2004 ford explorer pressure control solenoid b location

What Does a Transmission Shift Solenoid Do?

The role of a transmission shift solenoid is to control the flow of transmission fluid. The transmission control module (TCM) sends an electrical signal telling the shift solenoid when to transfer fluid into and out of the transmission and at what rate. You should know that the shift solenoid’s role varies depending on whether it is in a manual, CVT, or manual transmission.

How a Shift Solenoid Works in an Automatic Transmission

In vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission the shift solenoid shifts the vehicle’s gears for you. Your car’s computer, specifically the transmission control unit, takes information from the engine, speed sensors, and other parts of your car determining the best time to shift gears for power, fuel efficiency, and similar aspects of operation. When the control unit determines that the transmission should be shifted, it sends power or a ground to open the shift solenoid so that transmission fluid can flow into the valve body. This causes the vehicle’s torque converter to change hydraulic pressure enough to shift gears. But because these are electro-mechanical parts, they can fail, making it impossible for your car to shift between gears.

Shift Solenoid Repair and Replacement Cost

The overall cost to replace the shift solenoid in an automatic transmission ranges from $200 to $500 for a single solenoid. If the damage requires you to replace the entire solenoid pack the cost increases to between $250 and $700. Once your mechanic has the part, it should take between 2.5 and 5 hours to replace the solenoid pack and marginally less time to replace a single solenoid.

Will a Bad Shift Solenoid Throw a Code?

Your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system will throw code P0750 indicating a shift solenoid problem, P0753 for an electrical shift solenoid A fault, P0758 error code indicating an electrical problem with shift solenoid B, and P0977 if there’s a problem with shift solenoid B’s control circuit. 

Shift solenoids can be somewhat expensive to replace, but not nearly as much as the entire transmission. Ignoring a warning light or code being thrown by a faulty transmission shift solenoid can lead to serious problems, such as running your vehicle in the wrong gear for your speed and conditions. This can then lead to your transmission overheating and breaking down.

The easiest way to tell is by paying attention to your dashboard warning lights, typically a Check Engine light or Transmission warning light. You may also notice that your vehicle has shifting delays or that it refuses to shift into higher gears altogether. These issues can also be caused by faulty wiring or shorts in your vehicle’s electrical system.

In some situations, a transmission fluid replacement or transmission flush can free up a shift solenoid that has become stuck, helping you avoid higher repair costs. Transmission torque converter replacement could also be an option, depending on what exact parts are malfunctioning. Though it can be tempting to try to repair a bad shift solenoid at home, it’s recommended that you use an experienced shop to diagnose and repair the issue. Why? If the problem is in the wiring, simply replacing the shift solenoid will not fix the problem. In most situations, you’ll need to remove the transmission fluid pan to reach the solenoid, and in some vehicles, you’ll need to replace the entire solenoid pack to fix the problem. You’ll also need to replace the transmission filter and fluid at the same time.

Signs of a Bad Transmission Shift Solenoid

  • Delay shifting upon acceleration and deceleration
  • Your transmission is stuck in neutral
  • Rough shifting
  • Engine revs loudly even when you apply the brakes
  • Your transmission cannot downshift and the engine is loud

If you’re concerned that recent loss of power in your vehicle may be related to issues with your shift solenoids or your transmission in general, it’s important to have the problem investigated quickly before more damage can take place. Proper diagnosis is especially important if the check engine light is on.

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P0775 code definition

The P0775 code identifies a problem with a solenoid located within an automatic transmission.

The P0775 code is associated with the P0776, P0777, P0778, and P0779 codes.

What the P0775 code means

The P0775 code is the OBD-II generic code for insufficient fluid pressure within a solenoid operating the automatic transmission. When the P0775 code is indicated, then that means that a hydraulic solenoid in the transmission is not experiencing the proper amount of pressure from the hydraulic fluid. These solenoids are responsible for moving the transmission into gear and controlling the torque converter. Insufficient fluid pressure means that the solenoids may not be able to operate correctly.

What causes the P0775 code?

