Reference Book 

Service Information Highlights  and Tech News
 

8-Speed Automatic Transmission Update

and
Service Best Practices

REFERENCE BOOK AND TECH NEWS

November 2012
Service Information Update  Reference Book 
  and Tech News

INTRODUCTION 
This month, we have two Master Tech programs. The first program will focus on the three
different 8-speed transmissions offered in Chrysler Group vehicles: the 8HP45, the 845RE,
and the 8HP70 (Fig. 1). We’ll give a brief overview of the 8HP45 before we talk about some
of the things you can look forward to in the near future.

Figure 1: 8HP45 (left), 8HP70 (middle), 845RE (right)

We’ll give a brief overview of the 8HP45 before we talk about some of the things you can
look forward to in the near future. We’ll then turn our attention to the 845RE. After
discussing what vehicles you’ll find the 845RE in, we’ll get into some of the internal
components and discuss some of the service implications, focusing on how it differs from the
8HP45 and 845RE. Then we’re going to spend time looking at the service procedures that
are unique and noteworthy.

Figure 2: 8HP70 Transmission

 
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After going over the three 8-speed Table of Contents:

transmissions in detail, we’ll turn our
attention to the new for 2013 Ram 1500
Stop/Start system. We’ll explore the
components that are unique to the
Stop/Start system first, and then we’ll
take a look at the enablers that make the
system work.
Naturally, we’ll discuss the service points
you’ll need to know in order to keep this
system up and running properly.
Lastly, we’ll cover some of the diagnostic
information you’ll need to service the
Stop/Start system. After that we'll have a
short bonus program: Service Best
Practices. In that program, we'll look at
some recommendations and new
technology that will affect the entire
service department.
INTRODUCTION ..................................... 2
8-SPEED
TRANSMISSION OVERVIEW ................ 4
8-SPEED
TRANSMISSION SERVICE .................... 6
FUEL EFFICIENCY
IMPROVEMENTS .................................. 10
RAM STOP/START ............................... 12
REPAIR ORDER PATH ......................... 14
WIADVISOR ............................................ 15
THREE Cs AND SIX STEPS ................. 18
VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED
WORKSHEET ......................................... 19
TECH’S CORNER ................................... 21

Note that the Master Tech Reference

Book contains information not found in
this month's web program. However, you
will need the web program to answer the
questions in the online quiz.
This month's Tech News continues with a
Tech's Corner article. It's a good practice
to review the reference book as you
progress through the web course.  
   

 
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8­SPEED TRANSMISSION OVERVIEW
The 8HP45 was covered in-depth in the In mid-2013, the Ram 1500 will switch
June 2011 Master Tech program. If you from the ZF-built 8HP45 to the Chrysler-
missed that one, you’ll want to go back built 845RE, still paired only with the
and review the program. Here is a quick 3.6L V-6.
overview.
The 8HP45 and 845RE transmissions look
The 8HP45 is built by ZF in Germany. It nearly identical from the outside. It’s only
arrives in the U.S. and is installed as an when you get inside the case that things
assembly. This transmission was start to look different (Fig. 4).
launched in the 2012 model year in the
Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. For the
2013 model year you’ll also find the 8HP45
in the Ram 1500.

Vehicles with the Stop/Start feature have

technologies that set them apart from
vehicles without the Stop/Start system.
(Fig. 3).

Figure 4: 8HP45 and 845RE internal

components

While some internal components will

share part numbers, most internal
components will not be interchangeable
between the 8HP45 and the 845RE.
For instance, while the clutch packs look
very similar, they are not interchangeable.
Figure 3: Unique Components of the Looking a little closer at the 845RE clutch
Stop/Start System packs, the D clutch has an extra pair of
separator and friction plates for improved
It should also be noted that the 8HP45 vehicle performance (Fig. 5).
only comes behind the 3.6L engine. The
845RE is based on the ZF-designed
8HP45, but it is built by Chrysler in
Kokomo, Indiana. In 2012, expect to see
this technology being used in more
Chrysler Group vehicles, including the
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango,
and more.

