A518 Valve Body

The A518 is on of Chrysler s most popular automatic transmissions. It was introduced around 1990 and produced up to vehicle year model 2003. There are two different versions of the A518; the hydraulically controlled unit referred to as the 46RH and the electronically controlled one referred to as the 46RE. The electronically controlled units have more solenoids in the valve body that the other one.

When conducting a transmission rebuild the valve body should be inspected to make sure all is working well. If the valve body is damaged it should be replaced during the rebuild. This will avoid the extra cost and time of having to replace it later.

If you are simply looking to increase power, harden shifts, correct known issues or totally reprogram the valve body consider one of the many valve body recalibration kits or shift kits available for this unit. Depending on the kit this could be accomplished in a day.

If you do come across a defective, damaged or weak valve body then you need to take the plunge and replace it. Here are some of the different variants:

- None Lock-Up 1990-Up
- Lock-Up 1999-Up
- with Square Connector 1997-1999
- with Rectangular Connector 2000-Up

Stage Is Set For A604 Electrical Components

The 41TE is the electrical version of the A604 used in several Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, most notably the mini vans. In this post we will explore the different electrical components and the differences, if any, in year breaks.

The External Neutral Safety Switches are from 1989 and 1990 to 1995 as are the first set of Range Sensors (PRNDL). The second set of Ranger Sensors with blade terminals are from years 1998 and Up.

MLPS Range and Neutral Safety Sensor:
with round terminals 1996-Early 1998
with spade terminals Late 1998-Up

Neutral Safety Sensor (Manual Lever Position) Replaces 7 & 9 Prongs 1993-1997

Pressure Transducer Sensor for the 41TES 2007-Up

Solenoid Block (pictured below) 1989-Up
Solenoid Block Repair Kit (must be original solenoid pack) 89-99 and 00-Up

EPC Solenoid for 41TES 2007-Up
EPC Solenoid Connector for 41TES 2007-Up

Output Sensor VSS 89-Up
Input Sensor TSS 89-Up

Wire Harness Repair Kit 89-Up
Wire Harness Repair Kit for Input and Output Speed Sensor 89-Up
Wire Harness Repair Kit for MLPS / Range Sensor Early 1999 and Up

Not Going Far Due to a Bad Valve Body? (41TE)

The A604 family of transmission is used in a wide variety of vehicles and for many years proving to be one of Chryslers' most successful 4 speed automatic front wheel drive transmission. Some of the vehicles equipped with this unit are: Acclaim, the Caravan mini vans, Dynasty, the Voyager mini vans and a few others.

The A606 was used in vehicles like the Intrepid and New Yorker. The 42RLE is the rear wheel drive version of the A606 and can be found in the Durango and Dakota Pickup.

Here is a list of the different valve bodies available for these units:

A604 (40TE, 41TE, 41AE)
- 1989-1995
- 1996-1998 with Round Pin Terminal
- 1998-2006 with Spade Pin Terminal

A606 (42LE)
1993-1997 with Round Pin Terminal
1998-Up with Spade Pin Terminal

42RLE
2003-Up

Electrifying... A518 Electrical Components

In this post we will discuss the electrical part of the the A518, also known as the 46RH and 46RE.

Neutral Safety Switch
- with three prongs 1990-1997
- with Back-Up Light with a 3 prong screw in Design 1998-2003
- with Back-Up Light with a 5 prong push in Design 2001-2003
- MLPS adapter 1990-Up
- Harness repair kit
- Connector for 3 wire N.S.S.

Governor Pressure Sensor (Transducer)
- with 4 Pins and round connector 1996-2000
- with 4 Pins and rectangular connector 2000-Up

Solenoids
- Overdrive, Single no TCC 1990-1995
- Kit, includes OD/TCC Solenoid and Gov. Pres. Sensor 1996-1999 (some 2000)
- Overdrive / TCC for a 3 pin case connector (Dual) 1990-1995
- Overdrive / TCC for a 8 pin round and 4 pin oval connector 1996-1999
- Overdrive / TCC for a 8 pin round and 4 pin rectangular connector 2000-Up
- TCC / Lock Up with one wire 1990-1996
- TCC / Lock Up with 2 wires 1997-Up
- Governor Pressure Solenoid 1993-Up
- Repair Kit for Gov Pres Sol with Sonnax Tool
- Harness repair kit for Solenoids

Sensor
- Output Speed (VSS)

These parts are very important to any electronically controlled transmission and should be inspected carefully when conducting a rebuild or when dropping the valve body. Pay particular attention the Governor Pressure Solenoid and Sensor. When replacing one you should always replace the other especially in this unit.

Dodge and Chrysler's A604 Planets and Clutch Hubs

Lets dive right into it. The planets and clutch hubs are the same for the A604 (40TE, 41TE, 41AE), A606 (42LE), and the rear wheel drive 42RLE unless otherwise noted.

The planets break down like this:

Front Planet 1989-1995
Front Planet 1996-Up

Rear Planet
- A604 1989-Early 1991
- Late 1991-1995
- 5 Pinion 1996-Up
- A606 4 Pinion with Output Shaft 1993-1995
- A606 5 Pinion with Output Shaft 1996-Up
- 42RLE 2003-Up

Planet Kits or Sets
- Front Planet, Overdrive - Reverse Clutch Hub, 2-4 Clutch Hub with Sun Gear 1989-Up
- Front with Ring Gear 1989-1995
- Front with Heat Treated Splines (All) 1996-Up
- Front and Rear (A604) 1989-Early 1991
- Front and Rear with 4 Pinion Late 1991-Up
- Front and Rear with 5 Pinion Late 1991-Up
- Front and Rear (A606) 1996-Up
- Rear with Overdrive Ratio 59 Tooth / 54 Tooth
- Rear with Underdrive Ratio 17 Tooth / 49 Tooth
- Rear Planet Ring Gear (All) 1989-Up
- Bearing, below the pinion gears for when the front planet is disassembled.

