg-
ulator valve, transmission line pressure can be
adjusted.
Fig. 266 Governor Pressure Sensor
1 - GOVERNOR BODY
2 - GOVERNOR PRESSURE SENSOR/TRANSMISSION FLUID
TEMPERATURE THERMISTOR
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 267

Fig. 270 Lower Housing Shift Valves and Springs
1 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR HOUSING 11 - TIMING VALVE COVER
2 - 3-4 SHIFT VALVE AND SPRING 12 - PLUG
3 - PLUG 13 - 3-4 TIMING VALVE AND SPRING
4 - SPRING RETAINER 14 - LOWER HOUSING
5 - CONVERTER CLUTCH VALVE AND SPRING 15 - ACCUMULATOR END PLATE
6 - CONVERTER CLUTCH TIMING VALVE AND SPRING 16 - 3-4 ACCUMULATOR PISTON AND SPRING
7 - OVERDRIVE SEPARATOR PLATE 17 - E-CLIP
8 - CASE CONNECTOR 18 - 3-4 QUICK FILL SPRING AND VALVE
9 - CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID 19 - SOLENOID GASKET
10 - OVERDRIVE SOLENOID 20 - HARNESS
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 271
VALVE BODY (Continued)

OPERATION
NOTE: Refer to the Hydraulic Schematics for a visual
aid in determining valve location, operation and design.
CHECK BALLS
CHECK BALL
NUMBERDESCRIPTION
1 Allows either the manual valve to put line pressure on the 1-2 governor plug or the KD Valve to
put WOT line pressure on the 1-2 governor plug.
2 Allows either the manual valve to put line pressure on the 2-3 governor plug or the KD Valve to
put WOT line pressure on the 2-3 governor plug.
3 Allows either the Reverse circuit or the 3rd gear circuit to pressurize the front clutch.
4 Allows either the Manual Low circuit from the Manual Valve or the Reverse from the Manual
Valve circuit to pressurize the rear servo.
5 Directs line pressure to the spring end of the 2-3 shift valve in either Manual Low or Manual
2nd, forcing the downshift to 2nd gear regardless of governor pressure.
6 Provides a by-pass around the front servo orifice so that the servo can release quickly.
7 Provides a by-pass around the rear clutch orifice so that the clutch can release quickly.
8 Directs reverse line pressure through an orifice to the throttle valve eliminating the extra
leakage and insuring that Reverse line pressure pressure will be sufficient.
9 Provides a by-pass around the rear servo orifice so that the servo can release quickly.
10 Allows the lockup clutch to used at WOT in 3rd gear by putting line pressure from the 3-4
Timing Valve on the interlock area of the 2-3 shift valve, thereby preventing a 3rd gear Lock-up
to 2nd gear kickdown.
REGULATOR VALVE
The pressure regulator valve is needed to control
the hydraulic pressure within the system and reduce
the amount of heat produced in the fluid. The pres-
sure regulator valve is located in the valve body near
the manual valve. The pressure regulator valve train
controls the maximum pressure in the lines by
metering the dumping of fluid back into the sump.
Regulated pressure is referred to as ªline pressure.º
The regulator valve (Fig. 271) has a spring on one
end that pushes the valve to the left. This closes a
dump (vent) that is used to lower pressure. The closing
of the dump will cause the oil pressure to increase. Oil
pressure on the opposite end of the valve pushes the
valve to the right, opening the dump and lowering oil
pressure. The result is spring pressure working against
oil pressure to maintain the oil at specific pressures.
With the engine running, fluid flows from the pump to
the pressure regulator valve, manual valve, and the
interconnected circuits. As fluid is sent through pas-
sages to the regulator valve, the pressure pushes the
valve to the right against the large spring. It is also
sent to the reaction areas on the left side of the throttle
pressure plug and the line pressure plug. With the gearselector in the PARK position, fluid recirculates through
the regulator and manual valves back to the sump.
Meanwhile, the torque converter is filled slowly. In
all other gear positions (Fig. 272), fluid flows
between two right side lands to the switch valve and
torque converter. At low pump speeds, the flow is
controlled by the pressure valve groove to reduce
pressure to the torque converter. After the torque
converter and switch valve fill with fluid, the switch
valve becomes the controlling metering device for
torque converter pressure. The regulator valve then
begins to control the line pressure for the other
transmission circuits. The balance of the fluid pres-
sure pushing the valve to the right and the spring
pressure pushing to the left determines the size of
the metering passage at land #2 (land #1 being at
the far right of the valve in the diagram). As fluid
leaks past the land, it moves into a groove connected
to the filter or sump. As the land meters the fluid to
the sump, it causes the pressure to reduce and the
spring decreases the size of the metering passage.
When the size of the metering passage is reduced,
the pressure rises again and the size of the land is
increased again. Pressure is regulated by this con-
stant balance of hydraulic and spring pressure.
21 - 272 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46REDR
VALVE BODY (Continued)

