1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata

TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T

1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

IDENTIFICATION

NOTE: On models with anti-theft radio system, obtain code number from customer to
deactivate radio anti-theft system BEFORE disconnecting negative battery
cable. To deactivate radio anti-theft system, turn ignition switch to ACC
position. Press FF and REW buttons simultaneously until "cod e" is displayed.
Press FF and REW buttons again until 4 bars are displayed. Use preset button
No. 1 to enter first number. Use preset buttons No. 2, 3 and 4 to set other
numbers. Press FF and REW buttons for about 2 seconds until a beep is heard.
After 5 seconds, flashing "cod e" will go away and radio will operate.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION APPLICATIONS

Model Transmission
Miata N4A-HL

LUBRICATION
SERVICE INTERVALS

Transmission Fluid

Check fluid level every 7500 miles or 6 months.

CHECKING FLUID LEVEL

Transmission

Park vehicle on level ground. Apply parking brake. Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Briefly
place selector lever in all gears and return it to "P" position. Clean dipstick and insert it in tube. Remove
dipstick. Level should be between "L" and "F" marks. Check fluid for discoloration and unusual smell. If
necessary, add fluid. DO NOT overfill.

RECOMMENDED FLUID

Transmission

Use Dexron-II or M-III ATF.

FLUID CAPACITIES

TRANSMISSION REFILL CAPACITIES

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TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

Application Refill Qts. (L) Dry Fill Qts. (L)

Miata 4.2 (4.0) 7.1 Qts. (6.7L)

DRAINING & REFILLING

Disconnect negative battery cable. Loosen oil pan bolts to drain fluid. Remove oil pan, and discard old gasket.
Clean oil pan, and install it using NEW gasket. Tighten oil pan bolts to specification. SeeTORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS . Connect negative battery cable. Add fluid, and check level. DO NOT overfill.

ADJUSTMENTS
BRAKE BAND (2ND GEAR)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Loosen oil pan, and drain fluid. Remove bracket, oil pan and gasket.
Disconnect vacuum hose at vacuum diaphragm (modulator), and remove vacuum diaphragm.
2. Disconnect solenoid valve connector, and remove harness from bracket (if equipped). Remove valve
body bolts and valve body assembly. Loosen lock nut on 2nd gear brake band while holding piston stem
stationary. See Fig. 1 .

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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

Fig. 1: Adjusting 2nd Gear Brake Band

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

3. Tighten piston stem to 106-130 INCH lbs. (12-15 N.m). Loosen piston stem 3 turns. Tighten lock nut to
11-29 ft. lbs. (15-39 N.m) while holding stem stationary. Install valve body assembly. Tighten bolts to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
4. Connect solenoid valve connector, and install harness. Clean oil pan, and install it using NEW pan gasket.
Tighten pan bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
5. Install vacuum diaphragm, and connect vacuum hose. Connect negative battery cable. Add fluid, and
check level. DO NOT overfill.

OVERDRIVE BRAKE BAND

1. Remove overdrive band servo cover and gasket. See Fig. 2 . Loosen overdrive adjustment screw lock nut

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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

while holding piston stem stationary. Tighten piston stem to 61-87 INCH lbs. (7-10 N.m).
2. Back off piston stem 2 turns. While holding stem in this position, tighten lock nut to 11-30 ft. lbs. (15-40
N.m). Install overdrive bandservo cover with NEW gasket. Tighten cover bolts to 44-62 INCH lbs. (5-7
N.m).

Fig. 2: Adjusting Overdrive Band

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

KICKDOWN & 4-3 SWITCH

1. Kickdown and 4-3 switch is located on upper part of accelerator pedal. To adjust kickdown section of
switch, use steps 2) and 3). To adjust 4-3 section of switch, use steps 4) and 5).
2. Connect voltmeter between terminal "C" and ground. See Fig. 3 . Turn ignition on. Depress accelerator
pedal fully. Voltmeter should read less than 1.5 volts until pedal is at least 7/8 depressed. Battery voltage
should be present at or after 7/8 pedal travel.

