Circuit Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Toyota RAV4, 2002 Toyota RAV4, 2002 Toyota Highlander, 2001 Toyota RAV4, and 2001 Toyota Highlander. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Throttle pressure applied to primary regulator valve, which modulates line pressure, causes shift solenoid SLT to precisely and minutely modulate and generate line pressure according to accelerator pedal effort, or engine power output detected. This reduces line pressure and provides smooth transaxle shifts. Upon receiving throttle valve opening angle signal, ECM controls line pressure by sending a predetermined duty cycle to shift solenoid SLT, modulating line pressure and generating throttle pressure. Duty cycle is ratio of period of continuity in one cycle. Shift solenoid SLT is located on transaxle valve body. See Figure. DTC will set if voltage at ECM terminal (SLT-) is zero volts or 12 volts for one second or more. Possible causes are:

Open or short in shift solenoid SLT circuit.
Shift solenoid SLT malfunction.
ECM malfunction.