KEEP THOSE TRANNYS ROLLING

by Pete Huscher
members.atra.com

H
yundai/Kia Motor Company
introduced its first, internally
designed-and-manufactured
A6 six-speed automatic transmission
in 2009. Designing and manufacturing
this new transmission was an enormous
undertaking for them, with more than
150 engineers spending nearly four
years to bring it to market.
With over 300 patents and over
600 individual parts, the transmission’s
compact design is on its way to
becoming the soul of Hyundai/Kia’s
gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.
In this article, we’re going to take a
brief look at the A6MF1 transmission
(figure 1).

Compact Design
The A6 six-speed automatic Figure 1: A6MF1 Transmission
transmission was specifically designed
to be compact. It has a super flat torque application. The first is the A6GF1, maximum torque rating of 170 lb-ft.
converter (figure 2), and it’s smaller and which usually comes with the lower- Next is the A6MF2, which
lighter than its five-speed predecessor. performing 1.2L, 1.6L, 1.8L, and 2.0L usually appears with the 2.4L engine
engines, with less than 160 lb-ft of with a maximum torque rating of 210
The Soul of the A6 torque. lb-ft.
The A6 transmission is quite The second transmission in the A6 Then there’s the A6LF1, which
versatile. Currently, there are six lineup is the A6MF1, which usually sits comes with the 3.3L engine with a
different variations, depending on behind 2.0L or 2.4L engines having a maximum torque rating of 245 lb-ft.
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 The A6
six-speed
automatic
transmission
was specifically
designed to Figure 2: Super Flat Torque Converter
be compact.
It has a super
flat torque
converter...

That’s followed by the A6LF2,

which shows up behind 3.5L or 3.8L
engines, with a maximum torque rating
of 265 lb-ft.
Finally, there’s the A6LF3, which
sits behind the 4.0L engine that has a
maximum torque rating of 300 lb-ft.

A6 Components
The A6 transmission uses three Figure 3: Compact 3 Planet Design
braking clutches — low/reverse,
underdrive, and 2/6 — two driving
clutches — overdrive and 3/5/reverse
— and a one-way clutch, in conjunction
with a compact design, three-planetary
set (figure 3) to create six forward gears
and reverse.
The torque converter is a super flat
design and the closed-type differential
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
carrier assembly uses four-pinions for
greater durability.
The pump is parachoid design,
which looks similar to the older style
pump rotors, but has a new tooth shape
that provides greater oil flow.
1 Line Pressure Control Solenoid 5 UD Solenoid
It uses a three-piece valve body,
2 Shift Solenoid A 6 2/6 Solenoid
which houses eight solenoids — line
3 Shift Solenoid B 7 3/5/R Solenoid
pressure control, shift solenoid A, shift
4 OD Solenoid 8 TCC Solenoid
solenoid B, OD, UD, 2/6, 3/5/reverse,
and TCC (Figure 4) — six accumulators,
and various control valves. Figure 4: Valve body with Solenoids

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 Hyundai/Kia’s A6 Family of Transmissions

The input and output speed

Just recently, they eliminated the A6 sensors are mounted in the trans-
mission case (figure 5). The updated
transmission oil level gauge to allow internal harness allows for replacing
for installing an oil filler cap and individual components (figure 6),
including the speed sensors, trans-
oil level overflow plug. mission fluid temperature sensor,
and the solenoid harness.
The transmission range switch
mounts externally on the shifter
shaft.

