Grand Caravan FWD V6-3.8L VIN L (2001)
Band Apply Servo: Description and Operation
Kickdown Servo
SERVO KICKDOWN
DESCRIPTION
The kickdown servo (Fig. 196) consists of a two-land piston with an inner piston, a piston rod and guide, and a return spring. The dual-land piston
uses seal rings on its outer diameters and an O-ring for the inner piston.
OPERATION
The application of the piston is accomplished by applying pressure between the two-lands of the piston. The pressure acts against the larger lower land
to push the piston downward, allowing the piston rod to extend though its guide against the apply lever. Release of the servo at the 2 - 3 upshift is
accomplished by a combination of spring and line pressure, acting on the bottom of the larger land of the piston. The small piston is used to cushion
the application of the band by bleeding oil through a small orifice in the larger piston. The release timing of the kickdown servo is very important to
obtain a smooth but firm shift. The release has to be very quick, just as the front clutch application is taking place. Otherwise, engine runaway or a
shift hesitation will occur. To accomplish this, the band retains its holding capacity until the front clutch is applied, giving a small amount of overlap
between them.
