45RFE ATRA Bouletin
45RFE ATRA Bouletin
45RFE ATRA Bouletin
Transmission: 41TE/42LE/42RLE/45RFE/545RFE
Series
Subject: Module Strategies and Learn Values
Application: All
Issue Date: February, 2006
41TE/42LE/42RLE/45RFE/545RFE Series
Module Strategies and Learn Values
Shift Strategies
The TCM continuously checks for electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic problems. If a problem is detected, the
TCM stores a DTC. Some DTCs cause the TCM to go into limp-in mode. There are 4 basic shutdown modes.
Immediate Shutdown - The TCM de-energizes the EATX relay. The system will go into an immediate fail-safe
default of 2nd gear 41/42 series and 3rd gear RFE series. The RFE will have 2nd gear if the shifter is moved
into the lower 2 or L ranges. Park, Neutral, and Reverse are still available.
Orderly Shutdown - The TCM recognizes a problem that does not require an immediate shutdown. The trans-
mission will remain in current gear and the EATX relay will remain energized until the effects of de-energizing
it will not cause the engine to over speed. When safe the EATX relay will be de-energized and default actions
will be the same as immediate shutdown.
Logical Shutdown - The TCM does not de-energize the EATX relay. Instead the transmission utilizes 1st and
3rd gears while in D and uses 2nd gear while in 2 or L. All transmission operation in this mode will be at a pre-
set line pressure (open loop RFEs). The transmission will resume normal operation if the problem goes away.
Three recoveries are permitted in a given key cycle, after the fourth occurrence the operation described above
will be maintained.
Logical Shutdown with Recovery - Same as Logical Shutdown but resumes normal operation if the detected
problem goes away. If three recoveries occur in a given key cycle an Orderly Shutdown occurs.
Quick Learn
All of the electronically controlled transmissions will have a quick learn feature that must be done after trans-
mission repair has been completed (the exception is first design controllers used in A604; if they have been
updated they will have quick learn capabilities). New seals, new rings, new clutch's mean that the shift qualities
must be relearned and CVI values reset to base values in order to prevent premature failures caused during road
testing. The vehicle must still be driven in order to fine tune these learn values. Quick learn resets more than 70
learn parameters to their preset values.
The RFE transmissions have a drive learn that allows you to fine tune individual shifts such as N-D engagement
feel. This feature allows individual shifts schedules to be fine tuned. Important to note; If the shift linkage is out
of adjustment causing the range sensor to feed back transitional signals to the module you will have erratic shift
concerns that will not set a code and cause shift concerns. When in OD it must read OD on the scan parameter
and not a temporary (T3 or T4) parameter. Perform the Drive learn as follows for concerns:
- Transmission oil temperature must be between 80° - 110° F (27° - 43° C).
- Start engine only when the engine and ignition have been off for at least 10 minutes.
- Vehicle at a stop and service brake applied, record UD CVI while performing a Neutral to Drive Shift. During
the shift, the UD CVI will temporarily show a different value which is the 1st N-1 UD CVI. The first N-1 UD
CVI accounts for air entrapment in the UD clutch that may occur after the engine has been off for a period of
time.
-Repeat until the recorded 1st N-1 UD CVI value stabilizes.
-It is important that this procedure be performed when the transmission temperatures were listed as above. If
temperatures are higher that the previous values it must cool down before performing this learn procedure. This
will improve daily as the customer uses the vehicle. The TCM also learns at higher oil temperatures, but these
values (line pressure correction values) are not available for viewing on a scan tool.
Procedure to Learn a Smooth 4-3 Coast down and Part Throttle 4-3 Kick down
Use the following procedure to have the TCM learn the UD shift volume.
Procedure to Learn a Smooth 4-3 Coast down and Part Throttle 4-3 Kick down (continued)
Use the following procedure to have the TCM learn the 2C shift volume.
Procedure to learn a Smooth Manual 2-1 Pull down Shift as well as a Neutral to Reverse Shift
Use the following procedure to have the TCM learn the L/R CVI volume.
If any of the shifts are still not smooth after the clutch volume stabilizes, an internal transmission problem
may be present! Always verify that the software for the TCM is the latest software.