HEAVY METAL!

by Rolly Alvarez
members.atra.com

L
et’s talk about the AS69RC, GEAR RATIO COMPARISON CHART - 545RFE, 65RFE, AS68RC, 69RC, 66RC
which is in the family of the Gear 545-65RFE AS68RC AS69-66RC 66-68RFE
AS68RC. There are many
1 3.00 3.74 3.75 3.23
existing differences among the
2 1.67 1.96 2.00 1.84
two transmissions. The AS68RC
has a totally different valve body 3 1.50 1.34 1.34 1.41
than the AS69RC and the ratios 4 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
differ as well. The AS69RC is just 5 0.075 0.077 0.077 0.0816
as heavy as the AS68RC but much 6 0.067 0.063 0.063 0.0625
easier to work on, take apart and Reverse 3.00 - 2.21 3.54 3.54 4.445
assemble.
Figure 1
Figure 1 compares the gear
ratios with the 545RFE, 65RFE,
the AS68RC, 69RC, 66RC as well.
In 2007, Chrysler Corp
decided to start using the AS68RC
on their diesel-powered trucks
with the 6.7 turbo diesel engines
and it was rated at 750lb of torque
capacity. Some transmissions had
PTO capabilities, and some did
not. Depending on the application,
the torque converter locked up
whenever the PTO was in use. In
2013, the Ram Corp switched to
the AS69RC, which is known to
be a stronger and more durable
transmission for heavy-duty
applications.
The unit consists of three
planetary gear sets and one
overrunning clutch, as well as 1 - Converter Housing 8 - B1 Brake 5 - Oil Pan
1
complete electronic functionality 2 - Transmission Case 9 - B2 Brake 16 - Valve Pan
of the transmission (figure 2). 3 - K2 Clutch 10 - P3 Planetary Gear 17 - Oil Pump
4 - k1 Clutch 11 - Output Shaft 18 - Torque Converter
The cavities for component
5 - P1 Planetary Gear 12 - Park Lock Gear 19 - Input Shaft
air checks on the bench are shown 6 - K3 Clutch 13 - Extension Housing
in figure 3. 7 - P2 Planetary Gear 14 - Sun Gear Shaft
These solenoids, like the
Ford 6R140 or Torqshift 6 as Figure 2

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 Intro to the AS69RC

Ford calls it, are flow rated and

are computer modulated to
control the shift timing and clutch
application (figure 4). I would like
to emphasize you SHOULD NOT
interchange solenoid locations,
this action will result in harsh
upshifts or harsh downshifts.
The green painted bolts are
the ones that you need to remove
only for a valve body removal.
If you are going to remove the
solenoids, after you remove the
long hold down bracket, be very
aware of the pins that hold the
solenoids in place (Figure 5). They
keep the solenoids from rotating,
they will fall out on their own.
If they fall out and you can’t find
them, this is going to delay your
Figure 3 build.

Pressure Switch #1

SLT S1 SL2 SL1 SL3 SL4 SL5

SLU

Figure 4

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 Figure 5

The correct color routing of the wires

is as follows;
• Brown/Red Wire
to Linear Solenoid 5.
• Light Green/Yellow Wire
to the Linear Solenoid 4.
• Sky Blue/Green Wire
to the Linear Solenoid 3.
• Yellow/White Wire
to the Linear Solenoid 1.
• Connect the Brown/Red Wire
to the Linear Solenoid 2.
• Black/Blue Wire
to the On/Off solenoid.
• Connect the Blue/Gray Wire
to the Linear Solenoid SLU.
• Connect the Purple/Black Wire
to the Linear Solenoid SLT.
We highly recommend keeping
this information archived for future
reference.
As you can see in figure 6, all
solenoids are not the same. The
small pulse width modulated yellow
connector solenoids measures 4-6
ohms. The larger black connectors
pulse width modulated solenoids will
measure 4-6 ohms as well, while
the green connector solenoid is an
ON-OFF type solenoid, will measure
at 11-21 ohms. Figure 6

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 Intro to the AS69RC

The transmission TOT sensor

Typical Values for Transmission Temperature Sensor
chart is illustrated on figure 7.
The solenoids have different
Temperature Approximate OHM
numbers engraved on them; this is
for identification purposes. These -30°C (-22° F) 44000 Ohms ± 6600
are the part numbers to each one
of the solenoids. 10°C (50° F) 6455 Ohms ± 645
Swapping the large solenoids
in the valve body, or the SLT with 110°C (230° F) 247 Ohms ± 16
the SLU solenoid, could result in
bind ups, flairs or possible harsh 145°C (293° F) 111 Ohms ± 6
downshifts. This unit, like the Figure 7
AS68RC, also suffers from internal
wiring issues. The wires will get
brittle with the heat and fry or the
wires may come loose from the
terminal end. We have seen cases
where they have even broken apart.
When viewed from below the
vehicle, all solenoid connectors
will always face down to the oil
pan. When viewed from above,
like when the valve body is on the
bench, all solenoid connectors will
always face up.
Figure 8 illustrates the small
parts in the valve body which,
in comparison to its predecessor
and other units, is a pretty simple
layout.
Ok, in this article we’ve given
you an overview of the AS69RC
as well as some specifications
and problems you might run into.
This article will help you get these
units fixed quickly as you start to
see them rolling into your shop.
Until next time!

1 - Drain Ball 5 - Strainer

2 - Drain Ball with Spring 6 - Torque Converter
3 - Check Valve Check Valve
4 - Torque Converter 7 - Cooler Bypass Valve
Relief Valve

Figure 8

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