Transmission Solenoid Valves
The 10 speed transmission could contain a maximum of nine individual solenoids - RPO dependent - installed in various bore locations on the lower control valve body assembly and internal transmission case. Eight of the nine solenoid valves are used to control pressure regulation and direction of transmission fluid. The one ON/OFF solenoid valve is only used to direct transmission fluid.
The normal operating current range for these solenoid valves is between 0 - 1.2 amps. If the TCM detects an electrical circuit malfunction or excessive current flow, the TCM will turn OFF the high side driver to that solenoid and set a DTC. The high side driver will reset when the circuit fault is corrected and the ignition switch is cycled.
There are three slightly different designed variations of the pressure regulating solenoid valves used on this transmission. They are; linear variable force solenoid, normally low variable force solenoid and normally high variable force solenoid.
Normally Low - Linear Solenoids
- A normally low linear solenoid actuator is an electro-mechanical device that converts electrical power into a mechanical pushing or pulling force or motion.
- When energized, the solenoid armature applies force to the face of a pressure regulating spool valve.
- The solenoid actuator applies minimum force with minimum current applied to the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid actuator applies maximum force with maximum current applied to the solenoid coil.
- Transmission control solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 are of the linear design.
Normally Low - Variable Force Solenoid
A normally low variable force solenoid is an electro-mechanically operated valve. The valve is controlled by an electric current through the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve varies the control pressure depending on the current applied to the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve control pressure is low with no or minimum current applied to the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve control pressure increases with increasing current applied to the solenoid coil.
- Transmission control solenoid valve 8 is a normally low solenoid.
Normally High - Variable Force Solenoid
- A normally high variable force solenoid is an electro-mechanically operated valve. The valve is controlled by an electric current through the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve varies the control pressure depending on the current applied to the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve control pressure is high with no or minimum current applied to the solenoid coil.
- The solenoid valve control pressure decreases with increasing current applied to solenoid coil.
- Transmission control solenoid valve 7 is a normally high solenoid.
ON/OFF Solenoid
- The ON/OFF solenoid valve is an electro-mechanically operated valve. The valve is controlled by an electric current through the solenoid coil.
- This solenoid is normally closed solenoid that is controlled ON (fully open) or OFF (fully closed).
- Transmission control solenoid valve 9 is an ON/OFF solenoid.
Solenoid Characterization
Transmission control solenoid valves 1 - 8 are pressure regulating valves. Each solenoid valve is tested after assembly to determine the output fluid pressure at certain electrical values, applied to the coil winding. This information is referred to as solenoid current/pressure data points. The solenoid valves are tested two ways, with an increasing and then a decreasing electrical current applied to the coil winding. The resultant current versus pressure data points are saved and assigned a file number. This file number is marked on the solenoid valve housing end or on the valve body itself. The solenoid performance data file is stored on the TIS web site. This data file is programmed and stored in the vehicle's TCM. Replacing any of the following components will require the TCM to be programmed with either the new or existing solenoid valve performance data, depending on what component is replaced.
- Transmission assembly - program the TCM with the new data file stored on the TIS web site for all pressure regulating solenoid valves.
- Lower control valve body assembly with solenoid valves - program the TCM with the new data file stored on the TIS web site for all pressure regulating solenoid valves.
- Transmission Control Module - program the TCM with the existing data file stored on the TIS web site for all pressure regulating solenoid valves.
- One or more solenoids - program the TCM with the new data file stored on the TIS web site for all pressure regulating solenoid valves that were replaced.