Low Range - First Gear is commanded by the TCM when vehicle speed is low enough not to overrev the engine (calibratable in the TCM). Changes to the hydraulic and electrical system are as follows.
Important: Power flow for Low Range - First Gear is exactly the same as Drive Range and Intermediate Range - First Gear, with the exception that the low and reverse clutch (B3) assembly is applied in order to achieve maximum engine braking. To minimize the amount of repetitive text, the description of Low Range - First Gear includes only those components that are different from the description of Drive and Intermediate Range - First Gear. For the remaining description of First gear hydraulic power flow, refer to Drive and Intermediate Range - First Gear .
In the LOW (L) position, the manual valve routes line (2) pressure into the drive (19) fluid circuit exactly the same as in DRIVE (D) or INTERMEDIATE (I) range.
The normally closed reverse SS valve assembly is energized, allowing fluid pressure in the S5 signal (18) fluid circuit to exhaust through the solenoid.
S5 signal (18) fluid is exhausted from the shift pressure relay valve and spring force moves the valve to the released position to allow drive or reverse (20) fluid to enter the reverse control (25) fluid circuit. Reverse control (25) fluid pressure is routed through the B4 control valve and on to the B5 control valve.
Reverse control (25) fluid is regulated through the B5 control valve into the B5 control 1 (37) fluid passage.
B5 control 1 (37) fluid pressure is routed to the #5 accumulator check valve assembly and moves the check valve against spring force in order to help cushion the apply of the low and reverse clutch.
B5 control 1 (37) fluid pressure passes through the solenoid relay valve into the B5 control 2 (38) fluid circuit. B5 control 2 (38) fluid pressure is then routed through the U1 shift valve and on to the M1 shift valve.
B5 control 2 (38) fluid passes through the M1 shift valve into the low and reverse clutch (24) fluid circuit.
Low and reverse clutch (24) fluid is routed to the low and reverse clutch piston to apply the low and reverse clutch plates.