The insufficient solenoid pressure code may have several causes:

  • Leaks or blockages in fluid pathways within the transmission
  • Malfunctioning electronic pressure control solenoid
  • Low or dirty transmission fluid
  • Electrical problem with transmission control module
  • Electrical problem with powertrain control module
  • Mechanical issue within the transmission

What are the symptoms of the P0775 code?

The P0775 code has most directly to do with the transmission. Because of this, symptoms that coincide with the P0775 code involve transmission performance. In some vehicles, this code will cause the transmission to go into “limp” mode, slowing and reducing transmission function. Shifting will become rougher and less regular. The transmission will likely slip gears as well, and stands a higher chance of overheating. All of this will likely reduce fuel economy noticeably.

In some applications, this code must persist for a while before the Check Engine Light will illuminate on the dashboard.

How does a mechanic diagnose the P0775 code?

Before doing any significant diagnostic work, the technician will check the transmission fluid levels while also checking the fluid quality. If there is low or dirty fluid in the transmission, it is likely the cause of the P0775 code.

After the fluid is checked, a certified technician will use an OBD-II scanner to view the trouble code in real-time to see when it was first indicated. Then the code will be reset before the technician takes the vehicle for a test drive. If the code appears again during the course of the test drive, then it will confirm that the original code was not the result of an electrical short or issue that occurs intermittently.

Once the code appears again, the wiring and circuitry around the transmission control module and the powertrain control module will be inspected for damage or disconnections. The circuitry will then be tested by a technician with a voltmeter.

Common mistakes when diagnosing the P0775 code

Parts like the high pressure pump, electronic pressure control solenoid, and the wiring harness are often replaced unnecessarily when this error code appears. Often, the problem arises due to poor quality or insufficient quality regarding the transmission fluid. Small, intermittent electrical issues can also cause this code to appear, so it is wise to do a full diagnosis of the issue when the P0775 code appears.

How serious is the P0775 code?

The P0775 code has the potential to significantly hinder vehicle performance via the transmission. If the transmission enters “limp” mode or if the issues within the transmission prevent proper operation, then the fuel economy and overall performance will suffer. For these reasons, the P0775 code is serious enough that it should be diagnosed immediately.

What repairs can fix the P0775 code?

The most common repairs to address the P0775 are as follows:

  • Repair or replace damaged wiring harness
  • Repair or replace damaged or corroded circuitry
  • Rebuild or replace transmission
  • Replace or add transmission fluid
  • Repair or replace high pressure pump
  • Repair or replace electronic pressure control solenoid

Codes for the torque converter clutch, shift solenoid, gear ratios, and transmission slippage often accompany the P0775 code. The amount of pressure that is needed within the solenoids controlling the transmission is determined by throttle position, engine speed, and several other metrics that are calculated together to determine the the correct gear and amount of torque converter lockup.

Need help with a P0775 code?

YourMechanic offers certified mobile mechanics who will come to your home or office to diagnose and repair your vehicle. Get a quote and book an appointment online or speak to a service advisor at 1-800-701-6230.

Check Engine Light

trouble codes

P0775

Where is shift solenoid B located?

The Transmission shift solenoids are located inside the valve body of your automatic transmission. They are integrated into the valve body, and on some car models, you can see them without removing the valve body, while on others, you have to remove the valve body to reach them.

Where is the transmission pressure control solenoid located?

In most cases, solenoids are located inside of the oil pan, connected to the valve body. Depending on what you drive, the technician may be able to replace just the failed shift solenoid.

What is a pressure control solenoid B?

The pressure control solenoid is a spring-loaded plunger device that regulates hydraulic fluid pressure inside the transmission. Pressure control solenoids are responsible for controlling the flow of transmission fluid, which is important for an automatic transmission to work properly.

What is a solenoid B in a transmission?

What Does a Transmission Shift Solenoid Do? The role of a transmission shift solenoid is to control the flow of transmission fluid. The transmission control module (TCM) sends an electrical signal telling the shift solenoid when to transfer fluid into and out of the transmission and at what rate.