Electronic Shift Control

Automatic Transmission

Electronic Controlled
Transmissions
Modern transmissions are hydraulically operated with
electronic controls. These controls provide:
•A better correlation between the engine and transmission
•Improved shift timing control
•Improved shift quality control
•Ability to provide driver-selected economy or performance
operation
•Improved ability to determine proper transmission operation
2

1
 Control System
5 6 1112 8 10
7 PCM
An electronic control
system has three
major portions:
DLC
1. The inputs provide
needed information. 9
2. The controller D4
processes information 1 A
C 2 B 3
and activates the Sensors: Electronic Transaxle
outputs. 1-5 Trans. Controllers Mounted
6-12 Eng. Solenoids:
3. The outputs do the PCM & DLC
A-D, MIL: 9
work.
INPUTS OUTPUTS
3

Electronic Valve Body

Vehicle Speed
Sensor Lockup Solenoid

Shift Solenoids
Pressure Control
A&B
Solenoid, EPC
Pressure Switch
Manifold External Harness
Internal Harness

The internal harness transfers signals between the valve body and the
controller. The section of the external harness is a repair part for the
connector. The vehicle speed sensor is mounted outside of the
transmission
4

2
 Inputs
Inputs Outputs
Inputs are electrical signals TPS
that provide information to Baro/MAP
MLPS
the powertrain control TFT
module (PCM) or ECT PCM/
Eng. RPM TCM
transmission control module TISS
(TCM). Inputs are VSS
PSM
transmission, engine, and BOO
vehicle sensors or switches. A/C on/off
Econ-Pwr
Diag. Req.

Transmission Mounted Inputs

Some inputs/sensors like

the manual lever position
sensor (MLPS) (A) and
output speed sensor (B)
are mounted on the
outside of the
transmission. Others
sensors are mounted
internally.
A B
6

3
 VSS
The vehicle speed sensor
(VSS) provides a Speed Sensor
Rotor
transmission output shaft
speed signal. The VSS signal
performs the same job as a
governor in a hydraulic-
controlled transmission. The
VSS signal is also used for
the vehicle's speedometer Speed
Sensor
and other speed-related
functions.
7

VSS Operation
Magnetic Core
Most VSS are a coil of wire
around a magnetic core. Coil
AC
The VSS is mounted close to Magnetic Volts AC
a reluctor that has gear-like lines of
flux at
Volts

teeth. When the reluctor rest

rotates, the teeth pull the
magnetic lines of force over
the coils of wire in the Reluctor
sensor.

4
 VSS Operation
+5V
Magnetic Core
Coil
AC 0V
+5V
The reluctor rotation Magnetic
lines of
Volts
AC 0V
generates an AC voltage flux at Volts -5V
-5V
with a frequency relative to rest
Reluctor
reluctor speed (Top Right).
Note that current direction
changes with the tooth
ACAC AC
moving toward or away Volts
Volts
AC
Volts
Volts
from the sensor core.
Magnetic lines of Magnetic lines of
flux being pulled flux being pulled out
into core of core

Animation: VSS Operation 9

Analog to Digital
VSS Signal Converter Signal to ECM

Digital Signal
Analog Signal

An analog signal, like that from the previous VSS, has a

variable voltage. A digital signal is a series of on-off electrical
pulses. Some ECMs require a converter to change analog
signals into digital signals.

10

5
 MLPS
Input Speed Sensor
Manual lever position
Output Speed Sensor
switch (MLPS) is
mounted onto the
manual shift linkage
entering the
transmission. Shift
linkage movement
operates the MLPS.
Note that this transaxle
has two speed sensors.
Manual Lever Position
Switch (MLPS)
11

MLPS Operation
Powertrain Control Transmission
Module (PCM) Control Module
(TCM)
This MLPS is a group of
four switches. Moving the
shift lever will open or close Starter
Relay
the switch contacts, and
the signal transfers that B/U
Lamp
information to the TCM.
Note that the MLPS also
works with the starter relay
and the backup lamp.