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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

Fig. 3: Testing Kickdown & 4-3 Switch

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

3. If voltage is not correct, disconnect switch and check continuity between terminals "C" and "D" when tip
of switch is depressed .24-.26" (6.0-6.5 mm). If continuity is not present, replace switch. If continuity is
present, adjust switch until battery voltage is present at 7/8 of pedal travel.
4. Connect voltmeter between terminal "A" and ground. See Fig. 3 . Turn ignition on. Depress accelerator
pedal to limit. Voltmeter should read less than 1.5 volts until pedal is at least 3/4 depressed. Battery
voltage should be present at or after 3/4 of pedal travel.
5. If voltage is not correct, disconnect switch and check continuity between terminals "A" and "B" when tip
of switch is depressed .14-.18" (3.5-4.5 mm). If continuity is not present, replace switch. If continuity is
present, adjust switch until battery voltage is present at 3/4 of pedal travel.

GEARSHIFT LINKAGE

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove upper panel, selector sleeve and indicator panel. Remove boot
plate. Place gearshift lever in "P" position. Loosen lock nut on side of gearshift lever. See Fig. 4 . Move

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TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

adjustment lever forward to set transmission in "P" position.

2. Adjust the lever so clearance between the guide plate and the guide pin with the lever in position "P" is as
specified. Refer to specifications in the GEARSHIFT LEVER ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS
table. See Fig. 5 . Tighten rear lock nut to 14-21 ft. lbs. (19-28 N.m).
3. Place gearshift lever in "N" and "D" positions to ensure clearances are correct. See GEARSHIFT
LEVER ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS table. See Fig. 5 . Adjust lever if necessary. Install boot
plate, center console, indicator panel, selector sleeve, selector knob and upper panel. Connect negative
battery cable.

GEARSHIFT LEVER ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

Application (1) In. (mm)
Gearshift In Position "P"
Clearance "A" .035-.039 (.89-.99)
Clearance "B" .020-.024 (.51-.61)
Gearshift In Position "N" Or "D"
Clearance "C" .024-.028 (.61-.71)
Clearance "D" .059-.063 (1.50-1.60)
(1) Clearance between guide plate and guide pin. See Fig. 5 .

Fig. 4: Identifying Gearshift Lever Components

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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

Fig. 5: Checking Gearshift Lever Adjustment Clearances

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

VACUUM DIAPHRAGM ROD

1. If vacuum diaphragm (modulator) is replaced, vacuum diaphragm rod length (depth) must be checked for
new rod length. Proper length rod should be installed after measurement.
2. Unscrew vacuum diaphragm from case. Remove diaphragm, diaphragm rod and rubber "O" ring.
Measure dimension "N" using Adjusting Gauge (49-G032-355). Use VACUUM DIAPHRAGM ROD
SELECTION table to select proper length rod. Also, see Fig. 6 .

VACUUM DIAPHRAGM ROD SELECTION

Dimension "N" - In. (mm) Rod Length - In. (mm)
1.0099 (25.650) Or Less 1.14 (29.0)
1.0099-1.0197 (25.650-25.900) 1.16 (29.5)
1.0197-1.0394 (25.900-26.400) 1.17 (29.7)
1.0394-1.0492 (26.400-26.650) 1.18 (30.0)
1.0492-1.0689 (26.650-27.150) 1.20 (30.5)
1.0689 (27.150) Or More 1.22 (31.0)

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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

Fig. 6: Checking Vacuum Diaphragm Rod Length

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH

1. Place gearshift lever in "N" position. Ensure gearshift linkage is adjusted correctly. See GEARSHIFT
LINKAGE under ADJUSTMENTS. Loosen neutral safety switch mounting bolts at transmission.
Remove screw from alignment pin hole at bottom of switch (if equipped).
2. Insert a 5/64" (2.0 mm) alignment pin (or drill bit) through alignment holes.
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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata
TRANSMISSION SERVICING - A/T 1990-94 TRANSMISSION SERVICING Mazda Automatic Transmission

3. On all models, tighten mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove
alignment pin. Install alignment pin hole screw (if equipped), and check switch operation. Vehicle should
start only with gearshift in "P" or "N" position.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Application INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Neutral Safety Switch Mounting Bolt 43-61 (5.0-7.0)
Oil Pan Bolt 52-69 (6.0-8.0)
Valve Body Bolt 43-61 (5.0-7.0)

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