Figure 5: Extra Clutch and Separator in the

D Clutch

 
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You’ll also notice a deeper oil pan on the 845RE used in the Grand Cherokee. This gives
not only increased fluid capacity, but also improves lubrication (despite the angle of
installation) (Fig. 6).

Figure 6: 8HP45 Oil Pan on Bottom, 845RE Oil Pan on Top

The ZF-built transmissions can only be
serviced to a certain extent while under
warranty. Refer to warranty bulletin D-
12-21 for more information. The 8HP70
8-speed automatic transmission is built by
ZF in Germany and received as an
assembly.
This new transmission will roll out in the
2013 calendar year in the Ram 1500, Jeep
Grand Cherokee, and the Dodge Durango.
The 8HP70 looks similar to the 8HP45,
being almost the same length, even
having similar components (Fig. 7).
While a few parts are interchangeable,
most are not. The 8HP70 is a larger,
heavier-duty version of the 8HP45.
Due to the increased size, you’ll find the
majority of the internal components such
as rotating components, the case, and
output shafts (among others), are not
interchangeable. The majority of the
service tools, as well as diagnostics, are
common between the 8HP45 and the
8HP70.

Figure 7: 8HP70 Rear, 8HP45 Front

 
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8­SPEED TRANSMISSION SERVICE
The first procedure we’ll cover is the
manual park release. There are two
different procedures: one for cars, and one
for the Ram truck.

The Ram 1500 has the release behind this

trim panel, above the parking brake
release handle. To manually release the
park lock, push this lock aside before
pulling on the red strap (Fig. 8). The
lever will latch into the unlock position,
putting the transmission in neutral. Figure 9: Release This Clip Before
Pulling the Park Release Lever  

The lever is held upright by another clip.

This clip must be released before the lever
is pushed back down to engage park (Fig.
10).

Figure 8: Slide the Lock to Release the

Park Release Lever 

After sliding the lock to the side again,

the lever will snap back into place,
putting the transmission back in park.
The procedure is a bit different on the
Charger and the 300. After removing the
trim piece, you’ll find the release lever;
don’t pull it just yet. You have to release
this clip before pulling the strap. (Fig. 9).
If the clip is not released it will break,
causing the lever to rattle.
Figure 10: Release This Clip Before
Releasing Lever 
Only ZF 8- and 9-speed ATF can be used
in the 8-speed transmission. A note about
fluid leak diagnosis: No transmission
fluid additives, including leak detection
dye, can be used in the 8HP family
transmissions. With that in mind, the
transmission fluid used in the 8-speed
family glows under UV light already.
Keep this in mind when looking for other
types of fluid leaks as you could get a false
positive if transmission fluid is in the
area. 

 
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Speaking of fluid, the fluid check and fill
procedures were covered in depth in our
June 2011 release for the 8HP45. It is the
same procedure for the 845RE and 8HP70
with the exception of fluid volumes.
When disassembling the transmission, it’s
important to note that the gear train
needs to be removed vertically. The
drums are aluminum and are easily
damaged (Fig. 12).

The procedure for checking and filling the

fluid on an AWD Chrysler 300 or Dodge
Charger is a bit different. First, you’ll
need to remove the front propeller shaft to
gain access to the plug. Next, use
wiTECH to put the vehicle into Emissions
Rolls Test Mode while engaging the
necessary gears (Fig. 11).

Figure 12: The Gear Train Must Be

Removed Vertically

To avoid damaging the aluminum D

clutch drum and the P4 annulus drum,
use special tool number 10378 (Fig. 13).

