7 Symptoms of a Bad Transmission Shift Solenoid
Can I drive with a bad shift solenoid?
The short answer is that, yes, you can usually drive a car with a bad shift solenoid. Fluid pressure control should continue to function in the gear with the working solenoid, but you should avoid putting any serious stress on the transmission -- towing or drag racing -- just in case.
What causes a bad shift solenoid?
A transmission solenoid can fail due to electrical issues, or dirty fluid that's caused the shift solenoid to become stuck open / closed.
Can you test a shift solenoid?
The testing of on/off solenoids is straightforward. Pressure should be applied to the inlet, and if it is normally closed, you should not see pressure at the outlet. Once energized, you should see pressure at the outlet. For a normally open solenoid, the opposite is true.
Related Question What are the signs of a bad shift solenoid?
How long does it take to change a shift solenoid?
The job to replace the transmission solenoid generally takes between 2-4 hours, which can give you an idea of how much the labor cost will be. The sohp time is generally billed at around $60-$140 per hour, which means that it will be at least double this due to the shop time needed to replace the transmission solenoid.
How do you test a bad solenoid?
Do your best to listen for a “click” noise. If the click is strong and loud, it most likely means the solenoid has enough power and is working properly. If the clicking you are hearing is quiet or repetitive, it may be that your solenoid is not strong enough or does not have enough power from the battery.
What does jumping the solenoid mean?
By jumping your starter solenoid, you are turning the screwdriver or other metal implement into a manual switch. If you're not careful, you can turn your body into the conduit as well. Plus, if you don't get the screwdriver off of the contacts soon enough, you can burn out the starter motor.