Description

Dana Spicer Automate-2 1999 Troubleshooting Manual

I’ve been wrenching on heavy trucks long enough to know that a semi-automatic transmission that won’t shift is a quick way to burn a whole afternoon—and your profit margin. The Dana Spicer Automate-2 1999 Troubleshooting Manual is the factory document you need when the dash lights up and the driver is staring at you. It’s 36 pages of original Spicer content, not some condensed aftermarket cheat sheet that guesses on pressure specs.

Troubleshooting Tools: What the Manual Expects

Page 6 lists exactly what tools you need: a multimeter, a MPSI Pro-Link, and an IBM-compatible computer with the included software disk. The manual warns you to set the air brakes before any procedure—I’ve seen guys skip that step and get a truck roll on them. It also tells you to never shift automated gears with the engine running. That kind of warning isn’t decoration; it’s from real failure cases. The flash code chart on page 7 is your first go-to when the controller locks you out.

How to Shift the Automate-2

Chapter three covers the shift sequence—push-button range selection, clutchless shifts under normal operation. The manual includes trucking tips for holding gears on grades and reminders about air system pressure. If the transmission won’t engage a range, the troubleshooting section walks you through testing the solenoid valves and pressure switch.

Diagnosing Without a Computer

Not every shop has a laptop handy. The manual dedicates pages 9–15 to troubleshooting without a computer using diagnostic flash codes from the dash indicator. You count the flashes, cross-reference the problem-action list, and you’re on the right track. The code list covers everything from low air pressure to a failed speed sensor.

7 Problem-Action Lists Covered

The guide organizes failures into seven separate problem-action tables: one for flash code diagnostics, one for computer-based messages, and others for specific subsystems like the air filter regulator and controller wiring. Each table gives a symptom, a probable cause, and a fix in order of likelihood. That’s the kind of logic that keeps you from replacing parts that aren’t broken.

Air Filter Regulator: Servicing Procedure

Page 29 walks through servicing the air filter regulator. This is a common failure point—water or debris in the air system kills shift quality. The manual shows you how to disassemble, clean, and replace the cartridge, and it specifies the torque for the mounting bolts. Don’t guess; use a torque wrench.

Computer Troubleshooting Setup

Pages 16–19 cover connecting an IBM-compatible computer to the transmission controller. You need the software disk (supplement C) that came with the manual. The manual gives pinout diagrams and menu navigation steps. If you see a message like “ESX Control Override” on the terminal, the troubleshooting table on page 18 tells you exactly which circuit to check.

This isn’t some generic PDF. It’s the original 1999 factory publication from Transmission Technologies Corporation (TTC), a Dana Spicer company. The bulletin number is 2370. Every torque value, code, and step comes from their engineering data. I don’t trust aftermarket manuals on a job where the customer is waiting and a misdiagnosis costs $600 in labor. Manual Transmission”>Manual transmissions this old need the right documentation, and this is it.

FAQ

Does this manual include torque specs?

Yes, for air filter regulator bolts and controller mounting hardware, specified in foot-pounds on page 29.

Can I use this manual if my truck has a different engine?

The troubleshooting procedures are focused on the Automate-2 transmission controller and air system, not the engine. If the transmission is a Spicer Automate-2, this manual applies regardless of engine make. The diagnostics (flash codes, computer messages) are tied to the TTC controller. For engine-specific issues, you need a separate truck service manual. If you’re working on a fleet with multiple transmission types, check out the Spicer Automate-2 9 & 10 Speed Transmission Service Manual”>Spicer Automate-2 9 & 10 Speed Transmission Service Manual for full rebuild procedures, or the Dana Spicer APC 200 TCON.H 2010 User Manual”>Dana Spicer APC 200 TCON.H 2010 User Manual for newer controllers. For older Eaton setups, the ICE 416 325 Operators Manual”>ICE 416 325 Operators Manual might be necessary.

The manual ships as a digital access—no waiting for shipping. You get the full 36-page PDF, the quick reference card (supplement B), and the software disk image (supplement C). I’ve used these manuals for years at my San Antonio shop. They save you from replacing a solenoid when the real problem is a bad ground wire. Manual Transmission”>Manual transmission diagnostics require factory data, and this is the factory data. Access the Factory Manual and put it on your shop tablet before the next Automate-2 rolls in.