AL4 automatic transmission - Description of the box, main faults

Diagnostics of the automatic transmission system

The service life of an automatic transmission largely depends on the operating mode of the vehicle. General diagnostics of this system allows you to assess the technical condition of the car.

A number of problems with the functioning of the gearbox are associated with the fact that there is a low oil level in the automatic transmission.

What are the symptoms of low oil level in an automatic transmission? There are several reasons why there is an insufficient fuel level in the box:

• the sealing element is deformed;
• a crack has appeared on the box, which is why the transmission is leaking;
• there is a defect in the pallet;
• mistakes were made when adding fluid to the gearbox.

Low oil level has a negative effect on driving. The driver should be alerted to poor response to gear shifting.

An oil leak may be due to the fact that the pan is deformed, for example, if the movement took place over rough terrain, or there was a collision with a road obstacle or curb.

However, a lack of fuel may be caused by the fact that when replacing it, less than the required amount of fluid was added to the box. Each individual version of the car requires a certain amount of oil (Peugeot 307 - 4 liters, Ford Focus 2 - 6 liters, Kia Rio needs 12 liters).

For automatic transmissions, it is recommended to use oil that meets the requirements of the car manufacturer. It must have good protective properties, thereby reliably protecting transmission elements from wear.

Important! When the transmission fluid is changed, you need to pay attention to its color. The fuel should not have a burning smell.

What's the result?

First of all, when operating an automatic transmission, the owner must take into account that for normal operation of the unit, it is necessary to carry out timely and efficient maintenance, pay attention to the oil level in the automatic transmission, its condition, color, smell, etc.

Also, when changing the oil in an automatic transmission with your own hands, you need to know how much oil to pour into the automatic transmission, depending on the type of unit and the replacement method itself (hardware, spill, partial, with or without disassembling the automatic transmission, etc.). The main thing is to add enough fluid so that when the automatic transmission is warming up, the level is between o and “hot” on the dipstick.

Ignoring this rule, that is, deviation of the ATF level from the norm, leads to the fact that the automatic transmission begins to work incorrectly and malfunctions, and the wear rate of the box accelerates. Finally, we note that problems can often arise after incorrectly filling the automatic transmission with oil. To avoid such troubles, you need to fill ATF into the automatic transmission, taking into account all recommendations.

What functions does ATF transmission oil perform in an automatic transmission? How to add oil to an automatic transmission exactly at the level, tips and tricks.

Checking the oil level in an automatic transmission: how to check the ATF level. What else to pay attention to: color, smell, ATP contamination, etc.

High oil level in the automatic transmission: consequences of oil overflow into the automatic transmission. Why pouring oil into an automatic transmission is dangerous for the unit, recommendations.

Checking the transmission oil in the automatic transmission, what to pay attention to: oil color, transparency of the automatic transmission fluid, smell, degree of ATF contamination.

Consequences of a lack of transmission fuel in automatic transmissions

What happens if you continue to drive with a low oil level in the automatic transmission? First of all, the service life of the crankcase is reduced. Experiencing oil starvation, the gearbox will overheat and fail faster.

Due to insufficient oil, gears engage with a delay. If you continue to move, the clutches will soon “burn out” due to lack of oil in the automatic transmission.

The next manifestation when the transmission level is low is that the car will begin to slip. If you continue to move with this problem, the box bearings will quickly wear out. Signs of their breakdown are the appearance of a grinding noise when changing gears, a whistle.

Overheating of the box is one of the signs that the oil is below the required level. The cost of automatic transmission repair is high due to the complexity of its execution. That is why the driver needs to adhere to a measured driving style and visit the service station in a timely manner.

Thus, several signs of a low transmission level stand out:

• the appearance of grinding noises;
• The automatic transmission does not work stably;
• overheats.

Overfilling, just like underfilling, leads to premature failure of the box. The driver needs to monitor the oil level in the automatic transmission. The functioning, controllability and safety of the car depend on this.

How to remove excess oil yourself?

In order not to overfill the volume of petroleum product, make sure that the selector is positioned correctly. What are the dangers of a high oil level in an automatic transmission? Symptoms of overflow are:

• gears do not change;
• heat exchange decreases;
• gearbox overheats;
• The gearbox wears out quickly.

