Valve Body

Remove transmission oil pan, replace valve body assembly, and refill transmission fluid to restore proper automatic transmission shift control and hydraulic function.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Valve body assembly × 1 — Use OEM Chrysler/Mopar part for A-500/A-518 transmission
• Transmission oil pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission filter × 1 — Typically replaced with valve body service
• Transmission fluid × 6 — ATF+3 or Mopar specification

Fluids

• power_steering — 6 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake firmly.
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels.
3. Allow engine and transmission to cool if recently operated (minimum 30 minutes).
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and secure on jack stands at manufacturer-approved jacking points.
5. Verify vehicle stability by attempting to rock before working underneath.
6. Position drain pan underneath transmission oil pan.

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   Locate the transmission drain plug at the rear of the transmission oil pan. Using appropriate socket, loosen drain plug slowly to allow fluid to drain into collection pan. Once fluid flow slows, remove drain plug completely and allow full drainage (approximately 4-5 quarts will drain). Inspect drain plug washer for damage. If transmission does not have drain plug, proceed to pan removal in next step for drainage.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove transmission oil pan
   Locate all transmission pan bolts around the perimeter of the pan (typically 14-16 bolts on A-518 transmission). Starting from one corner, loosen each bolt gradually in a criss-cross pattern to prevent warping the pan flange. Leave two bolts at opposite corners partially threaded to support pan weight. Carefully pry pan loose with flathead screwdriver if gasket is stuck, being careful not to damage sealing surfaces. Remove remaining bolts and lower pan slowly, allowing any remaining fluid to drain. Remove and discard old gasket material.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove transmission filter
   Locate the transmission filter attached to the valve body with 3 bolts. Remove these bolts and carefully pull filter straight down to disengage from pickup tube. Inspect filter pickup tube O-ring on valve body for damage. If O-ring remains in filter, remove and install on new filter. Discard old filter.
4. 4

   Document valve body configuration
   Before removing valve body, take clear photographs from multiple angles showing: electrical connector orientation, throttle valve cable position and routing (if equipped), manual valve lever position, and any check ball locations visible. Note the position of the manual valve relative to the detent lever. This documentation is critical for proper reassembly.
   ℹ️The manual valve must align precisely with the shift linkage detent lever. Misalignment will cause incorrect shift pattern or no movement.
5. 5

   Disconnect valve body electrical connections
   Locate the transmission range sensor (neutral safety switch) and governor pressure solenoid electrical connectors on the valve body. Disconnect both connectors by pressing release tabs and pulling straight out. Note connector positions and routing for reinstallation.
   ⚠Do not pull on wires; always disconnect at connector body to prevent terminal damage.
6. 6

   Disconnect throttle valve cable
   If equipped with throttle valve (TV) cable, locate the cable attachment point on the valve body. Press the cable lock tab and slide cable out of bracket. Note cable position and adjustment before removal. The TV cable controls line pressure and shift points; improper adjustment will cause harsh shifts or transmission damage.
   ⚠Mark or measure TV cable adjustment position before removal. Incorrect adjustment can cause transmission damage from improper line pressure.
7. 7

   Remove valve body mounting bolts
   Locate all valve body mounting bolts securing the assembly to the transmission case. The A-518 valve body typically uses 12-14 bolts of varying lengths. Note bolt positions as different locations require different length bolts. Remove bolts in a criss-cross pattern, supporting the valve body weight as bolts are loosened. Keep bolts organized by location.
8. 8

   Remove valve body assembly
   Carefully lower the valve body assembly, keeping it level to prevent check balls or springs from falling out. As you lower it, disengage the manual valve from the manual lever linkage by sliding the valve body toward the rear of the transmission while lowering. The manual valve is a long rod extending from the valve body that engages a slot in the manual lever. Once clear, remove valve body completely and place on clean work surface with gasket side facing up.
   ⚠Keep valve body assembly level and gasket side up during removal. Internal check balls or springs may fall out if tilted, causing difficult reassembly and potential malfunction.
9. 9

   Inspect and clean mating surfaces
   Inspect the transmission case valve body mounting surface for damage, warping, or debris. Remove all old gasket material using plastic gasket scraper, being careful not to scratch aluminum surfaces. Clean surface thoroughly with lint-free shop rags and solvent. Inspect the magnet in the transmission pan for metal debris; normal wear produces fine metallic dust, but large particles or chunks indicate internal damage requiring further diagnosis. Clean magnet and pan thoroughly before reinstallation.
10. 10