Manual Lever Position Switch (MLPS)

Animation: MLPS 12

6
 MLPS Wire Connections
ECM

Trans. Range
Signal

5V
Reference
MLPS
Sensor Ground
Some MLPS use a separate wire for each gear range
(previous slide). Others use a pair of wires with a block
of resistors. The ECM monitors the return voltage to
determine the gear range.
13

Pressure Switch
Switch Manifold Lo Ind.
PRND43 Switch
Rev. Indicator Ind. Switch
This transmission uses Switch
five pressure switches
mounted on a special
manifold. Each switch
has a set of contacts
that are closed when PRND4 Ind. Drive Ind.
Switch Switch
fluid pressure acting on
Fluid O-Ring
a diaphragm pushes Switch
them together. Diaphragm

Contacts
14

7
 TFT Sensor
Transmission fluid
temperature (TFT)
sensors are placed into
the ATF. It is a
thermister; a variable
resistor with a negative
temperature coefficient.
The resistance
decreases as the fluid
Transmission Fluid
temperature increases. Temperature (TFT)
Sensor
Animation: Transmission Temperature Sensor 15

Internal Harness

This transmission uses

a twelve pin connector
to connect the internal
harness to the external
Transmission
electrical harness on
the vehicle. Note the
identification on the
connector pins.
Connector

16

8
 Harness Connector
Connector
Internal
Pressure Switch
Harness
Manifold
Solenoid A
Variable Force
Solenoid
PWM Solenoid Solenoid B
Temperature
Sensor

The internal harness contains the wires to connect the sensors

and solenoids to the connector at the side of the transmission.
17

Driving Pattern Select Switch

This switch is also called Economy
the Power-Economy switch. Power
It allows the driver to select
one of two or more driving
modes. The power mode
will have higher shift points
From
and torque converter clutch Battery
(TCC) lockup.
Driving Pattern Ind.
Lamp
Select Switch

18

9
 OD Cancel Switch
OD Cancel
OFF
Switch
This switch cancels overdrive ON
(OD) range and limits
transmission operation to 1-2
and 2-3 operation only.

OD OFF
Ignition Switch Lamp TCM

OD Cancel Switch

19

Engine Mounted Inputs

Man. Absolute Engine Speed
Pressure (MAP) (Ig. Module) Powertrain
Control Module
Throttle
These engine and Position (PCM)

body mounted Sensor

(MAP)
sensors are used
for both engine
and transmission
control. They have
a definite affect on Brake Switch

transmission Engine
Coolant Air Conditioning
operation. Temperature (A/C) Switch
Cruise Control
Sensor (ECT)
Information
20

10
 TPS
Throttle Position Powertrain
Sensor (TPS) Control Module
The throttle position sensor (PCM)
(TPS) is a major engine
control sensor. It is mounted
at the fuel injector or
carburetor. The TPS signal to
the transmission controller
performs the same function as
the throttle valve on a
hydraulic-controlled
transmission.
Accelerator Pedal

Animation: Throttle Position Sensor 21

ECT Sensor
The engine coolant
temperature, ECT, sensor
lets the ECM know if the
engine coolant is too cold,
at operating temperature,
or approaching an
overheat condition.

Upper Radiator ECT Sensor

Hose

Animation: ECT Sensor 22

11
 Controllers

This transmission control

module (TCM) has a multi-pin
connector for the wiring
harness. The TCM notes
changes in engine and
transmission operation and
produces the proper output
signal so the transmission can
adapt to those changes.

23

Bus Communication
Powertrain
Control
Module
(PCM)

Body Transmission
Control Control Module
Electronic Shift (TCM)
Module
Indicator Display
(BCM)

The control modules can share input and output information

through a Bus/Multiplex Link. Two wires, normally twisted,
connect two or more control modules. This feature greatly
reduces the amount of wires in a vehicle.
24

12
 Engine Transmission
Coordination
Reduce Torque
When this transmission Torque Reduced
is ready for an upshift, PCM
Shift Complete
TCM

the transmission Cut Fuel

Retard Timing Shift
controller (TCM) signals Instruction
the engine controller
(PCM) to reduce torque/
power. Normal engine
operation resumes after
the shift.
This feature increases transmission life because of
the reduced torque loads during upshifts.
25

Shift Quality
TCM
TCM
Input Speed Output Speed
Sensor Sensor
Input:1,500
Input: 1500rpmrpm
Input Shaft Speed: Output: 500 rpm Output Shaft Speed:
1,500 rpm Output: 500 rpm 500 rpm
GearRatio:
Gear Ratio:3:1
3:1

Planetary Gearset
The TCM compares the speed of the two speed sensors. It
can calculate the gear ratio and the time it took for the
transmission to complete the ratio change. From this, the
TCM can determine if the shift took the proper amount of
time.
26

13
 Shift Quality

If the shift took too much time, the TCM can increase
fluid pressures for future shifts. The TCM can reduce
pressure if the shift was too fast and harsh. It can also
determine if the transmission is slipping internally, and
in this case, it will turn on the MIL, Malfunction
Indicator Light.

