shift selenoids

[jjdewd]

Does anyone know if the shift selenoids just go when they're bad or are there tell tale signs?

I haven't done a filter and flush since I bought the car(96) I'm assuming thats a good preventative measure.

If they go is it an easy job for the do-it-yourselfer

thanks

[IronAuroraV8]

well if the shift solenoids fail - the first tell tale sign would be hard shifts and check engine light/flashing overdrive light.

the replacement is not that hard - but it required dropping tranny pan and removing valve body.

set of good instructions is a must.

My brother replaced his solenoids on his 97 Maxima in about 2 hours.

IronKrakus.

[abrigham]

Originally Posted by IronAuroraV8

well if the shift solenoids fail - the first tell tale sign would be hard shifts and check engine light/flashing overdrive light.

the replacement is to that hard - but it required dropping tranny pan and removing valve body.

set of good instructions is a must.

My brother replaced his solenoids on his 97 Maxima in about 2 hours.

IronKrakus.

yup....prolly the only easy thing u can do to the tranny in the aurora..lol...i took it to a shop and they did it in about an hr or so...

[jjdewd]

abrigham how much did it cost?

[RobertHammen]

Is it just the '95's that have this problem? Or does it affect all years? Most of the people I've seen complaining of this are '95 owners, but that doesn't mean anything...

[dsatt12]

I had mine done for $300 total, but that included some extra diagnostic time. That and they redid the pan filter and cleaned up stuff pretty good.

There was no warning for me- or my wife who was driving 250 miles from home. Of course there was nothing wrong with mine until that little plastic filter bracket gave way either. That was one crappy drive home in 2nd gear.

[jjdewd]

cool ..well my car is a 96 but who know's could have 95 tranny in it. Just feels like its shifting different and I keep gettin an SES light. I need get to codes read I guess.

Thanks guys

[dsatt12]

I should point out that my problem when they failed (spectacularly), the car wouldn't stay in 3rd gear. It would shift up, but then drop right back out.

The problem I had was something covered in a TSB for 95s and some early 96s in that there is a plastic filter bracket that isn't strong enough that got replaced with a metal one later. When that filter (which sits in between the 3rd and 4th gear shift solenoids) gets plugged up and the tranny gets hot, that bracket gives and the filter shoots out. The solenoids crack at the base and lean over. So basically the little check valve ball part at the bottom can't work any more.

Surprisingly enough, I really had to f#$% with it to get a SES light. At the time I had no idea what was going on either, aside from the jerks at the local shop where my wife stopped wanting to gouge her for like $5000 to install a rebuilt transmission. They were saying it was like $3500 just to get a rebuilt 4T80E.

[97 silverbullet]

my car's drive went but since I have 3rd it works still, i've been driving for 6 months now one 3rd gear, The stupid tranny shops around here want like 400 - 450 to fix it and I dont have that to spend, but the mph sucks, and I drive to IL and back every month, it cost me like 160 bucks for a round trip. I've been wanting to do it myself but every time I bid on ebay for a book or something on it someone out bids me by 50 cents and pisses me off so that just puts my tranny on hold. cause I want to do it myself, i know its easy I just need directions.

[dsatt12]

I had mine done at cottman transmissions (www.cottman.com). They show locations in McHenry and Glendale in Illinois. I was pretty happy with them overall.

[abrigham]

i think it was around 100 bucks for me to get a selinoid replaced

[taylal23]

I have a 2001 and my check engine light is on and I'm getting a code for the transmission. I called a dealer b.c I heard the jerking I'm getting when the gears change could be my solenoids; they said it would be $850.00.

[Jasperse]

1-2 3-4 Shift Solenoids Have Nylon Cases That Fail With Heat And Time ...olds Has Steel Case Replacements For About 60-80$ R&r 150-250$ And Yes...driving Anywhere In 2nd Gear In This Car Sucks.

[Sweet William]

The new solenoids are not steel, they look just like the old ones, maybe the plastic is different, I'm not sure. The main thing is the bracket that holds the screen in place. I paid $58 from the local caddy dealer and did it in my driveway. Most tranny shops told me $350 and up to $800 to do the job. Definetly do this one yourself if you are confident enough. It's not that tough.

[taylal23]

Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to do change the solenoids?