1-2 SHIFT CONTROL VALVE
It contains a valve with four lands and a spring. It
is used as both a ªrelayº and ªbalancedº valve.
The valve has two specific operations (Fig. 280):
²Aid in quality of the 1-2 upshift.
²Aid in the quality and timing of the 3-2 kick-
down ranges.
When the manual valve is set to the DRIVE position
and the transmission is in the first or second gear range,
1-2 shift control or ªmodulated throttle pressureº is sup-
plied to the middle of the accumulator piston by the 1-2
shift control valve. During the 1-2 upshift, this pressure
is used to control the kickdown servo apply pressure that
is needed to apply the kickdown and accumulator pis-
tons. Thus, the 1-2 shift point is ªcushionedº and the
quality is improved. During a WOT kickdown, kickdown
pressure is applied between the kickdown valve and the
1-2 shift control valve. This additional pressure is
directed to the 1-2 shift control's spring cavity, adding to
the spring load on the valve. The result of this increased
ªmodulatedº throttle pressure is a firmer WOT upshift.
2-3 SHIFT VALVE
The 2-3 shift valve mechanism (Fig. 281) consists of
the 2-3 shift valve, governor plug and spring, and a
throttle plug. After the 1-2 shift valve has completed its
operation and applied the front band, line pressure is
directed to the 2-3 shift valve through the connecting
passages from the 1-2 shift valve. The line pressure will
then dead±end at land #2 until the 2-3 valve is ready to
make its shift. Now that the vehicle is in motion andunder acceleration, there is throttle pressure being
applied to the spring side of the valve and between
lands #3 and #4.
As vehicle speed increases, governor pressure increases
proportionately, until it becomes great enough to over-
come the combined throttle and spring pressure on the
right side of the valve. Since the throttle pressure end of
the 2-3 shift valve is larger in diameter than the 1-2 shift
valve, the 2-3 shift will always happen at a greater speed
than the 1-2 shift. When this happens, the governor plug
is forced against the shift valve moving it to the right.
The shift valve causes land #4 to close the passage sup-
plying throttle pressure to the 2-3 shift valve. Without
throttle pressure present in the circuit now, the governor
plug will push the valve over far enough to bottom the
valve in its bore. This allows land #2 to direct line pres-
sure to the front clutch.
After the shift (Fig. 282), line pressure is directed
to the land between the shift valve and the governor
plug, and to the release side of the kickdown servo.
This releases the front band and applies the front
clutch, shifting into third gear or direct drive. The
rear clutch remains applied, as it has been in the
other gears. During a manual ª1º or manual ª2º gear
selection, line pressure is sent between the two lands
of the 2-3 governor plug. This line pressure at the
governor plug locks the shift valve into the second
gear position, preventing an upshift into direct drive.
The theory for the blocking of the valve is the same
as that of the 1-2 shift valve.
Fig. 280 1-2 Shift Control Valve
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 279
VALVE BODY (Continued)

3-4 SHIFT VALVE
The PCM energizes the overdrive solenoid during
the 3-4 upshift (Fig. 283). This causes the solenoid
check ball to close the vent port allowing line pres-
sure from the 2-3 shift valve to act directly on the 3-4
upshift valve. Line pressure on the 3-4 shift valve
overcomes valve spring pressure moving the valve to
the upshift position (Fig. 284). This action exposes
the feed passages to the 3-4 timing valve, 3-4 quick
fill valve, 3-4 accumulator, and ultimately to the
overdrive piston.
3-4 TIMING VALVE
The 3-4 timing valve is moved by line pressure
coming through the 3-4 shift valve (Fig. 284). After
the shift, the timing valve holds the 2-3 shift valve in
an upshift position. The purpose is to prevent the 2-3
valve from downshifting before the 3-4 valve (Fig.
283).
3-4 QUICK FILL VALVE
The 3-4 quick fill valve provides faster engagement
of the overdrive clutch during 3-4 upshifts. The valve
temporarily bypasses the clutch piston feed orifice at
the start of a 3-4 upshift (Fig. 283). This exposes a
larger passage into the piston retainer resulting in a
much faster clutch fill and apply sequence. The quick
fill valve does not bypass the regular clutch feed ori-
fice throughout the 3-4 upshift. Instead, once a pre-
determined pressure develops within the clutch, the
valve closes the bypass (Fig. 284). Clutch fill is then
completed through the regular feed orifice.
Fig. 283 3-4 Shift Valve Before Shift
Fig. 284 3-4 Shift Valve After Shift
DRAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - 46RE 21 - 281
VALVE BODY (Continued)