Torque Converter Solenoid

[aidansmom25]

Has anyone changed one of these on a 2002 malibu? My check engine light came on and the code read that the torque converter solenoid was stuck on. I know it's in the transmission but not sure if you have to take the side panel off or the transmission pan to get to it. Thanks!

melissa

[Reg Saretsky]

& I was only helping someone who knew his stuff!

The control solenoid is located on the side of the Control valve assembly body. You want to make sure that the Tcc regulated apply valve, & spring isn't sticking.( Stuff behind the solenoid)

Be sure to ahve the transmission Schematics before you start, plus the gaskets.

Melissa, perhaps a good trans flush is in order first? You could have varnish, debris, etc, in the solenoid passage, & that could be blocking the actuator.

Good luck
Reg

[aidansmom25]

Thanks Reg. Well we got the solenoid changed without too much trouble other than lots of time. My husband and a friend changed it. They ended up pulling the motor 3/4 of the way out so they could get the side panel cover open. The check engine light went off but the transmission was slipping afterwards. He followed the instructions for filling the tranny fluid (running engine, pulled plug on bottom etc) so that shouldn't be the problem. We drove it yesterday and the check engine light came on and the tranny fluid was reddish brown when he checked that. He changed the fluid (again) and the light was still on and the transmission was slipping still. I took it in today to get the codes read at a place near us and it read torque converter solenoid stuck off (same code as before) and incorrect gear ratio. The only thing the guy could think of to be wrong is a clutch is going bad in there. He said the only way to repair that is to rebuild the transmission which of course is costly. Any other ideas?

[aidansmom25]

Thanks Reg. Well we got the solenoid changed without too much trouble other than lots of time. My husband and a friend changed it. They ended up pulling the motor 3/4 of the way out so they could get the side panel cover open. The check engine light went off but the transmission was slipping afterwards. He followed the instructions for filling the tranny fluid (running engine, pulled plug on bottom etc) so that shouldn't be the problem. We drove it yesterday and the check engine light came on and the tranny fluid was reddish brown when he checked that. He changed the fluid (again) and the light was still on and the transmission was slipping still. I took it in today to get the codes read at a place near us and it read torque converter solenoid stuck off (same code as before) and incorrect gear ratio. The only thing the guy could think of to be wrong is a clutch is going bad in there. He said the only way to repair that is to rebuild the transmission which of course is costly. Any other ideas?