In order to figure out how much you are going to pay total for the overall transmission solenoid cost, you need to know what a transmission solenoid is, the function of the solenoid, the signs and symptoms of a failing solenoid, and important information about the total replacement transmission solenoid cost.
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Depending on the make and model of the car you are driving, you can expect to pay on average between $150 to $100 for a single transmission shift solenoid cost. However, if you are changing the entire pack, this can increase the transmission solenoid cost to between $50 and $300 total.
What is a transmission solenoid?
A transmission solenoid is an electro hydraulic valve that is in charge of controlling the amount of fluid both into and out of the automatic transmission, a type of motor vehicle transmission that automatically alters the gear ratio as your car is moving, meaning that the driver does not have to use a clutch or manually shift the gears.
The solenoids can be normally open or normally closed depending on their resting position. They operate via a voltage through the electrical system in the car or by a current supplied by the transmission computer or controller, often times the electronic control unit. The transmission solenoids are generally placed in a transmission valve body, transmission control unit, or the transmission control module.
Transmission valve body
The transmission valve body is a major component of automatic transmission. If this is not working correctly, the transmission solenoid cost will be much higher since the solenoids cannot do their job. This mechanism consists of a large number of hydraulic channels and passageways that function to bring pressurized fluid to the transmission.
There are many ways that the transmission valve body might be damaged and alter the overall transmission solenoid cost. One symptom of a failing transmission valve body ois harsh or delayed shifts. One of the most common signs is that there will be an extended delay of over 2 seconds, or a harsh movement when shifting from Park to Drive or Park to REverse.
In addition, another sign that your transmission valve body is damaged is that there is incorrect up or down shifting, which can influence the transmission solenoid cost. While driving, you might notice that your transmission is shifting into a high or low gear at the wrong time, making your driving more difficult.
Anhy one of these reasons of a damaged transmission control body can enhance the overall transmission solenoid cost. In addition, we know that the transmission control unit is a key component of the transmission system that influences the overall lifespan and the functioning of the transmission solenoids.
Transmission control unit
The transmission control unit, also known as the TCU, is a device that is in charge of controlling the modern automatic transmission and can be coupled together with semi automatic transmission in race cars. Unfortunately, your TCU can turn bad over time, causing the overall transmission solenoid cost to be much higher than usual.
Transmission control module
The transmission control module is the mechanism that collects data from your vehicle and processes signals in accordance with your transmission to regulate the gear shifting at the right time. It works together and in tandem with other parts that rely on the part to function correctly, including the engine, brake pedal sensor, fluid temperature sensor, and the solenoids, causing the overall transmission solenoid cost to remain low.
There are key signs of the transmission control module failing or damaged that can clue you in to how much you might have to pay for the overall transmission solenoid cost. It will likely never need replacing in your car, but if you have a bad transmission control module, then this will be necessary right away.
Symptoms of a bad transmission control module will oftentimes start with the check engine light turning on in your car. This is an easy sign since it will show up on your dashboard and alert the driver and passengers to any issue in your vehicle. If you notice any issues with shifting while this check engine light is illuminated on your dash, then you can almost certainly narrow this down to the transmission and the transmission solenoid cost.
Another sign of a bad transmission control module is erratic and unpredictable shifting, with the bad transmission control module causing incorrect shifting and presenting your vehicle from shifting to the correct gear at the right time.
Furthermore, another issue with the transmission control module that is a clear sign of damage is problems shifting into high gears. Since each gear has a maximum speed attributed to it, you might never reach your desired speed if your TCM can’t shift to the right gear, causing the overall transmission solenoid cost to be much higher for replacement.
Types of transmission solenoids
There are different kinds of transmission solenoids in your car that can influence how much you might pay for the transmission solenoid cost. The first type of solenoid is the variable force solenoid.
The variable force solenoid is a hydraulic device that controls the pressure in a vehicle according to the signal, whether a voltage or a current, obtained from the powertrain in your car. The powertrain is the part of your motor vehicle that generates power and delivers that power to the surface your car is traveling on.
A low flow variable force solenoid is usually used as a signal for transmission line pressure control or when to appropriately apply the clutch at the right time. A high flow variable control force solenoid is in charge of controlling the line pressure directly or for direct clutch control.
The second type of solenoid is the on-off solenoid, while the third type is a low leak variable bleed solenoid. The last kind of transmission solenoid is the pulse width modulated solenoid, which is a method of reducing the average power delivered by the electrical signal by separating it into various parts. Since all of these transmission solenoids are different in function and placement, they have different prices and variable transmission solenoid cost.