Figure 11: Use the Emissions Rolls Test

While Checking Transmission Oil 

Then you can pull the plug to check the

level or top it off as needed. When you are
done, install the front propeller shaft and
be sure to manually disable the test mode
to avoid setting trouble codes.
If the transmission needs to be removed
from the vehicle for service, be aware that
the transmission oil pan is made of a
composite material, not stamped steel.
Be sure the weight of the transmission is
evenly supported on the lifting fixture or
damage to the transmission will occur.
Before opening the transmission, it is
important to note that a clean work area
is critical due to the very tight tolerances
in these transmissions.
Figure 13: Special Tool Number 10378
Please note that the P1 carrier and P2
annulus snap rings are one-time use snap
rings. During installation, use a flat-
blade screwdriver to coax the snap rings
into the groove in the drum.
Next, we will go over how to set up the B
clutch. This segment is meant to give you
an overview of the procedure, refer to
service information for the complete
procedure. 

 
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The first measurement we need is the depth of the bore in the housing where the B clutch
sits (Fig. 14). This dimension represents the total area filled by the B piston and clutch
pack.

Figure 14: The Bore Where the B Piston and Clutch Sit

The second measurement is the height of the clutch pack after it has been compressed. The
pressure against strain gauge special tool number 10429 must match the specification given
in the service information (Fig. 15). We are using portions of special tool number 8901A
that was designed for the NAG1 transmission.

Figure 15: Clutch Pack Height Is Measured After Being Compressed

 
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The final measurement we need is the height from the B clutch piston to the oil pump
housing mating surface (Fig. 16).

Figure 16: B Clutch Piston to Oil Pump Housing Mating Surface Measurement

Subtract the B piston measurement and the clutch height measurement from the bore
depth and you have your end clearance measurement. We are looking for a clutch pack end
clearance between 1.26 mm and 1.67 mm. To adjust the clutch pack clearance within
specifications, the flange plate is available in different thicknesses. Select the appropriate
size. After replacing the flange plate, take the measurements again.

Besides the snap rings mentioned earlier, the oil pump bolts, the pump housing bolts, as
well as the valve body bolts are one-time use. Refer to service information for more detail.
A note about gear train end play: Because the oil pump housing bolts are one-time use
bolts, it is a good idea to use the old bolts while adjusting the end play. After the correct
end play has been established, use new bolts for the final installation of the oil pump
housing.
   
 
   

 
November 2012  Page 9 
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FUEL EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS
There are two unique features introduced with the 2013 Ram truck that we’ll get into now.
Introduced with the 2013 Ram trucks is a thermal management unit (TMU) (Fig. 17).

Figure 17: Thermal Management Unit

The 8HP transmission family is such an efficient transmission there is a need for an
auxiliary heater to keep the transmission oil at the proper temperature, about 80°C
(176°F).
Engine coolant is carried back to a heat exchanger via coolant pipes. In this illustration,
the hoses and pipes have been color-coded to show the hot and cold portions of the system
(Fig. 18). The coolant pipes and heat exchanger are serviceable separately.

Figure 18: Coolant Pipes Are Part of the TMU System

 
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The second unique feature we’ll cover is
the hydraulic impulse storage (HIS) unit
(Fig. 19). The HIS is a spring-loaded
accumulator with a latching solenoid that
is part of the Stop/Start feature.
Figure 19: HIS Unit
 
and Tech News
When the engine is running, transmission
oil is pumped into the HIS accumulator
and is stored. A locking solenoid keeps
the piston under tension until the piston
is released. Spring pressure takes over
and the piston pushes the fluid out of the
HIS and into the transmission.
As soon as the engine is restarted, the
HIS is filled with fluid and ready for the
next cycle.
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RAM STOP/START
New for the 2013 Ram 1500 is a
Stop/Start feature that turns off the
engine when the vehicle comes to rest,
restarting it automatically when needed.
You’ll find a graphic in the reference book
that shows the different components in
the Stop/Start system. We’ll cover some
of them now.
The powertrain control module (PCM)
calibration dictates when the engine will
shut down and restart. This decision is
based on brake pedal position, vehicle
speed, and time stopped, among others.
All Stop/Start equipped vehicles have an
absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery and
heavy-gauge cables, that are able to
deliver higher amp loads consistently.
Naturally, the alternator needs to be
heavy-duty as well. This one is a 220-amp
alternator that provides greater charging
capacity immediately after auto-starts.
Inside the transmission, we have the HIS
(Fig. 21). The HIS enables the
transmission to build full line pressure,
allowing a nearly instantaneous response
to the driver's input.

