Opel Astra, Zafira

Since 1998 of release

Repair and car operation

Automatic transmission

The general information

Arrangement АТ and components accompanying it in an impellent compartment of the car (bottom view)

4-step automatic transmissions (АТ) consists of the hydrotransformer (the rotation converter), planetary assemblages and гидравлически operated муфт coupling and brake tapes. Management of transmission functioning carries out ECM by means of electrooperated valves. АТ has three modes of movement: normal (economic), sports and winter.

The normal (economic) mode is intended for usual style of driving when the gear change upwards occurs at rather low turns of the engine corresponding to a mode of the minimum expense of fuel. Switching in a sports mode is carried out by means of located on the lever of the selector of the button and leads to a delay of raising switchings of transmission that leads to increase of dynamic characteristics of the car, however is accompanied by some increase in the expense of fuel. About inclusion of a sports mode the control lamp «SPORT» (the Operation manual see the Head) warns. For inclusion of a winter mode of functioning it is intended located on the central console to switch, - трогание the car from a place at activation of the given mode occurs from the third transfer that essentially raises quality of coupling of protectors with a slippery road covering.

The hydrotransformer (the rotation converter) provides transfer of a twisting moment from the engine to a transmission. Thanks to that rotation transfer is carried out in the hydraulic way (through трансмиссионную a liquid - ATF), трогание the car and a gear change occur very smoothly. Besides, the hydrotransformer provides dynamic updatings of size of a twisting moment at dispersal.

Planetary mechanism AT provides possibility of a choice of four lobbies and one back transfers. The transfer relation of a planetary reducer is defined by what of its elements are blocked and what rotate freely. Blocking and отпускание elements of planetary assemblages in АТ is made with the help муфт coupling and the brake tapes activated on commands, arriving from the management module. Placed inside картера transmissions the hydropump a pressure of the working liquid necessary for activation of couplings and brake tapes.

The driver operates АТ by means of the car established on a floor and the lever of the selector having seven positions. Position «D» (Drive) provides possibility of switching of transmission on any of four forward transfers, thus function kickdown provides automatic transition to a hill-climbing gear at squeezing against the stop gas pedals (for the purpose of increase of the transfer relation, providing to the car the raised dynamic characteristics necessary, for example, at fulfilment of overtaking). In position «1» forward switchings of transmission are completely blocked also the car can move only on the first transfer. The choice of positions «2» and «3» provides transmission switchings between first two / three transfers, providing possibility to make braking by the engine in difficult road conditions (for example, at movement in mountain district). It is necessary to remember that switching АТ on a hill-climbing gear can occur only after adequate decrease in turns of the engine. Position «R» (Reverse) corresponds to a reverse gear choice, position "N" (Neutral) - neutral and position «Р» - a parking.

In view of complexity of design АТ, absence on free sale of replaceable internal components, and necessity of use of the special equipment, composers of the present Management do not recommend to owners of cars to carry out transmission major repairs by own forces. In the present Chapter procedures of diagnostics of the general refusals of transmission, its routine maintenance, adjustments, removals and installations are considered only.

Sometimes, in case of serious breakage to replace transmission more reasonably and easier, than to waste time and means for restoration of the failed assemblage. Without dependence from the chosen way of introduction refused АТ in action, independent performance of its removal and installation expenses (before make sure that transmission really requires regenerative repair) will help to cut down substantially.