A6 Service
Servicing the A6 transmission
Output Speed Sensor is simple. Just recently, they
eliminated the A6 transmission oil
level gauge to allow for installing
an oil filler cap and oil level
overflow plug (figure 7).
Input Speed Sensor The oil strainer or filter mounts
directly to the oil pump assembly
and isn’t accessible without
disassembling the transmission.
The oil filler cap and oil
level overflow plug mount on
the transmission side pan. The
Figure 5: Input & Output Speed Sensors transmission side pan is plastic; be

Oil Filler Cap

Oil Level Overflow Cap

Figure 6: Updated Internal Harness Figure 7: Oil Filler Cap & Oil Level Overflow Plug Added

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 careful you don’t damage the filler cap
or overflow plug and threads.
To service the A6 transmission:
1. Remove transmission oil drain
plug (located on the bottom
of the transmission) and allow
the transmission fluid to drain.
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Discard the oil drain plug gasket.
2. Install the oil drain plug with a
new gasket; torque the drain plug
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to 30 lb-ft; 41 Nm.
3. Remove the oil filler cap and oil
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level overflow plug. Discard the
oil level overflow plug gasket.
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4. Add at least 5 quarts of Hyundai
genuine ATF SP-IV ATF through
the filler cap hole (the transmission
holds 7.1 quarts; 6.7 liters dry).
5. Start the engine and allow it to idle
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until it reaches normal operating
temperature (140ºF; 60ºC).
“On-Demand”
6. Move the shifter lever through
each range twice; return to park.
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7. Slowly add transmission fluid
through the oil filler cap hole until
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fluid dribbles out the oil level
overflow plug hole.
8. Install the oil level overflow NOW AVAILABLE FACTORY DIRECT
plug with a new gasket (torque
overflow plug to 30 lb-ft; 41 Nm).
9. Install the oil filler cap. Clean
oil residue from drain plug and
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GEARS March 2017 35

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 Hyundai/Kia’s A6 Family of Transmissions

A6 Diagnosis TCM Relearn

Diagnosing the A6 transmission is module (TCM), located in the left rear You’ll need to perform a transmis-
pretty straightforward. Luckily, the A6 engine compartment. You can access sion control module relearn procedure
transmission has pressure ports for each transmission control module through after any major transmission repair
clutch circuit, the TCC apply and release the DLC connector, located below left or replacement, or after replacing
circuits, and reducing pressure circuits dash area. or reprogramming the transmission
(figures 8, 9, and 10). This makes it easy Refer to your specific vehicle control module.
to diagnose hydraulic problems. application for code definitions and There are two types of TCM
The A6 transmission system is diagnostic routines. The TCM is capable relearning procedure to be performed
controlled by the transmission control of relearning. on the TCM. The first is called the
garage shift or stationary relearn
procedure. This procedure teaches the
TCM to provide proper engagement.
To perform the garage shift/stationary
LR Pressure Tap relearn procedure:
1. Bring the engine to normal
operating temperature (140º-240ºF;
60º–115ºC).
2. Verify the engine idle is below 700
RPM.
3. Apply the service brakes.
4. Move the shifter lever from park to
neutral and hold it in neutral for more
than 2 seconds; then return to park.
5. Move the shifter lever from park to
Figure 8: LR Pressure Tap drive and hold it in drive for more
than 2 seconds; then return to park.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least four times.
That should do it: the garage shift/
stationary relearn procedure should
be complete.
UD Pressure Tap The second TCM relearn procedure
is the drive relearn procedure. This
teaches the TCM how to shift the
transmission. To perform the drive
relearn procedure:
1. Move the shifter lever into drive.
2. Accelerate from a stop through the
complete shift pattern. Maintain an
APPS percentage between 15-20%
with no more than a 3% change.
Figure 9: UD Pressure Tap 3. Come to a full stop.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least four times.
That’s all there is to it; the drive
Dampner Release Pressure Tap relearn procedure should be complete.

More A6 Information
Dampner Apply Pressure Tap Well, there you have it: a brief look
at Hyundai/Kia’s A6MF1 transmission.
For more information, such as bulletins,
GEARS Magazine articles, and a
webinar on the A6LF1 transmission,
35R Pressure Tap visit the ATRA Tech Center.
With a little bit of knowledge and
understanding, you should have no
26 Pressure Tap problem keeping Hyundai/Kia’s family
of A6 trannys rolling.

Figure 10: Dampner, 35R & 26 Pressure Taps

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