Does your transmission have strange shifting problems and unexpected error messages on the dashboard? The shift solenoid is a part that can cause a lot of strange problems with your automatic transmission if it is faulty.
Replacing a shift solenoid is often costly, so you want to ensure you do not replace a functional solenoid. So, what are the common symptoms of a bad shift solenoid?
The most common symptoms of a bad or failing shift solenoid include hard shifting, stuck in gear, rough shifting, or other shifting issues with your automatic transmission. You may also notice a transmission warning light or other warning lights on your dashboard.
This is just a quick look at the signs that can appear when you have problems with a faulty shift solenoid. In this guide, you will find more in-depth information about the common symptoms, location, replacement cost, and how to diagnose the shift solenoid. Let’s take a quick look at the signs you should look for.
1. Check Engine light
The first sign you will notice of all bad shift solenoid symptoms is probably the check engine light. The check engine light will light up even when there is a problem with the transmission.
Usually, if you use an OBD2 canner to read the trouble codes, you may see a P0700 Trouble code. This code basically tells you that there is a problem with the transmission control, and more trouble codes will be found in the transmission control module.
2. Transmission Warning Light
Some cars also have a separate warning light for the transmission. If this light is on, there may be a stored trouble code related to a bad shift solenoid.
To read the trouble codes from the transmission control module, you need an OBD2 scanner to read generic and enhanced trouble codes. Most cheaper ones can only read the codes from the engine control module.
3. Shifting delays
If the transmission control unit recognizes any shift solenoid problems, it may cause the transmission to shift very slowly. This applies to both upshifting and downshifting.
4. Skipping gears
You may also notice that your car has a problem engaging some gears, and therefore it will skip to the next gear. This is a big sign that you have transmission shift solenoid problems. You have one or more shift solenoid for each gear, and if one is broken, it will not shift to that gear. Instead, it will jump directly to the next gear.
5. Stuck in gear
If the shift solenoid got damaged while the gear was engaged, it might cause the transmission to be stuck in that gear. If this is the case, you can try to give the shift solenoid external power to release the gear if you know how to do it.
6. Downshift or Upshift Issues
You may also have intermittent problems with the transmission shift solenoid, which will cause shifting problems. This can cause hard shifting or shiftings at too low or too high RPM, for example.
7. Limp mode
Limp mode is a protective mode for your engine, and you will notice it mostly because your engine will get an RPM limit of 2500-3000 RPM, and it may also affect your transmission shifting.
Limp mode causes the transmission to not shift over gear 3, and if there is a bad shift solenoid, it may cause your car to activate limp mode. You can read more about it here: Limp mode.
What Is A Shift Solenoid?
A transmission shift solenoid is an electromagnet component of an automatic or semi-automatic transmission that controls the flow of fluid to change gears and other functions in the transmission.
The transmission control unit is collecting information from the engine, vehicle speed sensors, and other sensors. The transmission control module uses all these parameters to calculate when it’s time to shift to the next gear.
When it’s time to shift, the transmission control unit sends out power or ground to the required shift solenoid, and it causes the solenoid to open and let the transmission oil flow into the valve body, which then shifts to the next gear.
Shift Solenoid Location
The transmission shift solenoids are located inside the valve body of your automatic transmission.
They are integrated into the valve body, and on some car models, you can see them without removing the valve body, while on others, you have to remove the valve body to reach them.
In the picture above, you see the shift solenoids located on the valve body. The shift solenoids are the tubes with yellow, green, and black colors.
Shift Solenoid Replacement Cost
A single shift solenoid’s replacement cost is between $100 and $350, and a shift solenoid pack costs between $400 and $700, including transmission fluid, filter, parts, and labor work.
The replacement cost of a shift solenoid depends a lot on what car model and transmission model you have.
As I mentioned before, in some cars, you can’t replace just one solenoid. You have to replace the whole solenoid pack, or in some cars, even the whole valve body, which is often very expensive.
When you replace a shift solenoid, valve body, or solenoid pack, you should always replace the transmission fluid and filter.
These are the prices, including parts and labor costs. The prices do not include diagnosis and fluid replacement costs.
- Single shift solenoid replacement cost: $50-150$
- Shift solenoid pack replacement cost: $300-600$
- Valve body replacement cost: $500 to $1000
The price is also affected a lot depending on what parts and transmission fluid you are using. Aftermarket parts are often cheaper than original parts but often not of the same quality.
