DODGE TOWN AND COUNTRY 2003 Service Manual

OPERATION
NEUTRAL
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. Since
no synchronizers are engaged on either the input or
intermediate shafts, power is not transmitted to the
intermediate shaft and the differential does not turn
(Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Neutral Gear Operation
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1ST GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft first gear is integral to the input shaft,
and is in constant mesh with the intermediate shaft
first speed gear. Because of this constant mesh, the
intermediate shaft first speed gear freewheels untilfirst gear is selected. As the gearshift lever is moved
to the first gear position, the 1-2 fork moves the 1-2
synchronizer sleeve towards first gear on the inter-
mediate shaft. The synchronizer sleeve engages the
first gear clutch teeth, fixing the gear to the interme-
diate shaft, and allowing power to transmit through
the intermediate shaft to the differential (Fig. 4).
Fig. 4 1st Gear Operation
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2ND GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft second gear is integral to the input shaft,
and is in constant mesh with the intermediate shaft
second speed gear. Because of this constant mesh,
the intermediate shaft second speed gear freewheels
until second gear is selected. As the gearshift lever ismoved to the second gear position, the 1-2 fork moves
the 1-2 synchronizer sleeve towards second gear on
the intermediate shaft. The synchronizer sleeve
engages the second gear clutch teeth, fixing the gear
to the intermediate shaft, and allowing power to
transmit through the intermediate shaft to the differ-
ential (Fig. 5).
Fig. 5 2nd Gear Operation
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3RD GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft third speed gear is in constant mesh with
the intermediate shaft 3-4 cluster gear, which is fixed
to the intermediate shaft. Because of this constant
mesh, the input shaft third speed gear freewheelsuntil third gear is selected. As the gearshift lever is
moved to the third gear position, the 3-4 fork moves
the 3-4 synchronizer sleeve towards third gear on the
input shaft. The synchronizer sleeve engages the
third gear clutch teeth, fixing the gear to the input
shaft, and allowing power to transmit through the
intermediate shaft to the differential (Fig. 6).
Fig. 6 3rd Gear Operation
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4TH GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft fourth speed gear is in constant mesh
with the intermediate shaft 3-4 cluster gear, which is
fixed to the intermediate shaft. Because of this con-
stant mesh, the input shaft fourth speed gear free-
wheels until fourth gear is selected. As the gearshiftlever is moved to the fourth gear position, the 3-4
fork moves the 3-4 synchronizer sleeve towards
fourth gear on the input shaft. The synchronizer
sleeve engages the fourth gear clutch teeth, fixing
the gear to the input shaft, and allowing power to
transmit through the intermediate shaft to the differ-
ential (Fig. 7).
Fig. 7 4th Gear Operation
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5TH GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft fifth gear is pressed on to the input shaft,
and is in constant mesh with the intermediate shaft
fifth speed gear. Because of this constant mesh, the
intermediate shaft fifth speed gear freewheels untilfifth gear is selected. As the gearshift lever is moved
to the fifth gear position, the 5-R fork moves the 5-R
synchronizer sleeve towards the intermediate shaft
fifth speed gear. The synchronizer sleeve engages the
fifth gear clutch teeth, fixing the gear to the input
shaft, and allowing power to transmit through the
intermediate shaft to the differential (Fig. 8).
Fig. 8 5th Gear Operation
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REVERSE GEAR
Engine power is transmitted to the input shaft via
the clutch assembly and the input shaft turns. The
input shaft reverse gear is integral to the input
shaft, and is in constant mesh with the reverse idler
gear. The reverse idler gear, which reverses the rota-
tion of the intermediate shaft, is in constant mesh
with the intermediate shaft reverse gear. Because of
this constant mesh, the intermediate shaft reverse
gear freewheels until reverse gear is selected. As the
gearshift lever is moved to the reverse gear position,
the 5-R fork moves the 5-R synchronizer sleeve
towards the intermediate shaft reverse gear. The
synchronizer sleeve engages the reverse gear clutch
teeth, fixing the gear to the intermediate shaft, and
allowing power to transmit through the intermediate
shaft to the differential (in reverse) (Fig. 9).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - COMMON
PROBLEM CAUSES
The majority of transaxle malfunctions are a result
of:
²Insufficient lubrication
²Incorrect lubricant
²Misassembled or damaged internal components
²Improper operation
HARD SHIFTING
Hard shifting may be caused by a misadjusted
crossover cable. If hard shifting is accompanied by
gear clash, synchronizer clutch and stop rings or gear
teeth may be worn or damaged.
Hard shifting may also be caused by a binding or
broken shift cover mechanism. Remove shift cover
and verify smooth operation. Replace as necessary.
Fig. 9 Reverse Gear Operation
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Misassembled synchronizer components also cause
shifting problems. Incorrectly installed synchronizer
sleeves, keys, balls, or springs can cause shift prob-
lems.