The listed signs of increased lubrication levels can be eliminated using the following methods:

1. Contacting a car service.
2. Removing the oil filter. This method is used in most cases when the overflow is not too large. The grease is allowed to drain from the oil filter, then put it back.
3. Suction. An IV tube is placed on the medical syringe. Its free end is immersed in the probe hole. Excess liquid is removed using a syringe plunger.

Source: motoroil.ru

Checking the oil level in the automatic transmission

A number of cars are equipped with a special dipstick, with which it is possible to measure the level of transmission fluid.

1. This procedure must be performed on a warm engine.
2. Start the car on a flat surface and place the lever in the “P” position.
3. Next, access to the box is provided and the probe is pulled out.
4. If there is a lack of oil in the automatic transmission, it is advisable to add new fluid to the required amount. In this case, it is worth using the fuel that was filled in earlier, of the same brand.

You can find out where the dipstick is located on the vehicle from the owner's manual. As a rule, this item looks like a brightly colored handle.

A normal oil level ensures uninterrupted operation of the box. Ignoring the rules for replacing transmission fluid leads to the fact that the automatic transmission will begin to work incorrectly. Add oil in small portions until it flows over the edge.

Switching modes, AL4 box rocker

The gearbox slide is located in the central part of the cabin. Purpose, selection of the desired mode by influencing a special contactor device and a spool that switches hydraulic modes. The slide is equipped with six positions; switching occurs by moving the selector panel along the slot in the stream.

Gear selector positions:

• P - parking mode, transmission is locked, starting the power plant is possible;
• R — reverse mode, when turned on, the reverse lights light up at the same time;
• N - neutral mode, starting the power plant is possible;
• D — automatic adaptation mode “Drive”, shifting forward gears from first to fourth and back;
• 3 – Automatic mode, limited to three gears (1-2-3 and back);
• 2 – Automatic mode, limited to two gears (1-2 and back);

Modes "2" and "3" are automatically limited because they are computer controlled.

Important! To unlock the gear shift lever from the “P” position, you must turn on the ignition and press the brake pedal, “Shift-Lock” function.

The gearbox is equipped with a special mechanical protection mechanism that prevents damage to transmission parts when moving incorrectly from one shift position to another. The transition from the following provisions must occur through the provisions:

• From "P" to "R";
• From "R" to "P";
• From "N" to "R";
• From "D" to "N";
• From "3" to "2".

In order to satisfy the driver's needs for driving with the use of additional speed modes, a software selector is structurally provided. The mechanism is equipped with three keys and is located on the side of the drawstring.

Gear shifter paired with program selector:

Selector programs:

• Standard program (no keys pressed, slider in position “D”):

The program is considered the main one; when used, the computer analyzes the driving style and adapts it to the road conditions and vehicle load. The main goal is to achieve lower fuel consumption and optimal distribution of force;

• Program “Sport” (key “S” pressed, rocker in position “D”):

Using the program involves automatic gear shifting, but the computer gives preference to a sporty style and does not pay attention to the amount of fuel consumed;

• Program “Snow” (key “*” pressed, slide in position “D”):

Using the program, the computer adapts to slippery road surface conditions. Driving starts in second or third gear with infrequent downshifts. This mode allows you to reduce wear on the gearbox mechanisms and increase its service life;

• First gear forced limitation mode (key “1” pressed, rocker in position “2”):

The gearbox will only operate in first gear.

Features of the “Shift Lock” program:

When moving the rocker to the “P” position without pressing the brake pedal, the automatic transmission selector will be locked. When the vehicle is stationary and the engine speed exceeds 2000 rpm, moving the lever to position “D” does not engage gears.

Important! When you turn off the ignition and then turn it back on, the computer automatically switches to the standard program.

Indication on the information board:

Low ATF level

A lack of fluid in an automatic transmission can occur after prolonged use due to leaks and evaporation of ATF. If the leak occurs quickly enough, for example when the pan is punctured, the car will refuse to drive almost immediately. A small flaw is much more dangerous; it will kill the box slowly and unnoticed by the owner.