27

Outputs

Transmission outputs include:

•Shift solenoids
•Pressure control solenoids
•Torque converter clutch solenoids
•Shift indicator lights
•Malfunction indicator lamps (MIL)

28

14
 Shift Solenoids
Filter
Coil Windings
Screen
A solenoid has a coil of wires
that becomes a magnet when
current flows through the
windings. When magnetized,
the plunger will move to the
right and allow the metering
O-Ring
ball to move off its seat. This Metering Ball
will allow fluid to flow Spring
through the filter screen and
Plunger
out the exhaust. Electrical Connector

Animation: Shift Solenoid 29

Solenoid B+ & Ground

Fuse
A one-wire solenoid is
ECM ECM connected directly to ground
Controls B+
by its mount and switched to
B+ by the ECM to turn it on.
Most two-wire solenoids are
connected to B+ through a
Fuses fuse and the ECM controls the
ground to turn it off or on.
ECM Controls
Ground

30

15
 Shift Solenoid Operation
Drive
1-2 Signal
These shift solenoids 1-2 Shift
control the pressure at Solenoid
one end of a shift valve. 1-2 Shift Valve ON
3-4 Drive
The upper solenoid 2-3 Drive

(normally open) is on so it 2-3 Shift

is blocking fluid flow, and Solenoid
2-3 Shift Valve EX OFF
the pressure is keeping 2-3 Signal
the shift valve to the left.
The lower solenoid is off so fluid pressure escapes to the
exhaust. The spring (at the left end) has moved the valve
to the right.
Animation: Shift Solenoid Operation 31

Direct Solenoid Operation

In this transmission, the
solenoid stems (yellow)
act on the check ball/
Solenoid OFF Solenoid ON
valve. The taper on the
stems opens or closes a Vent Open Vent Closed
vent. When the solenoid is
off, the stem is upward, Valve Closed Valve Open
opening the vent and
closing the valve.
Manual Valve

Animation: Shift Solenoid Operation 2 32

16
 50% Duty One
Duty Cycle Cycle Cycle

ON
Duty Cycle tells us how much of OFF
the time the solenoid is turned on.
Fluid pressure control solenoids are
25%
either cycled or partially applied to ON
Duty
produce a specific pressure. OFF Cycle
Many shift solenoids are either on
or off. Some shift solenoids are ON 75%
cycled to vary the apply rate (fluid Duty
OFF Cycle
pressure increase).

33

PWM Solenoids
Solenoid ON
Control Logic: OFF
Driver Pulse ON
Logic: OFF Full On Hold In
Pulse Duty Cycle
Solenoid
Voltage: 0
Inductive Current Flow Inductive Path
Opened
Solenoid
Current: 0

Pulse width modulation (PWM) turns the solenoid on

and off at a specific pulse width or rate (Duty Cycle).
Some PWM solenoids are cycled at 3 Hz (3,000
times per second).
Animation: PWM Solenoid 34

17
 Fluid Pressure Control

Increasing the current

flow to this pressure
control solenoid/force
motor will reduce line
pressure. No current
flow produces the
highest pressure for
the firmest or
strongest shifts.

35

TCC Apply
Clutch Modern torque converter
Plate clutches, TCC, apply the clutch
Turbine to reduce slippage, reduce
Impeller
Stator emissions, and improve fuel
mileage. TCC application is
commonly controlled using a
Hub solenoid.

Animation: TCC Operation 36

18
 TCC Control
PWM Solenoid
Duty Cycle TCC Fully
Applied
This solenoid is cycled at C D
a 25 to 50% duty cycle
TCC Apply TCC Release
during torque converter Rate Rate
B E
clutch (TCC) apply. This
produces a much F
TCC Apply
smoother TCC apply and A
Pressure
release.

Time
37

MIL

On this vehicle, the OD

cancel lamp (OD OFF) also
serves as the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL). A
transmission problem is
indicated if this light is
flashing.

OD Cancel Lamp
38

19