If your automatic transmission is performing erratically, it could be a sign your transmission’s solenoids are failing or have failed
Transmission solenoids are one of your automatic transmission’s many critical components.
Solenoids are electro-hydraulic valves. They control the flow of transmission fluid throughout the transmission, and they open and close as per the electrical signals they receive from your vehicle’s engine or transmission control unit, which pulls its data from a series of speed sensors in the engine.
Whereas a clutch controls how and when gears shift in a manual transmission, solenoids are part of an automatic transmission’s complex hydraulic system that performs the same task. Furthermore, there are various kinds of solenoids, including the transmission shift solenoid, the lockup solenoid, and the transmission control solenoid.
There are a variety of reasons as to why one or more of your transmission’s solenoids can fail. When your engine or transmission control unit sends signals to the solenoids to shift up or down, these valves open or close to allow or restrict the flow of transmission fluid. It’s the fluid that pressurizes your transmission’s clutches and bands and allows it to change gears.
What to Do When Transmission Solenoid Troubles Arise
Like any mechanical device or component, transmission solenoids do wear out with time. Standard preventative maintenance for your transmission can help offset their deterioration to a degree.
If you’re experiencing transmission solenoid troubles, it will become evident in one of four ways:
- Delayed gear shifting
- You can’t downshift, and your engine continues to rev even when applying the brakes
- Your transmission gets stuck in neutral
- Shifting gears become rough and choppy
Depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, transmission solenoid replacement costs can vary. In general, a single faulty transmission solenoid replacement costs approximately $250. Replacing the entire solenoid pack can cost around $400.
Talk to Canada’s transmission maintenance and repair experts at Mister Transmission. For more than 50 years, Mister Transmission has kept Canadian motorists on the road by ensuring the transmissions in their vehicles are in tip-top shape. If you have a question about your transmission solenoids or want to book a service appointment, contact the Mister Transmission service centre nearest to you.