Symptoms

• Slipping and downshifting when driving, especially on an uphill climb, when the pump begins to capture air from the sump instead of oil.
• Jerks when changing gears.
• The howl of the box and the change in the sound of operation at different speeds.

Consequences

A low oil level disrupts the temperature regime of its operation - a smaller amount heats up much faster, and the liquid begins to “burn.”

The pump will capture air along with the oil, resulting in an air-oil emulsion, which is a compressible liquid. The torque converter in an automatic transmission works precisely due to fluid pressure, and a change in its characteristics will affect the correct operation of this unit, and the entire box as a whole.

The ATF life will decrease and it will have to be changed much faster.

The lubrication of the gearbox parts and heat dissipation will deteriorate, resulting in a reduction in the service life of the automatic transmission itself.

Consequences of overflow

An overflow of oil in the gearbox may be caused by the fact that when the used oil product is drained, a small portion of it remains in the gearbox. In view of this, when changing the oil fluid, it is advisable to monitor its level with a dipstick. If necessary, top up must be done, increasing the amount of lubricant in the unit.

The consequences of overflowing lubricant are as follows:

• compression in the automatic transmission will increase;
• friction elements will begin to slip;
• There will be jerks when changing gears.

If you notice that gears are shifting jerkily, turn off the engine and allow the transmission to cool. Otherwise, the unit may burn out. Not all motorists can understand that the lubricant volume indicator is higher than normal. Experts advise draining excess oil through a special hole. If the overflow is insignificant, then nothing bad will happen, otherwise the following may happen:

• Excess lubricant under the influence of temperature will end up on the seals. This will cause them to break;
• car oil will get on the spark plugs, as a result the cylinder block will fail;
• fuel costs will increase due to oil getting on the air flow indicator;
• wear of the lubricant complex will accelerate;
• Air particles will appear in the lubricant, attracting dust and dirt, which will negatively affect the functioning of the crankcase and oil filter.

High ATF level

The main reason for a high oil level is precisely incorrect measurements, after which the car owner begins to independently add fluid to the box.

When replacing at a service station, workers may also fill too much. The reason is simple: hot fluid is drained, cold fluid is poured in, and hot ATF has a much larger volume. This means that the cold one will subsequently expand even more.

Symptoms

You can determine that the oil level is above normal by the following signs.

• The transmission begins to become dull, kick, and gears may not engage.
• ATF leaks in the area of ​​the breather, dipstick, seals. It is no coincidence that it is red in color, which distinguishes it from all other process fluids.
• Foam on the dipstick. It’s not just the presence of bubbles, but a stable foamed liquid.

Consequences

The clutch discs begin to slip relative to each other, and this leads to their combustion and increased wear.

The consequences of overfilling are almost the same as with underfilling. The liquid begins to reach the rotating parts of the box and foam, forming an emulsion. Only in addition to compressibility and poor heat transfer, you also get a serious increase in the volume of ATF, the excess of which will be released through the breather of the automatic transmission ventilation system.

Tips and tricks

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that if there is a low level of ATF in the box, the air and oil being caught by the pump causes the formation of an air-oil mixture.

Such a fluid is prone to loss of properties, pressure drops, clutches slip, and the risk of automatic transmission overheating increases. Naturally, if you operate an automatic transmission with a low ATF level, this will inevitably damage the automatic transmission.

Foaming of the oil can be determined by air bubbles on the dipstick of the automatic transmission. Simply put, the oil foams, the foaming liquid is evenly distributed over the surface of the dipstick. Bubbles are not isolated.

If the dipstick is completely dry, you should be prepared to immediately add 1-2 liters of oil (depending on the type of automatic transmission). Let us also add that in cases where the ATF level is higher than normal, foaming of the transmission oil in the automatic transmission may also begin. As a rule, loads and high speeds lead to this.

It is also important to understand that as the level increases, the rotating elements of the automatic transmission literally “beat” the fluid, increasing its volume. The result is that the unit may become oily after the excess is discharged through the automatic transmission breather. This problem will be indicated by ATF fluid stains on the gearbox housing in the area of ​​the breather, transmission oil leaks, etc.

How to check the oil level correctly

Box with probe

It is precisely because of the enormous importance of the amount of ATF in the machine that it is important to be able to measure it correctly.

