Transaxle Cooling
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Sable and 2003 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
All vehicles are equipped with an integral fluid cooler and a combination fluid cooler. The integral transmission fluid cooler is contained inside of the radiator outlet tank and cannot be repaired separately. The combination fluid cooler is an external cooler for the transaxle and the power steering system. The combination cooler is mounted on the bottom of the radiator support. In operation, transmission fluid travels from the transaxle to the combination fluid cooler, to the integral transmission fluid cooler, then back to the transaxle.
The integral transmission fluid cooler transfers heat from the transmission fluid to the engine coolant.
The combination fluid cooler transfers heat from the transmission fluid to outside air.