4r75 solenoid testing

[D60]

Ok the P0732 is back in my wife's '08 F150. It will shift to 2nd but you have to accelerate slightly past the normal shift point and then let off the accelerator. It never seems to slip, it's just reluctant to go to 2nd, and if you dip into it too hard after the shift it grabs 1st again when I don't think it should.

So, I half expected to find broken accumulator springs, but they're good.

I then turned my attention to the dual-solenoid pack, and was able to command it with my Otofix and get a reliable click from each.

I then pulled the harness/wire strap anyway (first time dealing with the 4R70 harness, kinda weird) and pulled the solenoid pack.

Continuity in the harness for C and D is good. I get 25 and 25.4 ohms for each solenoid to G

What struck me as kinda odd about the solenoid pack is that it sure seems to "rattle" if you turn it. It's remarkably similar to a good PCV valve. But not having another known good, I wasn't sure if this is normal.

Through random testing with my Power Probe, I found that if laid on its side the solenoids will always engage (makes sense) but will not always release. One won't open unless I turn it vertical again (despite blowing), and the other will open on its side if I blow through it.

Now, I'm testing them 90 degrees from how they'd hang in the transmission, but it sure doesn't seem normal to me that a solenoid would effectively rely on gravity for proper operation?

What about cornering aggressively? Side hilling? Steep descents or drops off-road?

So, I'm wondering if this is also normal, or should the solenoids pull closed and spring open in ANY orientation?

@clinebarger

 

[clinebarger]

The solenoids are supplied with roughly 70-90 PSI of pressure when operating, Try it with some regulated shop air of around 70 PSI.

 

[clinebarger]

Your description sounds like a slipping intermediate clutch! If the intermediate clutch can't handle any torque...The unit will mechanically be in 1st gear as the forward clutch is on in 1st & 2nd gear.

 

[Marcozi]

clinebarger to the rescue, as usual!

 

[D60]

Your description sounds like a slipping intermediate clutch! If the intermediate clutch can't handle any torque...The unit will mechanically be in 1st gear as the forward clutch is on in 1st & 2nd gear.

Excellent thank you!

 

[D60]

Ok so the rattling of the solenoids would appear normal. I ordered a Standard replacement which was unquestionably parts cannon deployment but I figured worth $50 while the pan was down.

Well, I ordered the wrong one, with the only apparent difference being the electrical connector -- the wrong one is sorta walled off while the correct one is flat with all three tangs exposed.

No big deal, parts cannon voided as the existing solenoid actually tests fine so I'm calling it good.

ANYWAY, the truck sealed its fate as it's had timing set codes (P0347 and P0349) for awhile now. I'm simply unwilling to put a timing set in it AND go through the transmission as I have other concerns about the vehicle like body rust and the mere fact it's a 3V.

Time to move on and get the wife something else.