If the technical documentation for the car does not provide clear instructions on the test method, use generally accepted rules for all automatic transmissions.

1. The measurement is made with the transmission warmed up to operating temperature. It is important to warm up the box and the fluid in it, and not the engine. It is difficult to do this at idle; you need to drive at least 10-15 kilometers.
2. Measurements are made with the engine running. Only in this case, the fluid circulates throughout the entire system, and does not stand idle in the crankcase.
3. The selector lever is in position P (parking). In this position, the radiator valve opens and fluid circulation is complete.

Ways to remove excess oil

With a slight overflow, the problem is not acute, so there is no need to panic. When an excess of liquid is detected in a timely manner, there is no need to involve service employees in the process. If a motorist has poured oil into the automatic transmission when replacing it, he is able to completely cope with the task on his own. Often the solution is to remove the oil filter. When the liquid completely drains from the filter element, it is replaced. If such manipulations do not help eliminate the problem, the excess amount of lubricant is removed by sucking it out.

To remove excess oil yourself in this way, you will need a 10 cc syringe and a dropper. Next, we perform a number of simple steps:

• cut off 60 - 70 cm from the tube;
• we lower it with one end lower into the hole for the dipstick (if there is none, we use the filler hole);
• We put the second end of the tube on the syringe without a needle and use the piston to remove excess oil;
• During the process, we check the fluid level so that later you don’t have to add lubricant.

If the volume of oil poured is more significant, then the excess will need to be drained through a special hole.

The procedure for removing excess grease is quite simple, so even a novice motorist can cope with it. The main thing is to observe the condition of monitoring the fluid level, so as not to cause troubles associated with a lack of lubricant. It is necessary to check the volume and condition of ATF at the intervals established by the car manufacturer's regulations or more often in the presence of unfavorable operating conditions of the vehicle.

What to add

After the measurements, the question arises: how to level the oil level in the automatic transmission. Manufacturers often indicate information about the fluid suitable for your box on the dipstick or in the documentation for the machine.

An automatic transmission is much more convenient for the driver than a manual one, especially when driving in urban conditions. At the same time, it is more complex from a technical point of view, and the automatic transmission is one of the most expensive units in a car. In order to keep it in working condition for as long as possible, it is necessary to keep the amount of oil in the machine at the level recommended by the machine manufacturers. Every driver should know how to check the oil level in the machine to determine whether it needs to be topped up for proper operation of the unit.

AL4 box description

The AL4 automatic transmission was introduced to the automotive market in 1999. Initially, the unit was intended for installation on Renault cars; according to the company's classification, the transmission was labeled DP0. The gearbox was installed on popular Renault models and soon began to be used on the PSA Group assembly line; the transmission began to be labeled as AL4 (HP16), a rare designation BVA is found.

Automatic transmission AL4 (DP0) was installed on cars:

The transmission was designed for use on cars with front-wheel drive, paired with units with a volume of 1.4 to 2.0 liters. Some automatic transmission modifications differ in their housing, drive gears and settings. The automatic transmission is simple and reliable; the design does not include unnecessary parts and mechanisms. The safety margin included in the calculations is capable of allowing the mechanism to withstand an impulse of up to 210 Nm, however, to increase the service life, these indicators are limited by the settings.

Brief technical characteristics of the AL4(DP0) automatic transmission are presented in the table:

Signs of low oil in an automatic transmission

Experts recommend completely changing the oil in an automatic transmission on modern cars approximately every 60-70 thousand kilometers. In this case, you may need to add oil earlier. According to the recommendations of the developers of automatic transmissions, you need to check the oil level in the automatic transmission every 5-7 thousand kilometers. This will allow you to predict when it will be necessary to add fluid, as well as detect wear on the oil pump gasket and ring, due to which oil can quickly leave the box.

If you do not monitor the oil level and it is not enough, the following symptoms will appear:

• On a stationary vehicle with the engine running, the transmission will make a lot of noise when changing speed;
• The car will jerk when shifting into higher gears.

It's best not to let the transmission get to the point where symptoms of low oil levels appear. Timely checking the amount of oil in the machine and adding it will extend the service life of the box.