The DC-to-DC converter takes battery

voltage and steps it up to a higher voltage
to keep electrical features like the fan,
wipers, headlights, and audio system
going until the engine restarts (Fig. 20).
Figure 21: HIS Cutaway View

This completes our program on the 8-

speed transmissions. The November
Master Tech bonus program follows.

 
 
   
Figure 20: DC-to-DC Converter

Naturally, a system like this places a

considerable load on the starting and
charging systems.

The starter motor is a heavy-duty,

brushless design, better able to cope with
the demand placed on it.

 
November 2012  Page 12 
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Stop/Start Components

 
November 2012  Page 13 
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REPAIR ORDER PATH 
How many times have you been given a
repair order to resolve a customer’s
concern only to be unable to duplicate the
problem? This month we have a bonus
program: Service Best Practices.
The first thing we’ll do is follow a repair
order through the service department
from the first contact with the customer,
through the technician, and on to the
point that the customer picks up the
vehicle. As part of this Service Best
Practices program, we’ll cover the new
Service Advisor Dashboard system. This
new repair order initiation system will
streamline the write-up and repair
processes.
After exploring the Service Advisor
Dashboard system, we’ll cover the two
most basic and important aspects of the
repair process; the Six-step
Troubleshooting Procedure and the three
Cs.
The last topic in this bonus program
covers the Vehicle Not Repaired Check
Sheet. This check sheet helps to guide
you through the inspection process so you
can document everything and make sure
all angles are covered.
As part of our November Service Best
Practices program, let’s review the life of
a repair order. This helps us to better
understand the processes that will be
discussed shortly.
 
and Tech News
It all begins with the customer expressing
a concern to a service advisor who records
it for the technician. Naturally, the more
detail that is recorded the better.
Currently, there are a few different ways
this write-up process is handled, but a
new consistent process is in development.
The next lesson will cover that new
system.
After the write-up process, the repair
order is dispatched to the technician.
This can be handled in a few different
ways as well, depending on the
dealership. Looking over a repair order
when it is first assigned is the best way to
review the customer concern and ask
questions about the concerns listed. In
fact, the customer may still be there to
answer first hand.
At this point in the process, the first C
(the Concern) is in place. We’ll go into
more details related to the three C’s
shortly. Now it’s time to fix a car. During
the diagnostic and repair phase, it’s
recommended to follow the Six-step
Troubleshooting Procedure and document
this on the repair order.
After the concern is corrected, the
completed repair order is returned to the
dispatcher or manager. From here, the
repair order goes through various
processes that may include Warranty
Reimbursement. We will finish our
program with some helpful hints when
submitting warranty claims for Trouble
Not Found concerns.
November 2012  Page 14 
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WIADVISOR
In an effort to simplify the service write-up process and improve our customer satisfaction,
Chrysler Group has developed a new tool for service advisors called wiADVISOR (Fig. 22).
The wiADVISOR program will extend the wiTECH network that is currently installed in
your shop into the service drive. What’s the advantage of this new system?

Figure 22: wiADVISOR Welcome Screen

Currently, on average there are 15 wiADVISOR will soon be adding a feature

different steps performed from the time to assist the service advisor in accurately
the customer schedules an appointment to capturing the customer's concern by
when they sign the repair order. This asking questions based on the type of
doesn’t include things like following up issue. The answers to these questions
with the customer, checking parts-ordered will be included on the repair order to
status, talking to the technician, and so assist in diagnosis. The system also
on. allows for the service advisor to add
comments to the repair order.
The need for a more efficient, consistent,
and accurate write-up system is being
answered. wiADVISOR answers these
concerns by improving every step of the
write-up process. Keep in mind that the
screens you will be shown are prototype
screens, they may differ from what you'll
see in the future. Let’s look at how this
system works and how it affects
technicians.

 
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The wiADVISOR system includes a

wiTECH microPod that plugs into the
OBDII port (Fig. 23).

