Replace Transmission Solenoids?

[TJS]

I got a 2001 4Runner for my son. It has ~150k miles. Runs great. CEL came on a few months ago. Code reads a bad transmission solenoid. I was advised by a transmission shop that replacement of solenoid may not fix the problem. A friend changed the trany fluid and filter and checked the solenoids. They seem to all function. CEL remains on. The truck needs to have an emission test this fall and will not pass with CEL on. If I change the solenoids and clear the code, what are my chances this will correct the problem? Thanks for the help!

 

[Brian757]

I got a 2001 4Runner for my son. It has ~150k miles. Runs great. CEL came on a few months ago. Code reads a bad transmission solenoid. I was advised by a transmission shop that replacement of solenoid may not fix the problem. A friend changed the trany fluid and filter and checked the solenoids. They seem to all function. CEL remains on. The truck needs to have an emission test this fall and will not pass with CEL on. If I change the solenoids and clear the code, what are my chances this will correct the problem? Thanks for the help!

Your best bet is to take it to a dealership. They have the proper diagnostic equipment to accurately tell you what the problem will be.

This also beats throwing money at a problem on the truck. It only bruises the wallet.

General mechanics shops have quality diagnostic equipment but are vague to a certain point. That's why they told you that it might not fix it.

You could always take it to a dealer and pay the diagnostic fee, have them tell you what it is, and take it home and fix it yourself. Can't tell you how many times I've done that. And they are always 100% correct.

Good luck!

 

[TJS]

Thanks for the advice. Toyota service guy said the same thing "can't be sure the solenoid reading was not triggered by a stuck valve or something else". So risk is that you spend a couple hundred to replace solenoids only to find out that is issue is not resolved.