NOISY OPERATION
Transaxle noise is most often a result of worn or
damaged components. Chipped, broken gear or syn-
chronizer teeth, and brinnelled, spalled bearings all
cause noise.
Abnormal wear and damage to the internal compo-
nents is frequently the end result of insufficient
lubricant.
SLIPS OUT OF GEAR
Transaxle disengagement may be caused by mis-
aligned or damaged shift components, or worn teeth
on the drive gears or synchronizer components. Incor-
rect assembly also causes gear disengagement. Check
for missing snap rings.
LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
Insufficient transaxle lubricant is usually the
result of leaks, or inaccurate fluid level check or refill
method. Leakage is evident by the presence of oil
around the leak point. If leakage is not evident, the
condition is probably the result of an underfill.
If air±powered lubrication equipment is used to fill
a transaxle, be sure the equipment is properly cali-
brated. Equipment out of calibration can lead to an
underfill condition.
CLUTCH PROBLEMS
Worn, damaged, or misaligned clutch components
can cause difficult shifting, gear clash, and noise.
A worn or damaged clutch disc, pressure plate, or
release bearing can cause hard shifting and gear
clash.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 2.4L GAS
(1) Raise hood.
(2) Disconnect gearshift cables from shift levers/
cover assembly (Fig. 10).
(3) Remove gearshift cable retaining clips from
mounting bracket (Fig. 10). Remove cables and
secure out of way.
(4) Remove three (3) right engine mount bracket-
to-transaxle bolts (Fig. 11).
(5) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(6) Remove front wheel/tires and halfshafts.
(7) Drain transaxle fluid into suitable container.
(8) Remove front harness retainer and secure har-
ness out of way.
Fig. 10 Gearshift Cables at Transaxle
1 - SELECTOR CABLE
2 - CABLE RETAINER
3 - CABLE RETAINER
4 - CROSSOVER CABLE
5 - MOUNT BRACKET
Fig. 11 Transaxle Right Mount and Bracket
1 - MOUNT BRACKET
2 - BOLT (3)
3 - MOUNT
4 - BOLT (1)
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(9) Using Tool 6638A, disconnect clutch hydraulic
circuit quick connect (located on slave cylinder tube).
Remove clutch slave cylinder by depressing towards
case and rotating counter-clockwise 60É, while lifting
anti-rotation tab out of case slot with screwdriver
(Fig. 12).
(10) Remove engine left mount bracket.
(11) Remove starter motor (Fig. 13).
(12) Disconnect back-up lamp switch connector.
(13) Remove structural collar.
(14) Remove modular clutch assembly-to-drive
plate bolts.
(15) Position screw jack and wood block to engine
oil pan.
(16) Remove transmission upper mount through-
bolt from left frame rail.
(17) Lower engine/transaxle assembly on screw
jack.
(18) Remove four (4) upper mount-to-transaxle
bolts and remove mount (Fig. 14).
(19) Obtain helper and transmission jack. Secure
transaxle to transmission jack and remove transaxle-
to-engine bolts.
(20) Remove transaxle from engine.
(21) Inspect modular clutch assembly, clutch
release components, and engine drive plate.
Fig. 12 Slave Cylinder Removal/Installation
1 - MOUNTING HOLE
2 - SLAVE CYLINDER
3 - ACCESS HOLE
4 - NYLON ANTI-ROTATION TAB
Fig. 13 Starter Motor Removal/Installation
1 - STARTER MOTOR
2 - BOLT (3)
Fig. 14 Transaxle Upper Mount
1 - MOUNT
2 - BOLT (4)
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REMOVAL - 2.5L TD
(1) Raise hood.
(2) Disconnect both battery cables.
(3) Remove battery thermal shield (Fig. 15).
(4) Remove battery hold down bolt, clamp, and
battery (Fig. 16).(5) Remove battery tray (Fig. 17). Disconnect bat-
tery temperature sensor.
(6) Remove coolant recovery bottle from bracket.
(7) Remove coolant recovery bottle mounting
bracket (Fig. 18).
(8) Disconnect gearshift cables from shift levers/
cover assembly (Fig. 19).
(9) Remove gearshift cable retaining clips from
mounting bracket (Fig. 19). Remove cables and
secure out of way.
Fig. 15 Battery Thermal Shield
1 - BATTERY THERMAL SHIELD
Fig. 16 Battery and Hold-Down Clamp
1 - BATTERY
2 - HOLD-DOWN CLAMP
Fig. 17 Battery Tray
1 - BATTERY TRAY
Fig. 18 Coolant Recovery Bottle Bracket
1 - COOLANT RECOVERY BOTTLE BRACKET
2 - NUT
3 - MOUNT BRACKET
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