Figure 25: microPod Plugs into the

Figure 23: microPod
An access point extends the dealership’s
dedicated service network into the service
drive, enabling the microPod to
communicate (Fig. 24).
OBDII Port
If the customer has taken advantage of
the online service scheduling capabilities,
much of this information will be
populated before the customer drives
through the door.

The next step is to document the

customer’s concerns. The service advisor
will interview the customer as before, but
the wiADVISOR program utilizes a series
of drop-down menus to walk the advisor
through the process (Fig. 26).

Figure 24: Wireless Access Point

For up-to-date information on

recommended tablets, please access the
wiADVISOR Knowledge Base by logging
into the wiTECH Portal at:
http://portal.dcctools.com. Figure 26: Customer Concern Window

In practice, the customer is greeted by the

service advisor, who plugs the microPod
into the OBDII port (Fig. 25).
wiADVISOR pulls vehicle information
(such as VIN and odometer readings) from
the various computer systems in the
vehicle, key information from the VIP
report and other Chrysler Group
databases (such as customer information),
and information from the dealer
management system.

 
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Besides the consistent write-up process,

there are other advantages that the
service advisor, as well as the technician
will notice. Some of these are:

 The ability for the customer to

schedule appointments
electronically

 A VIN- and odometer-specific

maintenance menu to show
customers exactly what their
vehicle maintenance requirements
are at that visit.

 A function called Vehicle Systems

Vitals identifies any outstanding
recalls, Rapid Response
Transmittals, and available flash
updates

 Up-to-date service history at the

tap of a screen

 An optional subscription to
features like the Electronic Vehicle
Inspection Module, which provides
technicians with the ability to
perform inspections electronically

 A running estimate of repair costs

The wiADVISOR roll-out process has

already begun. If your dealership isn’t
using it yet, you’ll see it soon.

 
November 2012  Page 17 
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THREE Cs AND SIX STEPS
From the technician’s perspective, there
are few things that affect your day more
than the three Cs and the Six-step
Troubleshooting Procedure. The six steps
ensure a proper and complete repair while
the three Cs make sure everything is
documented. We’re going to lump these
together because they are completed at
the same time.
The first C (the Concern) is documented
by the service advisor (Fig. 27). This
information is the most important piece of
information you will use when repairing
the vehicle.
Figure 27: Concern Is Documented
During Write-up
Your job starts with the first of the six
steps, verify the concern. Always review
all of the information on the repair order
so you are reproducing this concern under
the same conditions that the customer
reported.
Step two is to determine any related
symptoms. Maybe the clunking noise
they are concerned about is related to the
uneven tire wear they didn’t notice.
 
and Tech News
The third step is to analyze the
symptoms. Are the symptoms related, or
did you discover something the customer
should be made aware of? The fourth step
is to isolate the cause.
Use published service information to
determine the cause of the concern. This
is where the second of the three Cs comes
in (the Cause). Write detailed notes of the
cause of the concern on the repair order.
This will aid not only your warranty
administrator when the claim is being
prepared but also will provide important
details to Chrysler to help in improving
the quality of our products.
The fifth step is to repair the concern.
Now it’s time for the third C (the
Correction). You don’t have to write a
novel here, but you do have to make sure
you document clearly what was done to
correct the concern for the customer.
The final step in the Six-step
Troubleshooting Procedure is to verify
vehicle operation. This is where you circle
back to the first step and try to reproduce
the concern under the same conditions the
customer described.
November 2012  Page 18 
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VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED CHECK SHEET
Sometimes technicians will simply not be
able to address a customer’s concern, no
matter how hard they may try. Many
times, the technician will simply write
TNF or something similar on the repair
order and move on to the next job as
quickly as possible.
This usually ends up with a frustrated
customer and technician, and we all know
these vehicles come back at some point in
the near future anyway. In the event that
you were not able to duplicate a concern
for any reason, it’s a good idea to fill out
the Vehicle Not Repaired Check Sheet.
Let’s look at the high points now.
To access the check sheet, from the
Service tab in TechCONNECT scroll down
to the Repair Information section. From
there, open the Other menu and open the
Vehicle Not Repaired Check Sheet (Fig.
28).
Figure 28: Vehicle Not Repaired Check
Sheet Location
The top portion is pretty self-explanatory,
but be sure to copy, word-for-word, the
customer’s concern onto the check sheet.
The next section of the sheet has three
reasons why the vehicle was not repaired;
we’ll go over each of the three now. In
some cases there really isn’t a problem
with the vehicle, just a lack of
understanding on the owner’s part.
 