How to add oil to an automatic transmission

First of all, you need to understand that the process of pouring oil into the box may differ depending on the type of unit (mechanical, robot, variator, hydromechanical automatic) and the features of its design.

As for manual transmission, in this case two methods are usually used:

• pour oil through the control hole;
• fill through the breather;

In principle, both the first and second options do not seem particularly complicated and can easily be implemented in an ordinary garage with an inspection pit. In order to pour oil into the mechanic's box, it is enough to unscrew the control hole plug, after which either a hose with a funnel is inserted there, after which the oil is poured, or the lubricant is filled using a special syringe (can be bought at a car store).

Read more: Replacing the Lada Kalina oil pressure sensor, where is it located and why does the DDM light come on?

As soon as the level reaches the lower edge of the inspection hole, the plug can be tightened. The only thing is that you may additionally need to change the control hole plug gasket.

In the case of filling through the gearbox breather, this method is in some cases somewhat simpler. However, the downside is that it is more difficult to control the oil level if you do not unscrew the control hole plug.

• Now let's move on to the automatic transmission. If you need to pour oil into an automatic transmission, you need to remember that such units are extremely sensitive to its level. Moreover, overfilling the automatic transmission with oil has the same negative impact on the transmission as underfilling it.

In other words, it is very important to set the oil level in the automatic transmission correctly. For this reason, you need to start by checking the transmission fluid level in the automatic transmission.

To do this, you need to warm up the box (drive the car for about 10-15 km), then put the car on a flat surface (do not turn off the engine), let the engine idle for about 5 minutes, alternately turn on the main automatic transmission modes for 3-5 seconds, shift

box selector

in P (on some cars in N, check the manual) and remove the automatic transmission oil dipstick. Then wipe the dipstick with a clean, lint-free cloth, firmly insert it back for a couple of seconds and remove it again.

Normally, the dipstick reading should be halfway between COLD and HOT. The main thing is that the indicators are not higher than the HOT mark. Also, the ATF level is not allowed to drop below the COLD mark.

Please note that if you rely on the readings when the oil in the automatic transmission has not been preheated, the data will be inaccurate. As a result, you can make a mistake and overfill the automatic transmission with oil, since with heating the transmission fluid expands and dilutes.

You also need to understand that the level is checked with the engine running, that is, when the oil is circulating throughout the unit. If you check with the engine turned off, the automatic transmission oil pump does not work, oil flows from the parts into the pan, etc.

Please note that the location of the dipstick may vary on different cars. Also, due to inexperience, you can confuse the transmission dipstick with the engine oil dipstick. Typically, the automatic transmission dipstick has a red “loop”, while the engine oil dipstick has a yellow one.

On rear-wheel drive vehicles, the box is located closer to the engine shield. Accordingly, the dipstick is often located there too. On front-wheel drive cars, the gearbox and dipstick are located closer to the front of the engine compartment.

Let's return to adding oil to the automatic transmission. It is not difficult to guess that if you have a dipstick, in most cases you can fill ATF through its neck. To add oil, a tube with a funnel is inserted into the neck (you can only insert a funnel), the engine remains running, the gearbox is switched to P mode. The oil must be poured in slowly, in small portions and gradually. You should periodically check the level on the dipstick to ensure it is not exceeded.

After the level has returned to normal, you should drive the selector lever through all the gearbox modes. This allows you to start the circulation of transmission fluid and check the quality of the box. Then the dipstick needs to be removed again and the level checked again.

When checking, it is important to firmly insert the probe into the hole and check its tightness. As a rule, machines with an automatic machine have special probe latches to fix this element. So, when the probe is inserted, the latches need to be activated. Ignoring this rule may result in the oil level readings in the automatic transmission being incorrect.

Home… Repair and maintenance

Every modern car with an automatic transmission needs timely and, most importantly, quality service.

In this article we will talk about how to properly check the oil level in an automatic transmission on a Toyota, and also tell you why you need to check the level, what problems can be caused by low or high oil levels in the box.

As a rule, checking the amount of oil on Japanese automatic gearboxes is carried out with the engine running and the “P” mode set. Almost all drivers who drive an automatic transmission know that the “P” mode means parking. The photo shows the shift lever for a Toyota Corolla automatic transmission.