    Prepare new valve body for installation
    Remove new or rebuilt valve body from packaging. Verify all check balls, springs, and separator plate components are in correct positions (reference factory service manual diagram or rebuild kit instructions). Install new valve body gasket onto valve body, aligning all bolt holes and fluid passages. If gasket does not have adhesive backing, use small amount of transmission assembly gel to hold in position.
11. 11

    Install valve body assembly
    Position the valve body assembly near the transmission case, aligning the manual valve with the manual lever linkage slot. Guide the manual valve into the manual lever while raising the valve body into position. Ensure gasket remains properly aligned and all bolt holes line up. Once positioned, hand-start all mounting bolts in their correct locations (use photos from removal to verify bolt lengths). Tighten bolts in criss-cross pattern to specified torque in three stages: first to 7 Nm (5 lb-ft), then to 14 Nm (10 lb-ft), and finally to 27 Nm (20 lb-ft).
    ⚠Over-torquing valve body bolts can warp the valve body casting and cause valve sticking. Use torque wrench and follow tightening sequence.
12. 12

    Reconnect throttle valve cable
    If equipped with TV cable, route cable back to valve body and insert into bracket until lock tab engages. Adjust cable to previously marked position. Proper adjustment typically requires cable to be slightly tensioned with throttle at idle position, with full throttle producing additional cable movement. Verify smooth cable operation through full throttle range.
    ℹ️TV cable adjustment is critical. Too loose causes late shifts and slipping; too tight causes early harsh shifts and excessive line pressure.
13. 13

    Reconnect electrical connections
    Reconnect transmission range sensor and governor pressure solenoid electrical connectors, ensuring they click fully into place. Verify connectors are fully seated and locking tabs are engaged. Route wiring as documented in removal photographs to prevent pinching during pan installation.
14. 14

    Install new transmission filter
    Install new O-ring on valve body filter pickup tube if not pre-installed on new filter. Align new filter with pickup tube and push straight up until fully seated. Install filter mounting bolts and torque to specification.
15. 15

    Install transmission oil pan
    Clean transmission pan thoroughly and inspect for damage. Install new pan gasket on pan (or on transmission case, depending on gasket design). Position pan against transmission case, ensuring gasket aligns properly with all bolt holes. Hand-start all pan bolts. Tighten bolts in criss-cross pattern starting from center and working outward, torquing to specification.
    ⚠Over-torquing pan bolts can distort pan and cause leaks. Use torque wrench and criss-cross tightening pattern.
    Torque spec

    Transmission Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reinstall drain plug
    If transmission has drain plug, install new crush washer on drain plug if equipped. Thread drain plug into pan and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Refill transmission fluid
    Lower vehicle to ground. Locate transmission dipstick tube. Using transmission fluid pump or funnel with extension tube, add approximately 4 quarts of ATF+3 transmission fluid through dipstick tube. Start engine and allow to idle in Park. With parking brake applied and foot on brake pedal, shift transmission through all gear positions, pausing 2-3 seconds in each position. Return to Park. Check fluid level on dipstick with engine running and transmission at normal operating temperature (typically 160-180°F). Add fluid as needed to bring level to full hot mark. Total system capacity is approximately 8.5 quarts; valve body service typically requires 5-6 quarts to refill.
    ⚠Do not overfill transmission. Overfilling causes foaming, aeration, and potential seal damage from excessive pressure.
    ℹ️Fluid level must be checked with transmission at operating temperature and engine running. Cold level readings are inaccurate.

Reassembly

1. Reinstallation follows removal steps in reverse order.
2. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked.
3. Verify manual valve engagement with shift linkage by manually shifting through all gear positions before road test.
4. Double-check all mounting bolt torque specifications.
5. Use only new gaskets; never reuse old transmission gaskets.
6. Verify throttle valve cable adjustment if equipped, as improper adjustment causes shift problems and transmission damage.

Verification

• With engine running, verify transmission fluid level is at full hot mark on dipstick after reaching operating temperature.
• Check for fluid leaks around transmission pan and valve body area after initial operation.
• Verify smooth shifts through all gear ranges (P-R-N-D-2-1) with engine running and vehicle stationary.
• Perform road test to verify proper shift points, shift quality, and transmission engagement in all forward gears and reverse.
• Verify transmission range indicator (gear position display) matches actual shifter position in all gear selections.
• Check for any unusual noises, vibrations, or delayed engagement that might indicate incorrect valve body installation or adjustment.
• Recheck fluid level after road test and top off if needed; valve body replacement may initially absorb additional fluid into new seals and passages.

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