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[cannonfodder]

Hi folks, just got my car plugged in... and the unexplainable auto gearbox warning thing i've been having of late apparently is caused by 2/3rd switch solenoid, open circuit. Theres another code to, to do with the atf fluid temp sensor.  Anyway, would be very grateful if anyone could tell me  which solenoid we're talking about, are they expensive, difficult to fit, best left to an expert? can see some illustrations in haynes, but doesnt seem to explain which 1 is the offending item!
many thanks in advance
John

[Big_Roger]

Hi,
I haven't had to change any solenoids etc on my Omega, but I used to have a Senator on which I had to change the lock up clutch solenoid twice.
Before you get too far, I would check the wiring and any plug in connectors to the gearbox, then the wiring in the sumps, although high temp insulation, it gets brittle. Try checking  the resistance across the coils. This isn't foolproof, as the dodgy coil I was looking for only failed when the oil got hot.

As far as I know, all the solenoids are in the sumps, i can't identify any for you, but there arn't that many, I would get the replacement solenoid, and then find one that looks like it in your gearbox and change it.
None of it is rocket science, but make sure you keep everything clean, and don't use fluffy rags for wiping things. Make sure you follow the info on here for re filling the box.

Roger

[sassanach]

2-3 solenoid is located in the rear sump. there are two side by side, the one you want is the one nearest the centre of the g-box (viewed lengthways).the temp sensor is part of the internal wiring of the gearbox.i would be inclined to drop the rear sump and check the integrity of the wiring first before i started buying solenoids at £50 each.

[cannonfodder]

thanks guys  
guess im back under t car again next weekend!   :-/  

[cannonfodder]

Does anyone know if the tech II removes the fault codes when diagnosing? the reason I ask, and I cant make up my mind whether its a complete co-incidence or not, is that the problem seems to have dissappeared since i had it plugged in, drives A1 now. Was due to get it fixed this coming weekend... weird  
thanks in advance
john

[TheBoy]

Does anyone know if the tech II removes the fault codes when diagnosing? the reason I ask, and I cant make up my mind whether its a complete co-incidence or not, is that the problem seems to have dissappeared since i had it plugged in, drives A1 now. Was due to get it fixed this coming weekend... weird  
thanks in advance
john

It doesn't automatically, but obviously the technician can choose to...

[Kevin Wood]

Might be worth getting hold of a wiring diagram and see what pins on the multi-way connector on the outside of the box the solenoid connects to, and buzz it out back to the ECU connector, then check the resistance looking into the gearbox.

If the resistance into the gearbox is high (more than 100 ohms at a guess), drop the sump and check the resistance directly across the solenoid's pins and check the internal gearbox wiring from solenoid to the outside world.

Kevin

[JezInBrum]

John, my gearbox works normally untiul it is hot. then when in D it will not pull off without lots of revs. I have to use 1,2 through to 3 then D although it wont go above 3rd. Whn parked up & I manually shify gears (door open) Wen shifting between 3 & 2 there is a hyreaulic sound hiss. Same happens when cycling bach up t N. The people who got coded with Tech 2 Said solenoid c open circuit which sounds identicle to your fault. Their prognosis is most likey ECu or a split wire. I have managed to locate an ECu for a tenner. Will try that as its cleaner to do than a box. But I personally think it maye be once the oil gets hot in the box that is causing an internal prob inside rather that electrical. I am no expert but if the noise islike mine i would say its inside the box.

[andyc]

have the same problem on my cavalier at the moment. There is a five page protcol list on TIS that goes through all the terminals etc before you get to the solenoid.

parts you need would be:

main Sump gasket 96014234 £8.98
Drain washer 11023582 £0.12
Transmission filter 96015432 £50.66
Solenoid 96042665 £41.31 (may be marked MV2)

Cheers Andy

[Kevin Wood]

.. and it's a good idea to change the fluid and filter every 60k or so anyway, so most of the above is preventative maintenance.

If the problem only occurs when hot, 99% chance of it being the solenoid, IMHO, as that is sublect to a wide temperature range. ECU sounds unlikely. If it only happens when hot, it's less likely that you'll find a fault with a multimeter when cold though.

There's a chap in the back of Straight 6 news (Autobahnstormers) who sells the filters and gaskets a good bit cheaper than VX.


Kevin

[cannonfodder]

many thanks guys  

[JezInBrum]

As advised by the plug in merchant changed the ECU, unsurprisingly no difference. There is a gearbox place across town that deals mainly in auto's may get them to look at it, even just for some advice. Changing oil & filter was a job & a half so a going through all that again to get to a solenoid will be last measures before a box change seems likely.
Only consolation was I got ECU very cheap.