Drums
- Kit, Input Clutch Retainer without Bevel 1990-Up

Clutch Hub
- Overdrive and Reverse with Hollow Shaft 1989-1994 & 1995-Up
- Kit with Overdrive Updates (Retrofits all years from 1989-Up)
- Underdrive with Solid Shaft (All) 1989-Up
- Input Clutch; Cast Iron for 3 Ring Stator 1989
- Input Clutch; Cast Iron for 4 Ring Stator 1990-Up

- Clutch Hub & Sun Gear, 2nd-4th Clutch 1989-1995 & 1996-Up
- Piston Kit, Low / Reverse (Piston, Tin Housing, Spring and Snap Ring) All 1990-Up
- Piston Kit, 2nd-4th Clutch (Piston and Retainer) All 1989-Up

Recalibration Kit, Brake Band and Washer Kit

The Thrust Washer Kit for the A518, 46RE / RH is good for the years from 1990 and up and is only good for the units listed. Here is a partial list of washers that are available individually.

- Overdrive to Piston Hub
- 3 Tab Output Shaft
- Planet (3, 4 or 5 Gear)
- Under Snap Ring to Rear Band Drum
- Shell to Rear Planet


The End Play Shim Kit is compatible for several transmissions from 1990 and up as illustrated in the picture below and comes with three 0.015" and three 0.025" shims.

This unit uses two brake bands; the kickdown or front and the reverse. The kickdown comes in flex, kevlar, high perfromance (HP) and rigid. The reverse band is either solid with a 6" drum from 1990 to early 1991 and solid with a 6 1/4" drum from late 1991 and up.

45RFE, 5-45RFE, 68RFE Filter Differences

The 45RFE (4 Speed), 5-45RFE (5 Speed) and the 68RFE (6 Speed) is an automatic unit produced by Chrysler. There are two filters that each unit uses. One is used inside the unit and one out side the unit. The outside unit is a spin-on type filter as pictured below. The internal filter is a 2 wheel drive (4x2) or 4 wheel dirive (4x4). The 4WD filter has a longer tube and is set further from the edge of the filter compared to the 2WD filter.

Filter Kits and both solenoid screen used with black and white solenoid connector are available.

A500 Wire Harness (42RE & 44RE)

This External Harness Repair Kit covers the years 1994-2004 for the 42RE and 44RE. You will need to attach the wire harness plug end to your existing wire harness with the provided connectors (not pictured).

There is also the Harness Repair Kit for the Neutral Safety Switch for years 1988 to 2004.

A413, A470, A670 Pump

Here we will go into detail about the different pumps available for the A404 (30TH), A413, A470 and A670 (31TH)

There are several options depending on year and certain specifications. Please keep in mind the following when ordering to ensure you receive the proper parts.

- 1 Ring on Input Shaft / 1978-1985
- 2 & 3 Ring Input Shaft / 1986-1998 (Pictured Below)
- Non Crescent 12 Lobe Drive Gear / 1999-Up

Here are the different options if you need to order just the pump gears:

- .591" with 2 lugs on inner gear / 1978-1985
- .589" with mill flats on inner gear / 1986-Up
- .591" with mill flats on inner gear / 1986-Up

A500 Overdrive Sungear, Drum & Bearing

The A500, 40RH, 42RH, 42RE and 44RE have a few different posibilties when it comes to the Overdrive Sungear and couple for the Clutch Drum.

Here is a quick guide to these parts for when ordering.

Overdrive Sun Gear:
- Straight Teeth; 1988-2004
- 22 Degree Angled Teeth: 1988-1993
- 15 Degree Angled Teeth: 1994-2004 (Pictured Below)

Overdrive Clutch Hub:
- 3" Tall (Pictured Below)
- 2 3/4" Tall

The Overdrive Planet to Hub Bearing and Thrust Plate works for all the models from 1988 to 2004. This part is the updated version.

30TH, 31TH Valve Body

30TH (A404), 31TH (A413, A471, A670) valve bodies come in three different designs. The first one is from 1981 to 1986 non-lock up. The second one is 1987-up lock-up without thermal bypass and the last one from 1999-up lock-up with thermal bypass.

There could be any number of reasons for a valve body to go bad with as many number of symptoms. Two symptoms that I hear of with some frequency is two gears engaging at the same time and transmission taking off on second instead of first. These two symptoms might be a good indicator that a valve body is needed.

From 1987 and up the valve body uses a Lock-Up Solenoid (TCC).

A404, A413, A470, A670 Governor

The A404 (30TH), A413, A470 and the A670 (all three a/k/a 31TH) share the same governor. The only thing to note when ordering the governor is the year. One is from 1978 to 1980 and the other one is from 1981 and up (pictured below).

At time of this posting the 78-80 was available reman or new and the other one only reman. Also available are the:

Anti-Stick Spring and Bracket (installs outside the governor)
Anti-Stick Spring (installs inside the governor)
Governor Support and Support Retainer
Oil Baffel - inside Differential or Extension Housing

A500 (40RH, 42RE....) Reverse Drum and Center Support

The A-500, 40RH, 42RH, 42RE and 44RE are all in the same transmission family line. The RH indicates non-electric and the RE indicates the unit is controlled electronically instead of hydraulically.

The reverse drum comes in two different design; one comes with no washer under the support snap ring (88-04) and the other with a washer under the support snap ring (90-04). At first glance you can not even tell the difference and it is necessary to properly identify the one you need when ordering.

Over drive piston housing (center support) originally came with or without governor feed holes. The new ones retrofits all past ones and are compatible with or without the governor feed holes.