Nissan PULSAR N13 Series / ASTRA LD Series. Instruction — part 35

Automatic Transaxle

141

(2) Incorrectly adjusted kickdown cable: Check

and adjust or renew the kickdown cable as required.

NOTE: Check and adjust the throttle cable
before adjusting the kickdown cable.

ENGINE WILL NOT START IN P OR N
RANGE OR WILL START IN ANY RANGE

(1) Neutral safety switch faulty: Adjust or renew

the neutral safety switch.

(2) Incorrectly adjusted selector cable: Check

and adjust the selector cable as detailed.

2. DESCRIPTION

The automatic transaxle combines a fluid coup-

ling or torque converter with a fully automatic three
speed epicyclic gear system.

The transaxle provides three forward ratios and

one reverse. The hydraulic system consists of a single
pump and valve arrangement.

The final drive or differential and the transaxle

use a common lubricant. The transaxle oil pan and
final drive drain plug will have to be removed to drain
the transaxle completely. Topping up or refilling is
done through the dipstick tube.

The gear selector lever is floor mounted and

connected to the transaxle by an adjustable cable. The
selector quadrant adjacent to the base of the lever is
marked P, R, N, D, 2, 1.

It is necessary for the selector lever to be in P or

N before the engine can be started. When testing or
tuning the engine, the handbrake must be firmly
applied and the selector lever placed in the P position,
otherwise the vehicle could move forward or back-
wards as the engine speed is increased.

For long distance towing the vehicle should be

towed with the front end raised.

It is not possible to start the engine by either

towing or pushing the vehicle.

The transaxle can be removed from the vehicle

without engine removal.

NOTE: As extensive knowledge and equip-
ment is required to overhaul the automatic
transaxle assembly, it is therefore not a
worthwhile repair proposition for the aver-
age person. However if the transaxle must
be overhauled by a specialist or be replaced
with a reconditioned unit, the removal and
installation procedure is fully described at
the end of this section.

3. TRANSAXLE FLUID

Only use the recommended transaxle fluid speci-

fied by the manufacturer when topping up or changing
the fluid in the system.

TO CHECK AND TOP UP

NOTE: The fluid level should be checked
after approximately 5 minutes driving on
the road when the engine has achieved its
normal operating temperature of approxi-
mately 65 deg C.

(1) Place the vehicle on a level floor and open

the engine bonnet.

NOTE: When working on the automatic
transaxle cleanliness is very important. Do
not reuse transaxle fluid and do not allow
foreign matter to enter the filler opening.

(2) Clean around the top of the dipstick to

ensure that no dirt or foreign matter can enter the
dipstick tube.

(3) Place the selector in the P position and

firmly apply the handbrake.

(4) Move the selector through each gear return-

ing it to the P position.

(5) Check the fluid level with the engine running

at idle. Install the dipstick fully into the dipstick tube.

NOTE: If the vehicle has been driven at high
speed, or has been towing a load, or driven
through heavy city traffic in hot weather, a
period of about 30 minutes should be
allowed to permit the transaxle to cool
before checking the fluid level.

(6) Withdraw the dipstick and check the fluid

level reading. The fluid should be at the H mark on
the dipstick. If the fluid is low, stop the engine and
remove the dipstick from the vehicle. Using a funnel,
top up the transaxle with the recommended type of
transaxle fluid through the dipstick tube.

(7) If the level is reading too high allow the

engine to cool down for about 30 minutes and recheck
the level as described. If the level is still too high, a
small amount of transaxle fluid may be drained from
the transaxle.

Checking the fluid level on the automatic transaxle

dipstick.

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Automatic Transaxle

(8) Install the dipstick and start the engine and

recheck the fluid level.

NOTE; Do not overfill the transaxle or
foaming and unsatisfactory operation of the
transaxle will result.

TO DRAIN AND REFILL

This is not a normal maintenance and lubrication

procedure. It is only necessary to drain the complete
system, including the torque converter and the oil
cooler, when the transaxle assembly is removed for
overhaul or the renewal of transaxle components such
as bearings, clutches or assemblies. When this condi-
tion arises, the torque converter and the cooler should
be cleaned and flushed to remove any dirt or sludge.

After transaxle overhaul, install approximately 6

liters of new transaxle fluid, and top up as previously
described.

4. BRAKE BAND

Band adjustment is not a normal maintenance

procedure.

The adjustment entails removal of the valve body

and for this reason the vehicle should be taken to an
authorized dealer.

5. KICKDOWN CABLE

TO ADJUST

(1) On models with a 1.6 liter engine, remove

the air cleaner assembly.

(2) With the aid of an assistant, ensure that the

throttle valve is fully open when the throttle pedal is
fully depressed.

(3) Push the clip on the outer kickdown cable

and pull the cable away from the throttle linkage.

View of the kickdown cable adjustment point. 1.6 liter

engine.

(4) Slowly depress the throttle pedal to the full

throttle position.

The outer kickdown cable will automatically ad-

just and emit a clicking noise.

6. TRANSAXLE SELECTOR LINKAGE

TO ADJUST CONTROL CABLE

(1) Place the selector lever in the Park position.
(2) Loosen the control cable locknuts and ensure

that the transaxle selector lever is in the Park position.