You do also want to look for technical service bulletins for your vehicle because many car models such as Hyundai have bulletins on the shift solenoids.
How to Diagnose a Shift Solenoid Problem?
First, we have to figure out if it’s a wiring, shift solenoid, TCM, or mechanical problem. To do so, you should read and research the trouble codes carefully to understand the problem before starting the troubleshooting.
If the trouble code tells us that it’s stuck or an electrical problem, it is most likely a wiring or shift solenoid problem and you need to test the shift solenoids.
Many shift solenoid-related codes can be solved by doing a transmission fluid replacement or carrying out a transmission flush. A transmission fluid change is often not that expensive, so it’s well worth doing.
Using a diagnostic scanner is a must when it comes to shift solenoid-related problems.
Here is a list of how you can carry out the troubleshooting with a scanner:
- Find a transmission wiring diagram for your transmission.
- Find out which pins are going to the affected shift solenoid.
- Loosen the transmission wiring plug on the transmission
- Use the OBD2 scanner and start the output test of the affected shift solenoid.
- Measure with a multimeter to see whether you get both 12 volts and ground to the shift solenoid at the plug on the transmission on the affected pin.
If you do not get both 12 volts and ground, you may have a wiring problem or a faulty transmission control unit (TCM).
If you get 12 volts and ground and the shift solenoid trouble code keeps coming back after you have erased it, you probably have a faulty shift solenoid.
Common Shift Solenoid Trouble Codes
- P0750 – Shift Solenoid A
- P0752 – Shift Solenoid A – Stuck Solenoid @ ON
- P0753 – Transmission 3-4 Shift Solenoid – Relay Circuits
- P0754 – Shift Solenoid A – Intermittent fault
- P0755 – Shift Solenoid B
- P0756 – AW4 Shift Sol B (2-3) – Functional Failure
- P0757 – Shift Solenoid B – Stuck Solenoid @ ON
- P0758 – Shift Solenoid B – Electrical
- P0759 – Shift Solenoid B – Intermittent fault
- P0760 – Shift Solenoid C
- P0761 – Shift Solenoid C – Performance or Stuck Off
- P0762 – Shift Solenoid C – Stuck Solenoid @ ON
- P0763 – Shift Solenoid C – Electrical
- P0764 – Shift Solenoid C – Intermittent fault
- P0765 – Shift Solenoid D
- P0766 – Shift Solenoid D – Performance or Stuck Off
- P0767 – Shift Solenoid D – Stuck Solenoid @ ON
- P0768 – Shift Solenoid D – Electrical
- P0769 – Shift Solenoid D – Interm
- P0770 – Shift Solenoid E
- P0771 – Shift Solenoid E – Performance or Stuck Off
- P0772 – Shift Solenoid E – Stuck Solenoid @ ON
- P0773 – Shift Solenoid E – Electrical
- P0774 – Shift Solenoid E – Intermittent fault
Can you drive with a faulty shift solenoid?
Although you can probably drive your car with a faulty shift solenoid, it is not recommended. A faulty shift solenoid can cause further damage to your transmission which will be more expensive than repairing the shift solenoid immediately.
Can you replace a shift solenoid yourself?
Whether you can replace a shift solenoid yourself is entirely up to what car model you drive and how much knowledge you have. Some shift solenoids are fairly easy to replace by removing the transmission and valve body with the help of a repair manual. However, it is quite difficult to replace a shift solenoid in most car models, and you may need a computer afterward to adjust it.
How do you fix a stuck shift solenoid?
In some cases, you can fix a stuck shift solenoid by changing the transmission oil and filter and doing a transmission fluid flush. Unfortunately, in most cases you will need to replace the stuck shift solenoid if a flush doesn’t help.
How many shift solenoids are in a transmission?
There are usually 2 to 5 shift solenoids in most automatic transmissions, depending on the make and model of the car. Their primary purpose is to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch packs in the transmission, which allow for shifts between gears.
If you notice any of the bad shift solenoid symptoms mentioned above, it’s time to take your car to a mechanic if you are not sure how to diagnose it yourself. They will be able to diagnose the problem and, hopefully, fix it without having to replace the entire transmission.
Worn shift solenoids are a much more common problem in older cars, so if you have an older vehicle, this is something to keep in mind.
Learn more:
- Transmission Shifting Hard – Causes & How to Fix it
- Automatic Transmission Won’t Shift into the Third Gear (Causes)
- Car Won’t Move In Any Gear Automatic Transmission – Causes & How to Fix
Categories: Transmission
