What are the symptoms of a damaged automatic transmission solenoid valve?
3 Answers
Automatic transmission solenoid valve damage symptoms generally manifest as increased vibration when the vehicle starts, especially when shifting the gear selector from P or N to D position. During driving, there may be severe vibration during upshifts of the automatic transmission. The causes of automatic transmission solenoid valve damage are as follows: 1. Solenoid coil short circuit or open circuit: First measure continuity with a multimeter. If the resistance approaches zero or infinity, it indicates coil short circuit or open circuit. 2. Solenoid connector/socket issues: For solenoids with connectors/sockets, problems may include faulty metal contacts in the socket or incorrect wiring (such as connecting power to ground), preventing power from reaching the coil. 3. Solenoid valve core problem: Under normal medium pressure conditions, if pressing the red manual button produces no response (no change in medium flow), this definitely indicates a faulty valve core.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for many years and have encountered several instances of solenoid valve failures, which were quite noticeable. When starting or shifting gears, the car would suddenly slip, as if you stepped on the gas but the car didn't move, delaying the response by a second or two. On the highway, gear shifts were more prone to jerks or lurches, causing the car to shake violently, which was quite nerve-wracking. Once while driving in the rain, it wouldn't shift into third gear at all, and the speed became unstable, nearly causing a rear-end collision. This issue can also lead to transmission overheating; if the engine temperature warning light comes on, you should be on high alert. My advice is not to wait if you notice these signs—take your car to a professional repair shop immediately. Otherwise, prolonged wear on the solenoid valve can damage the entire transmission system, and replacing parts isn't cheap. Pay attention to these abnormalities while driving and maintain your car regularly to save big in the long run.
From a car enthusiast's perspective, the solenoid valves in an automatic transmission control the flow of hydraulic fluid. If they fail, gear shifting will definitely go haywire. Common symptoms include severe jerking when switching to R or D gear, accompanied by rattling noises; sometimes the gear gets stuck and won't shift, remaining in neutral or low gear; during sudden acceleration, there might be slippage or no response. This could also come with strange noises or minor oil leaks - it's important to check the transmission fluid color; if it's black, that indicates a problem. If not repaired promptly, increased wear can lead to other components failing, with repair costs easily running into thousands. My advice to fellow car enthusiasts is not to ignore these warning signs. Before driving, do a quick check under the hood for anything unusual - safety first.
