You’re driving down the road and your car starts to feel a little funny. You pull over to the side of the road and check under the hood, but you don’t know what you’re looking for or where to start.
Your car is telling you it needs service, but you don’t know what that means or where to start. You could take it into a shop and hope they can help, or you could try to diagnose the problem yourself with this Transmission control pressure solenoid guide.
This comprehensive guide will show you everything you need to know about what is transmission control pressure solenoid, including how they work, common symptoms of failure, and how to replace them yourself. Plus, we’ll provide up-to-date the best Transmission control pressure solenoids price on the market so that you can get your car back on the road as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Contents
The fluid pressure to the internal friction plate clutches or drum bands is controlled by the transmission pressure control solenoid. Slipping caused by a bad or failing transmission pressure control solenoid can lead to transmission overheating.
The transmission solenoid can be controlled by the car’s computer in a variety of ways. If the vehicle has a dedicated Transmission Control Unit, it can use a direct 12v signal to open or close the hydraulic circuit. Alternatively, the Engine Control Unit can toggle the ground circuit on and off.
A transmission solenoid can fail due to electrical problems or dirty fluid, causing the shift solenoid to become stuck open or closed. Any change in transmission fluid pressure can cause a variety of issues, including:
When a transmission solenoid fails, the gearbox may skip a gear up or down, shift back and forth between gears repeatedly, or become stuck in a gear and refuse to shift.
The solenoid allows fluid to enter the transmission valve body and pressurize the appropriate gear.
Gear engagement may be difficult or delayed if the shift solenoid is receiving too much or too little electric current, or if dirty transmission fluid has caused it to become stuck open / closed. If this occurs, the transmission may enter limp / fail mode, only engaging second / third gear.
This job takes about 2-4 hours to complete, and shop time is usually billed at $60 – $100 per hour. The average cost of diagnosing and replacing one is between $150 and $400.
A single transmission shift solenoid should cost between $15 and $100 depending on the make and model of your vehicle. A pack can range in price from $50 to $300.
Type | Cost Range |
---|---|
Single | $15 to $100 |
Pack | $50 to $300 |
Labor | $120 to $400 |
Total (Pack) | $250 to $600 |
VEHICLE: 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA
REPAIR: Replace failed PCS
REPAIR SHOP COST: $260
TOYOTA DEALERSHIP COST: $335
DIY COST: $40 to $65
DIY SAVINGS: $195 to $295
VEHICLE: 2008 BMW 330i
REPAIR: Replace failed PCS
REPAIR SHOP COST: $435
BMW DEALERSHIP COST: $550
DIY COST: $75 to $135
DIY SAVINGS: $300 to $475
VEHICLE: 2000 FORD FOCUS
REPAIR: Replace failed PCS
REPAIR SHOP COST: $220
FORD DEALERSHIP COST: $300
DIY COST: $35 to $95
DIY SAVINGS: $125 to $265
VEHICLE: 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
REPAIR: Replace failed PCS
REPAIR SHOP COST: $175
CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP COST: $235
DIY COST: $20 to $40
DIY SAVINGS: $135 to $180
Once your mechanic has the part, replacing the solenoid pack should take between 2.5 and 5 hours, and replacing a single solenoid should take slightly less time.
The long answer is that yes, you can usually drive a car with a faulty shift solenoid. In the gear with the operating solenoid, fluid pressure control should continue to operate, but you should avoid putting any significant strain on the transmission – towing or drag racing – just in case.
The most common signs of a bad starter solenoid are a car that won’t start and a clicking sound when you try to start it. The starter solenoid is connected to, or is a component of, the starter motor. Its function is to act as a switch that activates the starter motor when the ignition is turned on.
They are generally positioned within the valve body, transmission control module, or transmission control unit. In most cases, solenoids are placed in the oil pan and linked to the gearbox’s valve body.
Most hydraulic solenoid test machines have a flush mode or an external solenoid cleaning system. It’s easy to imagine putting the solenoid in a dishwasher and blasting it with hot ATF to remove dirt and debris.
Once it is determined that you have a failed transmission shift solenoid the only repair is to replace the faulty part. Replacing a transmission shift solenoid can be done by most any auto repair shop, automobile dealership service center or you can do-it-yourself “DIY”.
The cost of a shift solenoid replacement is typically modest, especially compared to the entire transmission. Ignoring a warning light or a faulty shift solenoid code can result in expensive problems like driving your car in the wrong gear for your speed and conditions.
Humming, buzzing, or whining noises are typical with bad automatic transmissions; manual transmissions make deeper mechanical noises, such as clunking. Some of these sounds may be caused by the engine, exhaust system, drive shaft, differentials, or even a wheel bearing.
If the dipstick reads that the oil level is fine and the engine sounds like it’s running quietly and smoothly, then 99% of the time, the light is just a malfunctioning sensor. However, in this case you should still stop driving immediately to prevent any major damage to your engine.
A transmission control pressure solenoid is an important piece of your car’s transmission. It helps to manage the hydraulic pressure in the system, and if it fails, you may experience all sorts of problems with your transmission. If you’re experiencing issues with your transmission, it might be time to replace the TCP solenoid. Amortips.com can help you find the right part for your car and get it installed quickly and easily. Have questions about our products or services? Contact us today!
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