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Infiniti I35 (A33). Manual - part 8

TCM FUNCTION

=NHAT0014S03

The function of the TCM is to:

Receive input signals sent from various switches and sensors.

Determine required line pressure, shifting point, lock-up operation, and engine brake operation.

Send required output signals to the respective solenoids.

INPUT/OUTPUT SIGNAL OF TCM

NHAT0014S04

Sensors and solenoid valves

Function

Input

Park/neutral position (PNP) switch

Detects select lever position and sends a signal to TCM.

Accelerator pedal position sensor

Detects accelerator pedal position as throttle valve position signal, and
sends a signal from ECM to TCM.

Closed throttle position signal

Detects throttle valve’s fully-closed position and sends a signal from ECM
to TCM.

Wide open throttle position switch

Detects a throttle valve position of greater than 1/2 or full throttle and
sends a signal from ECM to TCM.

Engine speed signal

From ECM.

A/T fluid temperature sensor

Detects transmission fluid temperature and sends a signal to TCM.

Revolution sensor (VHCL/S SE-1)

Detects output shaft rpm and sends a signal to TCM.

Vehicle speed sensor (VHCL/S
SE-2)

Used as an auxiliary vehicle speed sensor. Sends a signal when revolu-
tion sensor (installed on transmission) malfunctions.

3rd position switch

Sends a signal, which prohibits a shift to D position, to the TCM.

Power train revolution sensor

Detects forward clutch drum rpm and sends a signal to TCM.

Stop lamp switch

Send the lock-up release signal to the TCM at time of D

(lock-up).

Output

Shift solenoid valve A/B

Selects shifting point suited to driving conditions in relation to a signal
sent from TCM.

Line pressure solenoid valve

Regulates (or decreases) line pressure suited to driving conditions in rela-
tion to a signal sent from TCM.

Torque converter clutch solenoid
valve

Regulates (or decreases) lock-up pressure suited to driving conditions in
relation to a signal sent from TCM.

Overrun clutch solenoid valve

Controls an “engine brake” effect suited to driving conditions in relation to
a signal sent from TCM.

A/T CHECK indicator lamp

Shows TCM faults, when A/T control components malfunction.

CAN Communication

NHAT0285

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

NHAT0285S01

CAN (Controller Area Network) is a serial communication line for real time application. It is an on-vehicle mul-
tiplex communication line with high data communication speed and excellent error detection ability. Many
electronic control units are equipped onto a vehicle, and each control unit shares information and links with
other control units during operation (not independent). In CAN communication, control units are connected with
2 communication lines (CAN H line, CAN L line) allowing a high rate of information transmission with less wir-
ing. Each control unit transmits/receives data but selectively reads required data only. Refer to EL-448.

IDX

OVERALL SYSTEM

Control System (Cont’d)

AT-29

Control Mechanism

=NHAT0015

LINE PRESSURE CONTROL

NHAT0015S01

TCM has various line pressure control characteristics to meet the
driving conditions.
An ON-OFF duty signal is sent to the line pressure solenoid valve
based on TCM characteristics.
Hydraulic pressure on the clutch and brake is electronically con-
trolled through the line pressure solenoid valve to accommodate
engine torque. This results in smooth shift operation.

SAT003J

Normal Control

NHAT0015S0101

The line pressure to throttle opening characteristics is set for suit-
able clutch operation.

SAT004J

Back-up Control (Engine brake)

NHAT0015S0102

If the selector lever is shifted to 2nd position while driving in D

(O/D) or D

, great driving force is applied to the clutch inside the

transmission. Clutch operating pressure (line pressure) must be
increased to deal with this driving force.

SAT005J

During Shift Change

NHAT0015S0103

The line pressure is temporarily reduced corresponding to a
change in engine torque when shifting gears (that is, when the shift
solenoid valve is switched for clutch operation) to reduce shifting
shock.

At Low Fluid Temperature

NHAT0015S0104

Fluid viscosity and frictional characteristics of the clutch facing
change with fluid temperature. Clutch engaging or band-con-
tacting pressure is compensated for, according to fluid
temperature, to stabilize shifting quality.

OVERALL SYSTEM

Control Mechanism

AT-30

SAT006J

The line pressure is reduced below 60°C (140°F) to prevent
shifting shock due to low viscosity of automatic transmission
fluid when temperature is low.

SAT007J

Line pressure is increased to a maximum irrespective of the
throttle opening when fluid temperature drops to −10°C (14°F).
This pressure rise is adopted to prevent a delay in clutch and
brake operation due to extreme drop of fluid viscosity at low
temperature.

SHIFT CONTROL

NHAT0015S02

The shift is regulated entirely by electronic control to accommodate
vehicle speed and varying engine operations. This is accomplished
by electrical signals transmitted by the revolution sensor and
throttle position sensor. This results in improved acceleration per-
formance and fuel economy.

SAT008J

Control of Shift Solenoid Valves A and B

NHAT0015S0201

The TCM activates shift solenoid valves A and B according to sig-
nals from the accelerator pedal position sensor (throttle position
sensor) and revolution sensor to select the optimum gear position
on the basis of the shift schedule memorized in the TCM.
The shift solenoid valve performs simple ON-OFF operation. When
set to ON, the drain circuit closes and pilot pressure is applied to
the shift valve.

Relation between shift solenoid valves A and B and gear positions

Shift solenoid valve

Gear position

, 2

, 1

, 2

, 1

(O/D)

N-P

ON (Closed)

OFF (Open)

ON (Closed)

OFF (Open)

ON (Closed)

IDX

OVERALL SYSTEM

Control Mechanism (Cont’d)

AT-31

Control of Shift Valves A and B

NHAT0015S0202

SAT009J

Pilot pressure generated by the operation of shift solenoid valves
A and B is applied to the end face of shift valves A and B.
The drawing above shows the operation of shift valve B. When the
shift solenoid valve is ON, pilot pressure applied to the end face of
the shift valve overcomes spring force, moving the valve upward.

LOCK-UP CONTROL

NHAT0015S03

The torque converter clutch piston in the torque converter is locked
to eliminate torque converter slip to increase power transmission
efficiency. The solenoid valve is controlled by an ON-OFF duty
signal sent from the TCM. The signal is converted to an oil pres-
sure signal which controls the lock-up piston.

Conditions for Lock-up Operation

NHAT0015S0301

When vehicle is driven in 3rd or 4th gear positions, vehicle speed
and throttle opening are detected. If the detected values fall within
the lock-up zone memorized in the TCM, lock-up is performed.

Selector lever

D position

3rd position

Gear position

Vehicle speed sensor

More than set value

Accelerator pedal position sensor
(Throttle position sensor)

Less than set opening

Closed throttle position switch

OFF

A/T fluid temperature sensor

More than 40°C (104°F)

SAT010J

Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Valve Control

NHAT0015S0302

The torque converter clutch solenoid valve is controlled by the
TCM. The plunger closes the drain circuit during the OFF period,
and opens the circuit during the ON period. If the percentage of
OFF-time increases in one cycle, the pilot pressure drain time is
reduced and pilot pressure remains high.
The torque converter clutch piston is designed to slip to adjust the
ratio of ON-OFF, thereby reducing lock-up shock.

OVERALL SYSTEM

Control Mechanism (Cont’d)

AT-32

Content .. 6 7 8 9 ..