Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Power Flow In First Gear
Drive torque is applied to the torque converter impeller and transferred to the turbine. The turbine shaft rotates clockwise (CW). The "A" clutch locks the turbine shaft to the rear input ring gear. The rear input ring gear rotates CW driving the rear planet pinions CW. The planetary pinions drive the common sun gear CCW, which in turn drive the front planet pinions CW. The front planetary carrier is held from rotating CCW by one way clutch "J". The front planetary pinions which are rotating CW drive the front ring gear/rear carrier CW. The rear planetary carrier is rotating CW and is driving the planetary carrier from the auxiliary gear set. The "E" clutch in the auxiliary gear set is holding the Sun gear and the ring gear together. Therefore the auxiliary gear set is locked in a 1:1 ratio. See Fig 1.
One Way Clutch "J" is locked to prevent the front planetary carrier from rotating CCW. One Way Clutch "H" is not used and One Way Clutch "K" is locked. One way clutch "K" is used to prevent an interruption in power flow before the "E" clutch is locked during the 4-3 shift. See Fig 2.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.