1995 Aurora Shift Solenoid

What causes the shift solenoid to "break" in the 95 Olds Aurora? Does driving with low transmission fluid level have any effect on it? I had my radiator replaced and transmission fluid changed on mine 8 days ago. Since then the car has made a "whine" when accelerating. 2 days later the car won't shift while driving. I checked the transmission fluid level and it was over a quart low. The mechanic now wants to charge me another $200-$300 to repair the selonoid. Is it just coincidence that it was fine before he changed the ATF?

I would tell him your case and ask him how he can justify the charge based on what you are telling us.

How many days did you wait to take it back to the mechanic? That could really have a bearing on whether it could "LEGALLY" determine whether it is his fault or yours.

The whining sound certainly sounds like a tranny that is low on fluid. However, I would be more concerned that the propblem might not be a solenoid, especially if it was ran low on tranny fluid, especially enough to make it whine.

Did the mechanic check the solenoids to determine that one might be bad.

Did you fill up the transmission?

Also, solenoids can go bad for various reason, just like any other part in your car. Low fluid, I don't think can cause that to happen, but there might be a indirect influence. I am not sure.

I actually had to take it back to the mechanic the day I received it back because he forgot to hook the fan back up on the radiator, therefore it was getting very hot. I informed him then of the whine, he added power steering fluid! I then took it back to him after 8 days when it started not shifting at all while driving and informed him that the fluid level was low when cold, very low when hot with some foam, my boss checked it for me as I know nothing about cars and my husband was out of town. The mechanic then said he didn't think it was low but would add a pint. When I took it back to him 4 hours later he said that driving it when it is only a little more than a QUART low would not hurt it. He went ahead and replaced the solenoid today and called a few hours ago that it was done and the total cost would be $270. I have not gone to pick it up yet. Will go in the a.m. and discuss this matter with him. He is a reputable mechanic in our small town, but I am beginning to wonder now - he actually had to replace the radiator 2 times. After the 1st one I got it home and fluid was pouring out of it - I returned to him to find that the new one had a huge crack in it!

I picked it up this morning. It is shifting OK but I think it is still making a "whine" when accelerating. The mechanic says it's in my head. Time will tell. I will be driving a great distance this week (530+ mi. round trip-do this every other weekend-gets expensive in this car with cost of gas!) sure hope it holds up! Thanks for the input!
If anyone can tell me if running on low transmission fluid would have affected this solenoid since it was fine before I had it changed and the ATF wasn't filled to the correct level when the problem started, feel free to email - [email protected]