Transmission Solenoid Functions
As you can see, every type of transmission solenoid is a key part of the functioning transmission that keeps your car running smoothly, safely, and at a high level. If you start noticing the symptoms of a bad transmission control solenoid, then this can mean serious issues for your transmission and the performance of your engine, causing your car’s lifespan to be much lower than it would have previously.
In an automatic transmission car, the transmission relies on various bands and clutches to change gears smoothly and on time and when you need it to. In this case, the only way that this can be done is by the correct amount of fluid pressure within the shifting system. The transmission solenoid is the part in charge of opening and closing the valves in the body to allow for either more, or prevent, the fluid from entering. At this point, the fluid can pressurize the clutches and bands to change gears quickly.
Transmission solenoids are a spring loaded plunger that directly communicates with the car’s engine sensors or the transmission control module via electronic signals, whether it be voltage or current. The transmission solenoids and the sensors determine when it is the correct time to shift gears, depending on the vehicle and the engine speed.
If the transmission solenoid is working correctly and contains enough electrical power to be energized to run smoothly, the mechanical plunger allows the right amount of fluid to pass through, while the transmission solenoid is not receiving power in its closed position. While the various engine sensors determine the exact time at which the gears are supposed to shift, the job of the transmission solenoid is to carry out the actual shifting mechanism. If you notice the symptoms of a bad transmission solenoid, you will not be able to shift gears correctly.
Symptoms of a bad transmission solenoid
A transmission solenoid can fail due to a wide variety of reasons, like electrical concerns, dirty fluid, or a stuck solenoid that is open or closed. These issues can cause some of the following problems and symptoms.
Erratic shifting – if your transmission solenoid is failing or has become damaged, then the gearbox can get stuck and skip a gear, whether going up or down in the gearbox range, and get stuck, refusing to shift and leaving you without the ability to go faster or slower.
Transmission wont downshift – another symptom that can cause your overall transmission solenoid cost to be much higher than usual is that if the transmission won't downshift, this can cause one of the solenoids to become stuck open or closed, preventing enough fluid from entering the vale body to select and pressurize the right gear.
Severe shifting delay – in order for an automatic transmission to quickly and accurately change gears when you need it to, the transmission solenoids need to be able to regulate the fluid pressure in order to quickly change to the appropriate gear that the driver chooses on the gear shift. If the transmission shift solenoid has too much or too little electrical current for a signal, then engaging the right gears might become difficult or completely delayed.
Transmission Solenoid Replacement and Cost
If you have realized that when scanning your vehicle’s computer with your diagnostic tool that there is a problem with the transmission, or you have noticed the symptoms of a bad transmission control solenoid, then you might have realized a transmission solenoid replacement is necessary for your car. Noticing what issue you have in your vehicle with the diagnostic tool and listening to the signs and symptoms of a bad transmission solenoid can cue you in to how much you might pay for the transmission solenoid cost.
Usually, replacing a transmission solenoid is a pretty straightforward task that won’t take very long when compared to more intricate and expensive repairs and replacements. If you bring your car to a mechanic’s auto body shop or a local chain store that specializes in cars, the whole process should not take any more than 2 hours. Repair shops on average charge around $60 to $100 per hour for labor, so it should not cost you more than $200-$250 for the labor cost of the solenoid.
However, the transmission solenoid costs can differ depending on what kind of car you have – like the make, model, and year of the vehicle. Some transmission solenoids can only be replaced properly by removing the valve body, which can take more time and enhance the overall labor cost of the procedure.
A replacement transmission solenoid cost is approximately between $15 and $100 for just the parts alone, with the labor average going to the high end of around $300 total. If you only need the transmission front seal replaced in order to fix the signs of a bad transmission solenoid, then you should expect to pay between $00 and $1,000 to change the transmission front seal.
If you need to replace the valve body, then it is best to change the entire valve body, since transmission gears operate on hydraulic pressure. The valve body assembly will be around $200 to $500, while the labor costs for this procedure will be around $500 or so. It will be at least $1,000 on the low end to get your car back running smoothly.
If you need to replace the transmission mount in your car, then this will be a higher transmission solenoid cost. The parts itself is usually around $50 to $200, and the labor is about the same price, costing about $400 on average to replace the mount cost.
The transmission solenoid replacement cost usually depends on the type of transmission, with the solenoid often placed inside of the pan with the oil connected to the valve body. Single transmission solenoid replacement costs around $15 to $100, while the replacement of the pack can cost about $50 to $300.