Body Valve Components and Their Functions in Cars, Let's Find Out!
Speaking of automatic cars, there is one important component that you need to know, which is the valve body. This component may still be unfamiliar to most people. To help you better understand what the valve body component is and its functions in depth, you need to pay attention to the following review.
Overview of the Valve Body Component
As previously explained, the valve body is one of the components found in the automatic car transmission. The valve body itself is directly connected to the car's ECU (Electronic Control Unit) as a regulator of the oil capacity that will flow in the transmission section.
Functions of the Valve Body Component
The valve body component has several important functions in an automatic car. Here are the complete functions.
1. As the control center or brain of the car with automatic transmission
The valve body component can be said to be the control center or brain of the automatic car. This component functions as a guide for hydraulic fluid that will later be directed to the transmission valves. This can activate the servo band or clutch so that it can be used to shift gears.
In addition, the car's valve body can also activate the automatic transmission when the car is started. When the transmission is activated, the oil pump in the car's transmission will create hydraulic pressure.
This pressure will then enter the valve body regulator and be directly connected to the ECU. Subsequently, the hydraulic pressure will be distributed to the lubrication system, torque converter, and oil cooler. This condition can facilitate the process of shifting the automatic car's transmission lever while driving.
Read Also: 4 Signs of a Damaged Automatic Car Solenoid & Solutions
2. Preventing delays when shifting the car's transmission lever
The next function, the valve body component can prevent delays when you shift the automatic car's transmission lever. For example, when you want to shift the transmission lever from position (D) to position R. Then the lever shift feels smooth and not heavy.
3. Preventing jolts when shifting the transmission lever
The valve body component can also prevent jolts when shifting the transmission lever. As previously explained, the hydraulic pressure or oil that enters the main gearbox component can provide lubrication power to the gear ratios and clutch pads. This lubrication power can make the shifting of the car's transmission lever smooth, thus avoiding jolts.
Signs of a Problematic or Damaged Valve Body Component
After you understand the function of the valve body component in the car, you need to know what signs to look for if this component is problematic or damaged. Here are the complete signs.
- There is a delay when shifting the transmission lever or car gears.
- Jolts occur when shifting the transmission lever or car gears.
- Strange or noisy sounds occur when the car is moving. The emergence of these strange sounds is usually caused by a buildup of dirt in the valve body component.
Read Also: 6 Ways to Repair a Broken Automatic Car Transmission
How to Address a Problematic Valve Body Component
Here are some ways you can take to address issues that occur with the valve body component.
1. Cleaning the valve body component
The first way, you can clean the valve body component by taking it to the nearest professional workshop. There, professional mechanics will clean the component until the dirt that has settled for too long is removed, making it clean as before.
2. Replacing the transmission oil
The next way, you can replace the dirty transmission oil with new oil to maximize the car's performance. Make sure to always replace the transmission oil when the car's mileage exceeds 15,000 km.
That is the information regarding the valve body component and its functions. Hopefully, it can be beneficial!