and Tech News
The first portion in this section is for
documenting situations like this. There
are situations when the concern cannot be
duplicated. That’s what the second
portion is for. It allows you to document
that you checked the system(s) in
question, checked for trouble codes,
Service Bulletins, Recalls, or rapid
response transmittals. You’ll also find a
place to document a call to the STAR
center, or to document if other dealership
personnel road tested the vehicle.
The third portion in this section is for
situations where the part is not available
to repair the car. Fill out the appropriate
field to document the issue.
The final section of the check sheet is to
document the final outcome. Record the
mileage in and mileage out whether or not
the customer has been advised of the
situation, and the conclusion of the repair
order. Attach this check sheet to the
repair order.
It only takes a few minutes to complete
this check sheet but it can really pay off in
the end because everything is
documented.
Chrysler allows dealers to submit
warranty claims for Trouble Not Found
(TNF) diagnosis. All time allowance
reimbursed is for Actual Time only. It is
imperative to properly document any
claim that requests reimbursement. The
check sheet will allow the Warranty
Administrator the ability to ensure that
the claim is properly documented so that
if authorization is required, individuals
reviewing the claim can logically make
the decision regarding reimbursement.
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The check sheet will allow the Warranty

Administrator the ability to ensure that
the claim is properly documented so that
if authorization is required, individuals
reviewing the claim can logically make
the decision regarding reimbursement.

In the near future, we will be providing

additional details regarding Warranty
Claim requirements. Additional
information can be located in the
Warranty Administration Manual
available on DealerCONNECT.

That completes the November Master

Tech bonus program. Be sure to see this
month’s web program for additional
information about this month’s topics.
Also, visit the Chrysler Academy
Learning Center site for training courses
that cover subjects related to these topics.

Please join us next month when the topic

is 2013.5 Diesel Powertrain Update.

Thank you for participating in the Master

Tech program.

 
November 2012  Page 20 
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TECH’S CORNER 
In our Master Tech program for October,
Mopar Accessories and Performance
Parts, we reviewed some of the new
accessories available on Chrysler products
such as the rear center tail light assembly
with the race track graphic available on
the 2013 Dodge Dart, the Mopar signal
mirror kit, and the new digital brake
trailer controller available on the Dodge
Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In reviewing your surveys for the October,
it appears that the program was well
received with one technician telling us
that it contained “very interesting info on
new products and installation.” Another
tech felt that addressing accessories and
modifications to Chrysler vehicles shows
the customer’s desire to customize and
upgrade a vehicle’s capacity. We agree,
and due to the popularity of these
accessories, in addition to offering a
Master Tech program on Mopar in
October 2011, we decided to produce
another one this October.
 
and Tech News
As you know, we also included a segment
in the October program on the new Mopar
JK-8 conversion kit for the Jeep Wrangler
Unlimited. Some of you said that you
enjoyed learning about the JK-8
conversion and tips related to the process.
Others felt that JK-8 pertains more to
body shop techs than to service
technicians. Another tech’s response
indicated that there was too much on
installation of accessories, but went on to
say that the JK-8 installation info was
just right. So, as you can see, we do
review your surveys. In fact, we also use
them to come up with future Tech News
topics, which allow us to answer your
specific concerns. So, please continue to
send in your ideas and suggestions.
November 2012  Page 21 
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  and Tech News

Can you guess the cars below? You can put your answers in your surveys.

1)

2)

 
November 2012  Page 22