How to test a solenoid. Battery voltage question. - Toyota 4Runner Forum

fourfive · 12-07-2019, 01:17 PM

I'm wanting to test a transmission solenoid. The fsm says to apply battery voltage. My question is does it matter if I use a 9v battery, 12v car battery or a portable jump starter?

I've used a 9v battery to test a charcoal canister valve in the past because that's what I saw on a youtube video & it seemed to work but thinking about it now could using the incorrect voltage give inaccurate results?

Dieselchessy · 12-07-2019, 02:09 PM

Per your other thread I believe your testing for an intermittent failure to actuate. I wouldn’t be surprised if it passes your tests, but starving it of voltage, and more importantly current, may give false readings.
9v batteries are low current compared to a car battery, but I have no idea the solenoids current demands. The small wires to it would imply they are low.

brillo_76 · 12-07-2019, 02:33 PM

Battery voltage would be car battery on fully charged jump box

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brillo_76 · 12-07-2019, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

Battery voltage would be car battery on fully charged jump box

12v to 14v is battery voltage.
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LittleCaesar · 12-07-2019, 02:59 PM

You should be able to use your Metabo battery, barring you know what is positive and negative. I have found that to test solenoids, motors that are 12v, it is good to use a source that is at least 12V, or close to it.

I think a whole solenoid kit for the A340s is less than $100.

Keep us posted.

fourfive · 12-07-2019, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brillo_76

Battery voltage would be car battery on fully charged jump box

Did you mean I can use a car battery or fully charged jump box?

fourfive · 12-07-2019, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleCaesar

You should be able to use your Metabo battery, barring you know what is positive and negative. I have found that to test solenoids, motors that are 12v, it is good to use a source that is at least 12V, or close to it.

I think a whole solenoid kit for the A340s is less than $100.

Keep us posted.

Interesting, I'll take a look at my metabo battery to see if it has the + & - labeled. The price on the solenoid kits makes it tempting but I've usually had bad luck with non oem electrical parts.

brillo_76 · 12-07-2019, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourfive

Did you mean I can use a car battery or fully charged jump box?

Yes.

Battery voltage is 12v thru 14v. Mostly a fully charged lead acid is 13.8v. That is why I suggested a car battery or fully charged jumped box.

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jbtvt · 12-07-2019, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourfive

Interesting, I'll take a look at my metabo battery to see if it has the + & - labeled. The price on the solenoid kits makes it tempting but I've usually had bad luck with non oem electrical parts.

What' the Metabo battery for? A 12v tool? Love their 18v stuff.

You should definitely use 12v though. I've tried several circuits in the past that ended up not working because my 12v relay wasn't getting enough current to activate, and relay/solenoid both work on same principle. Whenever I'm testing I use jumper cables on battery with alligator clips on other end to pins/terminals/etc.

Wedgy · 12-07-2019, 07:41 PM

I am still messing with my no start problem and am getting slightly less than battery voltage to the starter relay(pin 1, pin 2 is ground) and it won't activate so you may want to test with battery voltage or get bogus results and more work. The relay is good as I have swapped it back and forth with another and both relays work in that vehicle. Good luck !

fourfive · 12-07-2019, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbtvt

What' the Metabo battery for? A 12v tool? Love their 18v stuff.

You should definitely use 12v though. I've tried several circuits in the past that ended up not working because my 12v relay wasn't getting enough current to activate, and relay/solenoid both work on same principle. Whenever I'm testing I use jumper cables on battery with alligator clips on other end to pins/terminals/etc.

It's actually an 18v so that probably wouldn't work but I do have a few milwaukee m12 batteries. I agree their 18v tools are impressive. Unfortunately I won't be testing the solenoids because I dropped the pan & saw big metal shavings on the magnet.

4runner pic to decorate this thread.

LittleCaesar · 12-08-2019, 12:42 AM

I saw those shavings. Not good though I would say you may with a new solenoid and clean ATF get another five to ten out of it if needed.

I would be willing to wager that the solenoid, despite its country of origin, would probably work fine.

A voltmeter will take the guesswork of the battery connectors. You could use the M12 battery as well.

Keep us posted and good luck.

LittleCaesar · 12-08-2019, 12:46 AM

I would also with the new/ reman tranny recommend installing a Magefine tranny filter if you haven’t done such already.

fourfive · 12-08-2019, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleCaesar

I would also with the new/ reman tranny recommend installing a Magefine tranny filter if you haven’t done such already.

I had the older plastic magnefine filter on for a few years. I would put on a new one yearly but thought they were discontinued because I didn't see them for sale anymore. I later realized they just came out with a newer version.

LittleCaesar · 12-08-2019, 05:04 PM

They went back with using an aluminum housing, which shouldn’t leak at the connections, which the plastic ones had a tendency to do. A little more $$$ in product development goes a long way.

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