Shift Solenoid going bad?

Yea...I definitely am getting a second opinion...I think my first call tomorrow will be to Aamco, just kind of for shits and giggles to see what they say about this code...they’re kind of the only place around here that does major tranny stuff like that.

But I think my second call will be to a local place in the next town over from me and run the same thing by them.

I just can’t help but think...even if the solenoid fires when you test it, if it’s throwing a code, wouldn’t the smart thing to do be just start by replacing that solenoid throwing the code instead of jumping to a whole new tranny and see if that clears the code and takes care of the problem?

 

Yes, but I wouldn't set foot inside of an Aamco either. Go 100 miles if you have to but find a private shop. We have several in my town that are reputable and we're not very big.

Even a decent mechanic can prob. help you. Aamco is just a rebuild shop....it's all they know, take it apart hope to see the problem, charge enough to do it again and get it back out. They change employees as often as underwear and are constantly training the next batch.

I think they get their managers from dealerships.

 

BTW, I don't think you have a bad solenoid either but we've already discussed what I would do or have done.

 

Haha alright, on that note I think I’ll just start with a call to my local mom and shop mechanic here who’s been good to me...run this code by him and see what he thinks. Thanks again man.

 

Right...what’s your best guess if you had to say?

 

gunk.

 

Man...nail on the head my friend.

Took it to my local place here...200 bucks and a can of brake cleaner later, no code fires and shifts like a dream.

I guess only time will tell if the code pops back up again or not...but am definitely breathing a lot easier for the time being.

Thanks again to all those for taking the time to chime in on this thread. Until next time...

 

Glad it worked

Mind you, I have nothing against rebuilt transmissions. They're clean and dependable. Now at least you could have one done at your leisure. I would bet a small shop would go through one for less than a Grand if you brought them a good core.

 

I seem to be having a similar issue with my 2001 Tacoma (auto trans). About 6 months ago (in NH, cold weather) I had trouble accelerating after a cold start (feels like starting a 4th gear, high revs, barely moving). Once things warmed up and I waited, drove like normal, smooth and no problems. I have flushed the tranny and replaced the filter since. Now in the past week, 3 times when I back out of my garage and put it in D I have this same problem, rev's up barely inches forward and after a few minutes of sitting there, it will perform normally. Also can bypass it by manually shifting to L, in which it takes off and I can then slide into D once moving along.

Any tips would be appreciated?! Been reading about solinodes, hope this isn't symptoms of needing a whole new tranny... I don't think it is brake related since I can back up perfectly well with no issues. Thanks!

 

Are you throwing a trans. code? There is a guy named GearCruncher that is a trans. mech. on here. You can summons him to this thread by putting @ before his name.

The problem you're having is not unheard of across the board of different makes but I've never successfully dealt with it personally.
It sounds dirt related possibly but since I haven't dealt with it ( I had an old Ford that just lost first once but never could get it cured) I'll withhold advise.
Except to say this sounds hard on the clutches. Might want to shift this manually if you HAVE to drive it.

This also merits it's own thread since it's a different symptom than original post and that it's a old start date. It's what the place is for.

Maybe a second piece. It always pays to start a relationship with a reputable trans. guy (private shop) in the area. One who appreciates being paid a few hundred bucks to do a small job knowing they'll get the big ones down the road. I know of two in my town that I can talk to. It's like having an ace in the hole.

 

Thank you @cruxofthebisquit, I'll launch a new thread and reach out to GearCruncher. In the process of trying to find the right guys to get some shop advice as well...

I have no dashboard lights on (check eng. ect), but will run it for codes this weekend to see.

 

Agreed...I’d have it checked for any codes it might be throwing and start there. I was having similar problems and mine was throwing a solenoid code, yet my check engine light or anything else never came on. Ended up taking it to the yota dealership and they tested the solenoid and confirmed it was working and said the lack of communication between that solenoid and the rest of the tranny probably meant a bad tranny and needed a whole new one. Took it down to my local mom and pop shop and had them drop the tranny pan and go to town on it with a can of brake cleaner and a fluid flush and 200 bucks later she shifts like a dream. They said they thought it was probably some kind of gunk or trash that had gotten into the solenoid and prevented it from hitting 100% of the time. So I’d definitely start small and try to get it properly diagnosed first before you go throwing a bunch of money at it, not even knowing what the problem is. Hope this helps.