September 30, 2005
Anatomy of a Transmission: Oil Flow in the Pump-PR-Converter-Cooler Lube Circuits
Gregg Nader
Original OE plunger valve must be measured. Match replacement to the OE size.
OE spools .486" and .415": Use 96206-03K.
OE spools .496" and .415": Use 96206-13K.
Mismatched replacement sleeve & plunger will cause TCC apply and other engagement issues
Vehicles with Ford AX4N, 4F50N transmissions frequently have excessive cooler circuit loss as well as torque converter clutch apply and release problems. These complaints can be caused by severe wear of the bypass clutch control sleeve, allowing regulated converter charge and cooler circuit oil leakage. This oil is fed to the lube circuits, cooler, TCC and into the sleeve to help maintain the TCC in the release position. If the sleeve is worn, oil will exhaust past the plunger valve to the sump, thus compromising the balance, but more importantly, leaking critical cooler oil. Sonnax has developed two tightly toleranced bypass clutch control plunger valve kits, 96206-03K and 96206-13K, to eliminate these problems.
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.
September 30, 2005
Gregg Nader