External Controls
External ControlsGEAR SELECTOR LEVER ASSEMBLY COMPONENT LOCATION
INTRODUCTION
The gear selector lever assembly is located in a central position on the transmission tunnel, between the front driver and passenger seats. A mounting plate is secured to the transmission tunnel and provides the mounting for the selector lever assembly.
The selector lever comprises a cast mounting plate which provides for the location of the selector components. The lever is connected to a gimbal mechanism which allows for the selection of P, R, N, D in a forward or backward direction and selection between automatic and manual/sport in a left/right transverse direction. When manual/sport mode is selected, the lever can be moved in a forward or backward direction to select + or - for manual (CommandShift) operation.
When the selector lever is moved to the M/S position, the Bowden cable to the transmission is mechanically disconnected at the shifter. If left in Sport mode all gear changes are performed automatically. If Manual (CommandShift) mode is selected, all gear changes are based on switched ground inputs received by the TCM (transmission control module) from the Manual +/- CommandShift switch.
The selector mechanism houses the following components:
^ Manual +/- CommandShift switch
^ Shift interlock solenoid
^ High/Low range selector switch
^ Hill Descent Control (HDC) switch
^ Selector position LED (light emitting diode) display
^ Selector lever position switch
^ Manual/Sport switch
^ Key interlock mechanism.
There are four selector lever positions and two additional positions for manual/sport operation:
^ P (Park) - Prevents the vehicle from moving by locking the transmission
^ R (Reverse) - Select only when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is at idle - selects reverse direction
^ N (Neutral) - No torque transmitted to drive wheels
^ D (Drive) - This position uses all six forward gears in high and low ranges
^ M/S (Sport mode) - This position uses all six forward gears as in 'D', but will upshift at higher engine speeds improving acceleration
^ + and - ('CommandShift' mode) - Movement of the selector lever in the +/- positions, when the lever is in the M/S position, will operate the transmission in manual (CommandShift) mode, allowing the driver to manually select all six forward gears. The selector lever position is displayed to the driver on the selector position LED (light emitting diode) display and in the instrument cluster. In 'CommandShift' mode, if a gear is selected, but the TCM (transmission control module) logic prevents selection of that gear, the requested gear is initially displayed. The TCM (transmission control module) will engage the next allowed gear and then display that gear.
^ The selector lever position is displayed to the driver on the selector position LED (light emitting diode) display and in the instrument cluster. In 'CommandShift' mode, if a gear is selected, but the TCM (transmission control module) logic prevents selection of that gear, the requested gear is initially displayed. The TCM (transmission control module) will engage the next allowed gear and then display that gear.
Manual +/- CommandShift Switch
The manual +/- switch is located on the left hand side of the selector lever assembly. The switch comprises a housing which provides the location for a sliding contact. When the selector lever is moved to the manual/sport position, a dog on the lever engages with a slotted abutment on the switch sliding contact. When the lever is moved to the + or - position the dog moves the switch completing a momentary earth circuit with one of two microswitches at each end of the switch which correspond to the + or - positions.
This momentary signal is received by the TCM (transmission control module) which, on first operation of the switch, initiates manual mode and operates the transmission in the selected gear.
In this position, a spring will move the selector lever to the center position when released.
Shift Interlock Solenoid
The shift interlock solenoid is located at the front of the selector lever assembly. The selector lever is connected to a locking plate which has two holes which correspond to the 'P' and 'N' positions. When the ignition is on or the engine is running, the solenoid is energized by the TCM (transmission control module) when the selector lever is in the 'P' or 'N' positions. When energized, the solenoid ejects a pin which engages in the locking plate preventing the lever from being moved.
When the footbrake is applied, a signal from a brake switch is passed to the TCM (transmission control module) which de-energizes the solenoid allowing the lever to be moved from the 'P' or 'N' position. This prevents the selector from being moved to the 'D' or 'R' position unintentionally and the application of the brakes also prevents the vehicle 'creeping' when the gear is engaged.
High/Low Range Selector Switch
The high/low range switch is located on the selector lever cover, on the right hand side of the selector lever. The switch can be identified by the a high/low range legend graphic and the switch lever is colored white. High or low range can be selected using this switch providing the vehicle speed is within defined limits and the gear selector lever is in the neutral position.
Hill Descent Control (HDC) Switch
The HDC switch is located on the selector lever cover, on the left hand side of the selector lever. The switch can be identified by the HDC legend graphic and the switch lever is colored yellow. Operation of the HDC switch is not directly related to automatic transmission operation.
Selector Position LED Display
The selector position LED (light emitting diode) display is located on the selector lever cover, between the HDC and high/low range switches. The display has a graphic which shows the lever positions P, R, N, D, M/S and +/-. The P, R, N, D and M/S positions each have a small, red LED (light emitting diode) which illuminates when that position is selected. The +/- positions do not have an LED (light emitting diode).
The LED (light emitting diode) display is controlled by the selector lever position switch, with the two components connected via a five wire ribbon cable. The LED (light emitting diode) display is powered from the GEM (generic electronic module) and remains illuminated until the GEM (generic electronic module) is in sleep mode. The LED (light emitting diode) display is active at all times when the ignition is on.
Selector Lever Position Switch
The selector lever position switch is located on the right hand side of the selector lever assembly. The switch has a moving contact which is connected to the selector lever. As the lever is moved, the sliding contact moves in the switch completing a circuit with four further contacts in the switch which represent the four lever positions; P, R, N and D. The switch is connected to the selector position LED (light emitting diode) display via a ribbon cable and provides the power for the display LED (light emitting diode)'s. The switch receives its power supply from the GEM (generic electronic module).
Manual/Sport Switch
The manual/sport switch is located at the rear of the selector lever assembly. The manual/sport switch is a cam operated microswitch. A lever with a roller is attached to the switch body. When the selector lever is moved from the automatic 'D' position to the manual/sport 'M/S' position, the roller contacts a cam on the selector lever which depresses the switch lever and operates the switch. The switch contacts remain closed when the selector lever is in the manual/sport position.
The operation of the switch completes an earth path which is sensed by the TCM (transmission control module) which switches the transmission operation to sport when M/S is selected and deselects sport mode when D (automatic operation) is reselected. The completed earth path is connected to the TCM (transmission control module) via the M/S LED (light emitting diode) on the selector lever display which is illuminated by an output from the TCM (transmission control module) when M/S is selected.
Selector Cable
The selector cable is a Bowden type cable that connects the selector lever to the manual selector spool valve. A 'C' clip secures the outer cable to the selector lever assembly. The inner cable is secured to an arm which is connected to the selector lever via a 'U' shaped bracket and pin.
The transmission end of the outer cable is secured to a bracket on the transmission by a clamp nut. The transmission has an operating lever which is attached to and operates the manual selector control spool valve. The inner cable is attached to the operating lever by a clamp bush and locknut. The clamp bush allows for the adjustment of the selector cable.
Key Interlock Mechanism
The key interlock mechanism prevents the key from being removed from the ignition switch when the selector lever is any position other than 'P' PARK. This prevents the vehicle being accidentally left in neutral which would cause the vehicle to move if the handbrake was not applied.
The mechanical mechanism is operated by a Bowden cable which is attached between the selector lever assembly and the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned to the on position, the switch rotates a lever which in turn pulls the cable. This lifts a latch in the selector lever assembly which is engaged with the selector lever when in the 'P' position.