Experiencing shifting problems in your vehicle can be frustrating, and it’s natural to look for a straightforward solution. Often, the transmission solenoid control system comes under scrutiny when issues like slipping, flaring, or delayed shifts arise. Many car owners might assume that replacing or cleaning these solenoids will resolve their transmission woes. However, the reality is frequently more complex, especially in vehicles with higher mileage.
In many cases, focusing solely on the Solenoid Transmission Control system might be addressing a symptom rather than the root cause. Take the experience of a Honda Odyssey owner as an example. Faced with transmission control unit (TCU) codes and shifting irregularities, including converter lockup problems, the initial step was to investigate the solenoids. Upon inspection, the solenoids, specifically solenoid A and another solenoid (suspected to be C), were found to have their screens heavily clogged. These screens were not blocked by general dirt, but rather by a significant accumulation of worn clutch and plate material circulating within the transmission fluid.
Despite the blocked screens, tests confirmed that the solenoids themselves were still functioning correctly. This highlights a crucial point: solenoid failure might not be the primary issue. Instead, the problem often stems from excessive internal wear within the transmission. This wear generates debris that isn’t effectively captured by the magnetic drain plug or the internal filter. While some vehicles have an external transmission filter, it’s often not part of regular maintenance schedules, and accessibility can be challenging.
Over time, the build-up of this wear material overwhelms the solenoid screens, hindering their operation. This leads to the shifting problems initially observed – flares, delays, or complete shift failures. In the aforementioned example, even after cleaning the solenoid screens, the underlying issue of internal wear remained. The vehicle continued to operate for an additional 15,000 miles after the initial symptoms appeared, but eventual transmission failure was inevitable.
Frequent transmission fluid changes can offer temporary relief and are a vital preventative measure, especially for certain makes and models known for transmission issues, such as 2002-2008 Honda and Acura 5-speed automatics. Regular fluid changes, even more frequent than manufacturer recommendations, can help mitigate the accumulation of wear debris. However, once the damage threshold is reached, and significant internal wear has occurred, even diligent fluid changes may only delay, not prevent, eventual transmission overhaul.
Ultimately, while issues with solenoid transmission control might trigger initial concerns about shifting problems, it’s essential to consider the bigger picture. In many high-mileage vehicles, particularly those prone to internal transmission wear, cleaning or replacing solenoids might offer a temporary fix at best. The long-term solution often involves addressing the underlying wear and considering a transmission overhaul to restore optimal performance and reliability.