Next, after starting the engine and putting it in parking mode, we find the location of the dipstick in our car. This is very easy to do - you just need to look through some technical documentation and find its location in your car. Or you can pay attention to the picture below and see where this probe is approximately located.

Having found it, we take it out and wipe it with a dry cloth, preferably one that does not have lint. After we wiped it off we can see some marks on it. As a rule, there are only two of them: the first is COOL.

This mark is used to check the oil on unstarted vehicles. It is advisable that the car not be driven for at least 4-5 hours before the inspection. The second mark is HOT. This mark is intended to check the oil level when the machine engine is running.

In the photo below you can see how and where the marks are located.

Having seen the marks, it is worth saying that although there are two marks there, it is best to check the level with the engine running and preferably warmed up to the average normal temperature. Typically it is 90 degrees Celsius.

So, we warmed up the car, pulled out and wiped the dipstick, put it back in its place, wait a few seconds and pull it out again. It should clearly show the lubricant level in the automatic gearbox of your Corolla.

If its level is below the HOT mark, then it is worth adding it little by little with the engine off. Then, check again by performing the above procedure again.

After the lubricant has been added and its level is back to normal, we install the dipstick in its place and we can drive without problems. This completes the automatic transmission check procedure.

Now it’s worth talking about the problems that can arise from a lack of lubricant in the box or, conversely, from its excess.

A small amount of lubricant in the box can lead to a huge number of problems. As a rule, when its level is low, the pump pumping oil begins to capture air along with the working fluid.

As a result of this process, an emulsion is formed that compresses very well. The oil begins to lose one of its most important properties - it becomes easily compressible under good pressure.

And this already leads to the emergence of such problems as:

• Poor heat dissipation from the automatic gearbox;
• Low oil pressure in the system;
• The lubrication of the working parts of the automatic transmission deteriorates, which in turn very quickly disables the box, etc.

Therefore, you should carefully monitor the amount of oil in the automatic transmission of your car, otherwise you will have to pay a lot of money for its restoration and repair because of some little thing.

An excess can lead to increased load on the oil pump, as a result of which it can easily fail. And since they are not repairable, replacing it can cost a lot. Having dealt with possible problems, let's talk about how much oil needs to be poured into the box and what volume is optimal for the normal operation of the box.

As a rule, Corolla owners change an average of 4 to 5.5 liters. The volume depends on the type of automatic transmission, on the model of the car itself, since models of different years may have different automatic transmissions installed, with a different number of gears, etc.

In order to know exactly the required amount of lubricant, you need to read the technical documentation and find out the requirements set by the manufacturer for a given vehicle.

After the material is poured, we start the car, warm it up and be sure to check its quantity on our dipstick. If the level is lower, then you need to add oil; if the level is higher, then you need to drain the oil a little.

Therefore, we need to achieve the ideal level for your box. Thanks to this process, your car will enjoy its durability and quality of service.

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Read more: The very first car in the world

Skoda Octavia A5 with a 1.6 engine is paired with an automatic transmission 09G HFS manufactured by AISIN. This automatic transmission is a Type-tronics system: with the ability to switch from automatic mode to semi-automatic control mode, with the choice of any gear.

The automatic transmission consists of a torque converter that transmits torque from the engine to the automatic transmission. Using the pump, the operating fluid pressure is created in the torque converter, lock-up clutches, and in the automatic transmission range selection valve and the gearbox parts are lubricated. Depending on the pressure of the working fluid, the desired (speed) gear of the machine is switched.

And for this reason, it is very important to monitor the oil level in the Skoda Octavia A5 automatic transmission. But since the box is probeless, checking the working fluid is carried out as follows.

1. To check the ATF level in the automatic transmission (09g), it is necessary that the automatic working fluid be 30-35 degrees. The temperature will be measured using a VAG-COM cord, see how to do this here.

2. The car must be in a horizontal position! Start the engine and unscrew the fluid control plug.

3. At a normal level, the working fluid will begin to flow out or drip at a temperature of another 35-37 degrees. When reaching 45 degrees, the plug must be tightened. This is how the ATF level is set.