Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. Manual - part 84

14. When the engine speed no longer increases, quickly read the line pressure and release the accelerator 

pedal.  

15. Shift the selector lever to the N position and idle the engine for 1 min or more to cool the ATF.  

16. Verify that the line pressure and LPS PID current values change according to the following graph by 

changing the shift throttle opening angle when shifting to the D range and R position with the engine 
running. 



The line pressure standard other than when the engine is idling cannot be determined because the 
maximum line pressure for this automatic transaxle is controlled by vehicle conditions. 

Fig. 4: Line Pressure Control Solenoid Current Diagram 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

17. Remove the SSTs.  

18. Install a test plug in the inspection port. 

Tightening torque  

5.9-8.8 N.m {61-89 kgf.cm, 53-77 in.lbf}  

Line pressure test evaluation  

LINE PRESSURE TEST EVALUATION POSSIBLE CAUSE 

WARNING:



Removing the SST when the ATF is hot can be dangerous. 
Hot ATF can come out of the opening and badly burn you. 
Before removing the SST, allow the ATF to cool.  

Condition

Possible cause

Lower than specification in D range and R position



Line pressure control solenoid 
malfunction  



Primary regulator valve malfunction  

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transaxle (AW6A-EL, AW6AX-EL) - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

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STALL TEST 

1. Perform mechanical system test preparation. (See MECHANICAL SYSTEM TEST PREPARATION.) 

2. Start the engine.  

3. Firmly depress the brake pedal with the left foot.  

4. Shift the selector lever to the D range. 

5. Gently depress the accelerator pedal with the right foot.  

6. When the engine speed no longer increases, quickly read the engine speed and release the accelerator 

pedal.  

7. Shift the selector lever to the N position and idle the engine for 1 min or more to cool the ATF.  

8. Perform a stall test of the M range and R position in the same manner as in Steps 3--7.  

9. Turn off the engine.  

Engine stall speed  

ENGINE STALL SPEED POSSIBLE CAUSE 

Evaluation of stall test  

EVALUATION OF STALL TEST POSSIBLE CAUSE 



Oil pump malfunction  



Oil leaking from D range or R 
position hydraulic circuit  

Constant pressure without fluctuation in hydraulic pressure 
to throttle in D range and R position



Line pressure control solenoid 
malfunction  



Control valve body internal 
malfunction  

Current to throttle does not change in D range and R 
position



TCM internal malfunction  



Connector malfunction  

Hydraulic pressure in R position is not higher than D range



Primary regulator valve malfunction  

CAUTION:



If the accelerator pedal is depressed for more than 5 s while the 
brake pedal is depressed, the transaxle could be damaged. 
Therefore, perform Steps 5 and 6 within 5 s.  



Perform the test at least 3 times and calculate the average.  

Position/range

Engine stall speed (rpm)

D, M

2,637

R

2,555

Condition

Possible cause

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transaxle (AW6A-EL, AW6AX-EL) - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:29:30 AM

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TIME LAG TEST 

1. Perform mechanical system test preparation. (See MECHANICAL SYSTEM TEST PREPARATION.) 

2. Start the engine.  

3. Warm up the engine until the ATF temperature reaches 60-70°C {140-158°F}.  

4. Shift the selector lever from the N position to D range.  

5. Use a stopwatch to measure the time it takes from shifting until shock is felt. Take three measurements 

for each test and average from the results using the following formula. 

Formula  

Average time lag = (Time 1 + Time 2 + Time 3) / 3  

6. Perform the test for the following shifts in the same manner as in Step 5. 



N position --> R position 

Average time lag  

N position --> D range: 1.5 s or less  

N position --> R position: 1.5 s or less

Above 
specification

In D, M ranges



Low line pressure (Line pressure control solenoid 
malfunction, primary regulator valve malfunction)  



Control valve body component malfunction (shift solenoid C 
hydraulic pressure system)  



C1 clutch slipping  



One-way clutch malfunction  

In R position



Low line pressure (Line pressure control solenoid 
malfunction, primary regulator valve malfunction)  



Control valve body component malfunction (shift solenoid E 
hydraulic pressure system)  



C3 clutch malfunction (slipping)  



B2 brake malfunction (slipping)  

In all 
positions/ranges



Low line pressure (Line pressure control solenoid 
malfunction, primary regulator valve malfunction)  



Oil pump malfunction  



Oil strainer clogging  

Below specification



Engine lack of power  



Torque converter one-way clutch slipping  

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transaxle (AW6A-EL, AW6AX-EL) - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:29:30 AM

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© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

Evaluation of time lag test  

EVALUATION OF TIME LAG TEST POSSIBLE CAUSE 

ROAD TEST [AW6A-EL, AW6AX-EL] 

ROAD TEST PREPARATION 

1. Inspect the engine coolant level. (See COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE WARNINGS [MZI-3.7] .) (See 

ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL INSPECTION [MZI-3.7] .)  

2. Inspect the engine oil level. (See ENGINE OIL LEVEL INSPECTION [MZI-3.7] .)  

3. Inspect the ATF level. (See AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID (ATF) INSPECTION [AW6A-EL, 

AW6AX-EL].)  

4. Inspect the idle speed. (See ENGINE TUNE-UP [MZI-3.7] .)  

5. Inspect the ignition timing. (See ENGINE TUNE-UP [MZI-3.7] .)  

6. Bring up the engine and transaxle to normal operating temperature.  

SHIFT DIAGRAM 

D range (normal mode) 

Condition

Possible cause

N --> D 
shift

More than 
specification



Control valve body malfunction (shift solenoid C hydraulic 
pressure system)  



C1 clutch slipping  



One-way clutch malfunction  



Oil pump malfunction  



Oil strainer clogging  

N --> R 
shift

More than 
specification



Control valve body malfunction (shift solenoid E hydraulic 
pressure system)  



C3 clutch slipping  



B2 brake slipping  



Oil pump malfunction  



Oil strainer clogging  

WARNING:



When performing a road test, be aware of other vehicles, people, and 
other impediments in order to avoid an accident.  

NOTE:



When the legal speed limit must be exceeded, use a chassis dynamometer 
instead of performing a road test.  

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transaxle (AW6A-EL, AW6AX-EL) - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 10:29:30 AM

Page 8 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.