Duty Sol A?
 

I have a 4.44 tranny in my svx and have had it for a few months now. Every few starts the power light blinks and i get code 11 which is the Duty Solenoid A. More so when the car is cold the tranny likes to hesitate when im accelerating. It doesent seem like it is on the way out or anything but like it isnt getting the full power. When warm, this problem doesent happen as much but I can still feel it through the gears while accelerating. Im not exactly sure what solenoid A does, but would it casue the symptoms im having. Sometimes it seems to work great but more than less I can definitley feel the hesitation.

Secondly. Has anyone else had a problem with the E brake light on when cold . I make sure the brake is completley down and sometimes it goes away after warm but sure enough every morning i start the car it comes on for a while. sometimes it comes on after driving for a minute and then goes away after its warm and i shut the engine off and back on. Any way these problems are related. Any help appreciated Thanks!!

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

The A solenoid controls transmission line pressure. If it is faulty and is not closing properly, you will have abnormally low line pressure. If it sticking closed, you will have abnormally high pressure.

P.S. A wiring or connector fault would also cause the problem and result in a code.

There will be no relationship between the two problems you describe. The brake problem will most likely be caused by the switch operated by the brake pedal; i.e. being sticky, out of adjustment or faulty, on an intermittent basis.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Thanks Trev. Would you happen to have a pic of the resistor. Im told its behing the battery but im not really sure what im looking for. Also when i test with a voltmeter do i have the car running. Im just not very good with electrical anything.
Thanks

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Please remove your brake master cylinder cap, and reposition the diaphram.
I believe its pushing down on the brake fluid level switch.;)

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Thanks SVXfiles, ill do that today and see if that helps.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

The resistor is enclosed in an oblong small metal enclosure, bolted to the side of the engine compartment, behind the battery. Two wires are attached via a plug/socket connector. You can not miss it.

It should measure between 9 and 15 ohms and is usually 12 ohms. P.S. With the plug disconnected.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

You could easily check the resistance at connector T2 for the duty A solenoid, If resistance is either 0 or infinite than there is your problem. I think the solenoid winding is around 10 or 20 ohms if I recall correctly. That the only way the computer is going to detect and display that code, it sees an open or short circuit. It does not have the ability to detect a mechanically stuck plunger. Usually, a resistor fault will display a different code than 11 but I'm not saying it isn't the cause, and its easy to check anyway. I've recently been through quite a lot of experimentation with this circuit and it's pretty simple. If someone has been inside your transmission they could have left the ground loose that grounds the solenoid pack, this might cause an intermittent error code. Good luck, you don't want a duty A failure because it can easily take out a brand new transmission in a few hundred miles.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

It should also be noted that you cannot measure the resistance of an enegrized circuit as you will not only have an innacurate reading but you will damage the meter.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Thanks for all the input. So it may be wise to let my svx sit and use my truck for work until i can get it taken care of then.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

In my opinion yes. According to the repair manual the solenoid should default to a position which will allow full line pressure, which would have the effect of making the shifts very firm, but if the solenoid is not functioning properly for whatever reason and line pressure is allowed to be lower than it should be, there could be a situation in which the clutches or the band were allowed to slip due to lack of holding force, which is bad. I have had this experience first hand, and it killed my transmission in very short order. Go try and check all the measurements everyone has suggested including the measurement across the transmission connector of the A solenoid and the 12 ohm resistor and let us know what you find, replacement of the solenoid pack is not difficult and can be done at a reasonable cost should it be the root cause.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Exactly why I inserted my instruction.:p Why rub it in?:confused::lol:

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

Thanks guys. I will have my electrician friend go over everythig for me. Just another ? My power light only blinks on certain starts, it doesent occur on every startup and there doesent seem to be a pattern, is this normal or does it just mean my problem is intermittent.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

This could indicate that there is an intermittent fault. However in this event it should be retained in, and be available from memory. Run a diagnostic check and observe the result. ;)

If nothing turns up, this would indicate a possible fault within the diagnostic system.

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

The code still reads when i run the diagnostic test. It comes up code 11 in memory and current. Ive started my car prolly about 10 times today with no flashing tho...I just hope it doesent blow up on me :cool:

Re: Duty Sol A?
 

I gather you can cancel the code. If so, everything indicates an intermittent fault, as you suspected.