Servicing - A/t Dodge Aries I

SERVICE INTERVALS

Check fluid level every 6 months. Draining, refilling and band adjustments are not required under normal driving conditions. Under heavy duty (severe service) conditions, change fluid, replace filter and adjust bands every 15,000 miles.

Rear Wheel Drive Models

1. With vehicle on level ground, apply parking brake, and run engine at curb idle for at least 60 seconds. Shift selector through all positions, ending in Neutral.
2. Fluid level should check between "ADD" and "FULL" marks of dipstick. Check condition of fluid for contamination or burned smell. Do not overfill. Fully reseat dipstick.

Front Wheel Drive Models

1. With vehicle on level ground, apply parking brake, and run engine at curb idle for at least 60 seconds. Shift selector through all positions, ending in Park.
2. Fluid level should check between lower hole of dipstick (fluid warm), and upper hole of dipstick (fluid hot). Check condition of fluid for contamination or burned smell. Do not over fill. Fully seat dipstick.

RECOMMENDED FLUID

Use only fluids of type labeled Dextron II Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF).

FLUID CAPACITY

Note. Transmission and converter assembly capacities given below are approximate. Correct fluid level should be determined by mark on dipstick. Converter is a welded assembly and is not serviceable, replacement is recommended if contaminated.

TRANSMISSION REFILL CAPACITIES

DRAINING & REFILLING

1. Loosen oil pan bolts at one corner. Tap pan to break it loose, allowing fluid to drain. Remove pan bolts and remove pan. Adjust rear band on rear wheel drive models, if required.
2. Install a new filter and gasket (if equipped) on bottom of valve body and tighten screws. Clean pan.
3. On rear wheel drive models, install pan with new gasket. Make sure round magnet is over boss in right front corner of oil pan. On front wheel drive, install new pan, using RTV to form gasket.
4. Add 4 quarts (3.8L) of transmission fluid. Start engine and allow to idle for one minute.
5. With engine at curb idle and parking brake applied, move shift selector through all positions, ending in "N" ("P" on front wheel drive models). Add enough fluid to bring level to "ADD" mark on dipstick (1/8" below ADD on front wheel drive models).
6. Recheck fluid level after transmission has reached normal operating temperature. On rear wheel drive models, fluid level should be between "FULL" and "ADD" marks on dipstick. On front wheel drive models, fluid level should check between lower hole of dipstick (fluid warm), and upper hole of dipstick (fluid hot). Do not over fill. Ensure dipstick is fully seated.

KICKDOWN BAND (FRONT)

Note. Kickdown band adjusting screw is located on left side of transmission case above throttle linkage lever on rear wheel drive models, and on left side (top front) of transaxle case.

1. Loosen adjusting screw lock nut, and back off 5 turns. After making sure adjusting screw turns freely in case, tighten screw to 72 INCH lbs. (8 N.m).
2. Back off screw 2 1/2 turns. Hold adjusting screw in this position and tighten lock nut. KICKDOWN BAND ADJUSTMENT Application Back Off Screw All Models 2 1/2 Turns

LOW-REVERSE BAND (REAR)

Note. Low-Reverse band adjusting screw is located on rear servo lever. Transmission oil pan must be removed to provide access to band adjusting screw. (Scheme 33)

Scheme 33

1. Drain transmission and remove oil pan. Loosen band adjusting screw lock nut about 5 turns. Ensure adjusting screw turns freely in case. In rear wheel drive models, tighten adjusting screw to 72 INCH lbs. (8 N.m). On front wheel drive models, tighten adjusting screw to 41 INCH lbs. (4.6 N.m).
2. On all models, back off adjusting screw specified number of turns given in «LOW-REVERSE BAND ADJUSTMENT»(/dodge/aries/i-1981-1989/remont/automatic-trans/#servicing-at) . Hold in this position and tighten lock nut. Install oil pan and fill transmission with fluid. LOW-REVERSE BAND ADJUSTMENT Application Back Off Screw A-904-LA 4 Turns A-413 & A-470 3 1/2 Turns

Scheme 34

1. Make sure carburetor is not on fast idle cam (disconnect choke if necessary). Raise vehicle on hoist to make adjustment at transmission throttle lever. Loosen adjustment swivel lock screw. Swivel must be free to slide along flat end of throttle rod so that preload spring action is not restricted.
2. Hold transmission lever firmly forward against its internal stop, and tighten swivel lock screw. This completes throttle rod adjustment, as linkage backlash was automatically removed by preload spring.
3. To check linkage freedom of operation, move throttle rod rearward, and release slowly. Ensure it returns to full forward position.

Scheme 35

1. Ensure carburetor is not on fast idle cam (disconnect choke if necessary). Loosen adjustment bracket lock screw. Bracket must be free to slide on its slot for proper adjustment.
2. Slide bracket to left (toward engine) to limit of its travel. Release bracket and move throttle lever fully to right, against its internal stop. Tighten adjusting bracket lock screw. This completes adjustment, as backlash was automatically removed.
3. To check linkage freedom of operation, move transaxle throttle lever forward and slowly release. Ensure it returns to full rear position. (Scheme 35)

Console or Column Shift (Rear Wheel Drive Models)

Place shift selector in "P" position. Loosen adjustable swivel lock screw, making sure swivel block is free to turn on shift rod. Move shift lever on transmission all the way to rear detent position (Park). Tighten swivel lock screw.

Note. If it is necessary to disassemble linkage cable from lever, replace old plastic grommets with new ones. Use pliers to snap new grommet into lever and rod into grommet.

Scheme 36

Console or Column Shift (Front Wheel Drive Models)

Place shift selector in "P" position. Loosen lock bolt on cable adjusting bracket on transaxle. Move shift lever on transaxle all the way to rear detent (Park) and hold. Tighten lock bolt. (Scheme 37)and (Scheme 38).

Scheme 37

Scheme 38

NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH

1. Center terminal of the 3 terminal neutral starting and back-up light switch provides ground for starter solenoid circuit through shift lever in Park or Neutral positions only.
2. To test, remove wiring connector from switch and check for continuity between center pin of switch and case. Continuity should exist only when transmission is in Park or Neutral. NOTE: Check shift linkage adjustment before replacing a switch that tests bad.
3. To replace, unscrew switch from case (some fluid will escape). Move shift selector lever to Park, and then to Neutral position. Check to see that switch operating fingers are centered in switch opening in case.
4. Install switch with new seal into case and tighten. Check transmission fluid level. The back-up light switch circuit is through the 2 outside terminals of the switch.
5. Continuity should exist between the two terminals only when transmission is in Reverse. No continuity should exist from either terminal to case.

See also:
• LOW-REVERSE BAND ADJUSTMENT