Adapting to the AW 55-50SN Valve Body
Bob Warnke
Some things are less intimidating if you’re not the first to do it. That statement applies both to crossing a frozen lake and working on a problematic AW 55-50SN. On the lake, heavy snow cover can prevent you from telling if the ice is sufficient for support, and what you can’t see may end in a sink-or-swim experience. On the 55-50SN valve body, a clean core does not mean the valve body is functioning correctly.
This material is a route that other travelers have marked past the “thin ice” of the AW family. At these flags, the test or inspection frequently points to a problem in the valve body, as this accounts for the majority of the transmission’s issues. The 55-50/51-SN is installed in a multitude of vehicles, and there will be variations to the unit and this data. A similar valve body will bolt to a GM, Volvo, Saturn, Nissan, Saab, Opel or Renault. Failure to test and recognize the differences among them can create hours of additional effort.
Pressure and Fill
All the pressure plugs have a 12mm head. Do not mistake the 27mm band anchor (see Figures 1 and 2) for a fill plug or pressure tap. If that anchor is removed, the band will have to be recaptured. Positioning the band requires removal of the servo at best, and possibly the complete transmission.
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The turbine/input sensor hole can be used to improve the fill speed. Low fluid or excessive overfill can create erratic pressure and poor linear solenoid control, eventually forcing a TCM high pressure strategy.
If the transmission is in the vehicle, “test the ice” at the pressure taps relative to these complaints:
TCC RPM Fluctuation and Overheated Fluid
Check lube pressure. The lube pressure tap is between the secondary regulator valve and the main shaft bushings. Lube pressure will be affected by the fluid viscosity (flow rate) and the bushing-to-shaft clearance. Sufficient pressure at operating temperature indicates the filter, pump and both primary and secondary regulators are functioning. Normal lube pressure at the port indicated: At -10º Fahrenheit, lube pressure can be as high as 30 psi. At 150º Fahrenheit, normal lube will be 5 psi in drive and 8 psi in reverse. This indicates the bushings are in place and can retain some of the source pressure. Lube pressure that starts low and stays at zero psi indicates your pump output is low, the regulator valve bore is worn or your bushings are bad.
If you are diagnosing a TCC complaint, perform a cooler flow test. Normal flow in drive with TCC released is 1.3 gpm and during TCC apply it drops to .7 gpm. The Saab cooler element will require an adapter, but most units are easily accessible.
Lube pressure and flow on the 55-50SN is low in comparison to other units. This converter requires multiple valves, along with the rear pump bushing to control modulated TCC apply (see Figure 3). The converter clutch may remain fully applied at very low speed and high load, which taxes the fluid and lining, creating a breakaway slip or RPM fluctuation.
Delayed Engagements and Poor/Flare Shifts
Check SLT pressure and the C-1 clutch. The C-1 clutch is engaged via pressure rise by the SLT solenoid and through a series of modulated valves. The SLT pressure should start at 5 psi in drive and increase with throttle and load to 80 psi maximum. SLT will cut back and spike on various shifts, depending on the TCM program.
Typical C-1 pressure is zero in park. As drive is selected, it quickly steps to 25 psi, then 50 psi, within a half-second and remains until accelerated. C-1 psi will then follow load, with a maximum near 200 psi. If C-1 pressure upon selecting drive is immediately 160 psi and achieves 200 psi during a shift, the unit may be under a TCM code/failsafe mode. Engagements at this time are abrupt. Some vehicles (Volvo, specifically) may use a C-1 disengagement via brake signal creating a neutral at idle. Check for a TCM flash to eliminate this condition.
2-3 Shift Flare, Neutral or Harsh
Compare the B-4 servo apply pressure to the C-1 clutch. The B-4 tap is at the top of the case, in line with the linkage bolts. The B-4 circuit has extensive valve body control and includes a tube with o-ring ends that feed the servo. Comparing C-1 to B-4 is an indication of control by the SLS and SLT linear solenoids, a failsafe or leakage condition.
SLT Air Test
Before removing the valve body from the transmission, you can perform a visual Wet Air Test of the SLT circuit. If you pressurize the SLT port with shop air (80-100 psi), air pressure will push fluid, which you see as a leak. Problematic leaks occur at the steel side cover, SLT accumulator, B-1 and C-1 control valves. A major leak – or combination of leaks – can cause delayed engagements or flare upshift and should be inspected after disassembled.
Valve Body Inspection
There are many variations, which complicates coring and matching parts. Figure 5 identifies visual changes. Currently there are six different shift solenoids, four of which can be installed in the wrong locations or replaced by a normally open vs. normally closed solenoid. The shift solenoids should be checked for proper flow when open and for sealing when closed. These are fed line pressure from an orifice in the plate, and can be over-pressurized.
Three linear solenoids are calibrated to the valve body. Exchanging SLT and SLS solenoids between cores without adjusting to the valves is generally not acceptable. Don’t hesitate to open and inspect the valve body since it’s comparable to other Aisin Warner designs and is not difficult to reassemble. That inspection should include all the removable sleeves, both regulator valves and the solenoid modulator bore. The linear solenoids are fed by this modulator valve, which limits the maximum pressure. When that bore is worn, the concern is similar to a bad GM actuator feed circuit.
Excess wear appears as a discoloration, or polished area, in the shape of a moon phase, generally at the ends of the bore or opposite side of fluid entry (see Figure 6).
Related Units
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