View of the transaxle selector linkage control cable

adjustment.

(3) Hold the selector rod horizontal and adjust

the outer locknut until it touches the selector rod.

(4)

Tighten the inner locknut securely.

7. NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH

The neutral safety switch, incorporating the re-

verse lamp switch is located on the transaxle case

View of the kickdown cable adjustment point. The

arrow indicates the direction in which the outer kick-

down cable must be pulled to initiate the automatic

adjustment. 1.8 liter engine.

Automatic Transaxle

143

facing towards the radiator support panel at the front
of the vehicle.

The neutral safety switch allows electrical current

to pass to the starter circuit only when the selector
lever is in the Park or Neutral position. The switch is
adjustable but non-repairable.

TO TEST

(1) Disconnect the neutral safety switch wiring

connector.

(2) Connect an ohmmeter between terminals 1

and 2 at the neutral safety switch wiring connector.
Continuity should exist when the selector lever is in
the P or N positions.

(3) Perform the same check with terminals 3 and

4 with the selector lever in the R position. Continuity
should exist.

NOTE: If the readings are other than that
specified, the neutral safety switch will have
to be adjusted or renewed.

Neutral safety switch connector terminal identification.

TO ADJUST

(1) Select Neutral and firmly apply the hand-

brake.

(2) Loosen the neutral safety switch retaining

bolts.

(3) Align the holes in the neutral safety switch

body and the neutral safety switch arm.

(4) Install a 2.5 mm diameter split pin or drill bit

into the holes to align the arm with the neutral safety
switch body.

(5)

Secure the retaining bolts and test the switch

as previously described.

If the test indicates a fault, renew the neutral

safety switch.

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it

on chassis stands.

(2) Remove the selector cable split pin and wave

washer from the transaxle selector lever.

(3) Disconnect the electrical connector and re-

move the neutral safety switch retaining bolts.

(4) Maneuver the neutral safety switch clear of

the transaxle selector lever and withdraw the switch
from the vehicle.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Clean the area around the neutral safety

switch mounting.

(2) Apply a small amount of chassis grease to the

jaws of the neutral safety switch arm.

(3) Check the adjustment of the selector cable as

previously described.

(4)

Adjust the neutral safety switch as previ-

ously described.

(5) Check the operation of the neutral safety

switch and ensure that the engine will not start in any
position other than P and N. Check that the reversing
lamps operate only when R is selected.

8. TRANSAXLE ASSEMBLY

Special Equipment Required:

To Remove and Install — Suitable trolley jack to
which the transaxle can be secured

TO REMOVE AND INSTAL

(1) Raise the front of the vehicle and support it

on chassis stands. Remove the left hand front wheel.

(2) Disconnect the negative battery terminal.

Remove the left hand side inner mudguard

(3)

panel.

(4) Remove the left hand drive shaft as de-

scribed in the Instruction Transaxle and Drive Shafts
section.

(5) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor wiring,

selector control cable and the neutral safety switch
wiring from the transaxle. Disconnect the kickdown
cable from the throttle linkage and the support
bracket.

(6) Disconnect the oil cooler hoses from the

Using a 2.5 mm drill bit to adjust the neutral safety

switch.

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Automatic Transaxle

Front view of the automatic transaxle.

transaxle. Plug the hoses and connections to prevent
the ingress of dirt and the loss of fluid.

(7) Remove the starter motor as described in the

Electrical System section.

(8) Mark the torque converter and the drive

plate to aid assembly.

(9) Remove the bolts retaining the torque con-

verter to the drive plate. Rotate the engine to access
the bolts through the starter motor opening.

(10) Remove the bolts retaining the converter

housing to the rear of the engine.

(11) Secure the transaxle to a trolley jack and

raise the transaxle slightly.

(12) Remove the through bolt from the transaxle

mounting.

(13) Support the engine on a jack with timber

between the engine sump and the jack.

(14) Maneuver the transaxle away from the

engine. Lower the trolley jack and withdraw the
transaxle from beneath the vehicle.

NOTE: To prevent accidental separation of
the torque converter from the transaxle
assembly, attach a metal strap across the
converter housing.

Installation is a reversal of the removal procedure

with attention to the following points:

(1) Check the torque converter drive plate for

any damage, wear and runout. The maximum runout
permissible is 0.50 mm.

(2) Ensure that the torque converter is fully

engaged in the transaxle before attempting to install
the transaxle to the engine.

(3) Install the transaxle assembly to the vehicle

and install the converter housing retaining bolts.

(4) Align the torque converter and drive plate

Install a strap to the converter housing to hold the

torque converter in position.

Rear view of the automatic transaxle.

with the marks made on removal.

(5) Install the torque converter retaining bolts.
(6) Turn the engine over by hand several times

to ensure that the torque converter is not binding.

(7) Use only the specified type and quantity of

transaxle fluid.

(8) Connect and adjust the neutral safety switch

and kickdown cable as previously described.

(9) Road test the vehicle and check the opera-

tion of the kickdown cable and selector cable.

(10) After road testing inspect the transaxle for

any fluid leaks and rectify as required.

CONVERTER HOUSING