TECHNICAL TRAINING

Shift Pointers
Author: Jesse Zacarias
Subject Matter: Shift adaptations
Unit: VW 01M
Vehicle Applications: 1999 New Beetle
Issue: Slight binding feel on 2-3 shift

Adaptations Critical to Proper Shifts

n previous articles I have explained

the important part that adaptations
play in the shift quality and proper
operation of a transmission. I have corrected many shift complaints from
other shops that just could not get the
transmission to shift properly simply
by resetting the adaptations.
In this article Ill use the VW 01M 23 shift to explain the hydraulic part of
the adaptation. Lets use the most-recent case I had, a 99 VW New Beetle
with a 01M transmission that had a
slight binding feel on the 2-3 shift.
The shift that is most likely to give
us a problem when adaptations are not
reset on the 01M transmission is
the 2-3. Most-common symptoms
2
are bind-up or flare during the
shift.
Lets start by explaining what
takes place during a 2-3 shift in
the 01M, using the 98-and-up
model. Figure 1 shows the voltage
readings obtained by back-probing each solenoid at the TCM; we
are reading voltage drop in reference to battery ground. When a
solenoid reads battery voltage it
means the solenoid is OFF, and
when it reads less than 1 volt it is
ON. To accomplish the 2-3 shift,
the B2 clutches have to be released
while the K3 clutches are being
applied. In second gear, shift solenoid N88 (#1) is OFF and shift solenoids N89 (#2) and N90 (#3) are
both ON. This shift-solenoid state
allows the K1 and B2 clutches to
be applied. If the B2 clutches are
released too soon we get a 2-3
flare. On the other hand, if the K3
clutches are applied too soon we
get a 2-3 bind. The shift timing is
controlled by the transmission
control module (TCM), taking into
continues page 20
18

Yellow N89 (#2)

Green N90 (#3)

Blue N92 (#5)

Red N94 (#7)

2-3 transition period

Transmission Digest

Technically Speaking
consideration its learned
3
adaptation settings.
The 2-3 shift is initiated
with the N90 (#3) (green)
turned OFF and the N92
(#5) (blue) turned ON simultaneously (Figure 1).
Turning OFF N90 allows
the K3 shift valve to send
main line pressure to the K3
clutches, but because N92 is
turned ON the K3-clutch
regulator valve blocks the
fluid from reaching the K3
clutches (Figure 2). The
N92 pressure (light blue in
Figure 2) has to go through
an orifice before getting to
the K3-clutch regulator
Cursor 1 second gear
valve, which means there is
Channel 1 N92 AVDC
a slight delay in K3 apply
pressure coming from turn4
ing OFF solenoid N90. This slight
delay allows the fluid coming from the
K3 shift valve to pre-fill the K3-clutch
circuit before the N92 fluid closes the
path by stroking the K3-clutch regulator valve, thus serving as the servo
phase of the shift. At the same time the
engine computer reduces engine
torque and the TCM reduces transmission main line pressure (Figure 3).
For the next phase of the 2-3 shift,
the N89 (yellow in Figure 1, green in
Figure 4) is turned OFF. That releases
the B2 clutches and causes the sungear shell to start turning, producing a
Yellow G38
turbine-speed (G38) signal to be sent
to the PCM (Figure 4). When the turbine-speed signal reaches a certain frequency shift solenoid N92 (blue in Figure 1, red in Figure 4) is tuned
OFF, allowing main line pressure to apply the K3
clutches (Figure 5), and engine torque is resumed.
This stage of the shift is when the TCM adaptations
play an important part. The TCM bases the time needed to release the B2 clutches and apply the K3 clutches
on its learned adaptation setting. If we change the
clearance on either the B2 or K3 clutch or alter the line
pressure, we have affected the timing required to
apply or release these clutches and have changed the
basis for the learned adaptations. Most technicians do
not reset the adaptations before driving the vehicle
after a repair or do not wait for the transmission to
reach operating temperature. When they feel a shift
flare or bind-up they are too quick to condemn the
transmission when all it needs is to have the adaptations reset.
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2-3 shift
Cursor 2 start of the 2-3 shift
Channel 2 main line pressure

Green N89

Blue N90

Red N92

Resetting the adaptations requires a capable scan

tool. Snap-ons Scanner is capable if you use the 13.4
and later version. Here are the steps. After identifying
the vehicle, establish communication with the engine
module.
Select Engine Management (Figure 6).
Select Functional Tests (Figure 7)
Select Adaptation (Figure 8). You will be asked to
confirm that you want to change the adaptations. If so
select Continue (Figure 9).
Make sure that a 0 value is entered in the channel
(Figure 10). If so select OK.
Select Continue (Figure 11)
Select Continue (Figure 12)
Do not forget to stop communication after you are
finished (Figure 13). You should end up with the
screen in step 1.
continues page 22
Transmission Digest

Shift Pointers
Now you need to drive the vehicle so it can learn the new adaptations. The transmission must be at
operating temperature or the adaptations will not be learned. With
25% throttle drive the vehicle to
obtain shifts 1-4. When 4th is obtained, bring the vehicle to a stop
in less than 1 minute. Repeat this
about five times. One word of caution here: Do not accelerate hard
during the adaptation relearning,
as the ECM will cut the fuel and
the engine will not accelerate well
until you back off the throttle.
After the shifts have been adapted, you will need to adapt the N-D
and N-R initial engagements by
doing five N-D engagements in the
following manner: Place the vehicle in Neutral, then in Drive; wait
five seconds, then place in Neutral.
Wait five seconds and then repeat
the procedure four to five times.
Then do the same for Reverse, following the same procedure.
Resetting the adaptations is part
of the job anytime a repair has been
continues page 24

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Transmission Digest

Shift Pointers
continued from page 22
done to the transmission or the TCM or ECM has been
replaced or re-flashed. This will contribute to a properly shifting transmission.. TD

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Jesse Zacarias is the owner of Elec-Tran Diagnostics (www.electrandiagnostics.com) in Gilroy, Calif., and part of the research-and-development department at Valve Body Pros.

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Transmission Digest