How many shift solenoids?

99_xc70 · Post by **99_xc70** » 15 Feb 2012, 05:17

I want to replace all the shift solenoids and even the torque converter lock-up solenoid. What is the best place to get these from and are the shift solenoids a and b the same? Also is there a way to bypass or activate the torque converter lock-up switch so that I can have overdrive back?

Post by **precopster** » 15 Feb 2012, 06:54

This may help. There aren't a lot of members who have removed the solenoids and replaced them.

From what I've heard doing this while the transmission is still in the car is a backbreaker.

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Feb 2012, 07:03

No way to bypass a bad solenoid.

A and B are the same. There's also one for the torque converter lockup. They're all in the cover at the front - and they are NOT easy to access. Total PITA.

I believe several of our vendors sell them - I would call around for the best price. Give Tasca parts (just google them) and FCP Groton a call and see what they want.

I just switched some used solenoids from a lower-mileage car into mine and it's been working great since.

99_xc70 · Post by **99_xc70** » 15 Feb 2012, 07:15

Thanks for the the picture, exactly what I needed to know. I know it will be a huge pain to change but right now I can only drive in and around the city because it will not shift into overdrive. It just stays in 3rd and as I go faster the rpm just keeps climbing! I will be searching out and buying some solenoids this week.

sockeye119 · Post by **sockeye119** » 13 Mar 2012, 00:13

jblackburn wrote:No way to bypass a bad solenoid.

A and B are the same. There's also one for the torque converter lockup. They're all in the cover at the front - and they are NOT easy to access. Total PITA.

I believe several of our vendors sell them - I would call around for the best price. Give Tasca parts (just google them) and FCP Groton a call and see what they want.

I just switched some used solenoids from a lower-mileage car into mine and it's been working great since.

All PITA's are relative. last winter i changed the heater core in my wifes 740...12 hours. it took a couple of days to recover. then I found out I bought the plastic core that you guys said would not last. It didn't. this summer it blew again. That car sits in the lower drive now. i don't have the heart for that but her "new" 850 GLT needs some PNPswitch and solenoid help. I read the tutorial on PNP's I can do that. I can change the Turbo when I have the cash. Can My 56 YO back do the solenoid in place?

Post by **jblackburn** » 13 Mar 2012, 00:20

Take care of the PNP switch first; see if it cures the problem (it can throw weird 'gear ratio' codes, etc).

If you need to do the solenoids, the hard part is getting the bolts off the cover. Most are accessible from the top or bottom, but 3 are really difficult to get to. I had to loosen the subframe from the bottom and hold it with a jack.

You've got about as much room as you can see here to work under the car.