Solenoid C replacement?

[AyeJaye]

I'll make you guys a deal. If someone can give me a decent set of instructions as to what I have to remove to get to the C Solenoid and replace it, I'll take a lot of nice, clear pictures and type up a semi-official How To for the site. Tried searching, just found a lot of people asking questions and some vague descriptions. I realize it's somewhere towards the rear of the tranny, but beyond that I'm lost.

[Green1995SVX]

Id like to see a write-up too!

[NiftySVX]

This is not a difficult repair. I've done it about 60043586 times. You'll need:

Duty C

Seperator plate. You don't have to replace this I don't think but it's like a couple dollars and sometimes the gaskets are stuck to it.

extn housing gasket

liquid gasket for trans case (I like the toyota kind, available at any toyota dealership, ask for "red FIPG" optional but recommended.

gasket for seperator plate (i think there are 2), one on each side of the separator plate.

Remove the central exhaust under the extension housing of the trans.

Remove the driveshaft.

Remove the crossmember and support the rear of the trans

Remove the speed sensor no. 2, or disconnect it if your trans has the old style 2 piece wiring harness.

Remove the bolts from the extension housing, while holding it. DO NOT ALLOW IT TO FALL OFF OR YOU WILL RIP THE HARNESS OUT OF THE TRANS.

while holding it, disconnect the connector from the solenoid.

Replace the solenoid in the housing.

Assy. is in the reverse order of removal.

I like to coat the bolts for the extension housing with the FIPG (formed in place gasket) (aka silicone, or RTV gasket) because alot of these trans with high mileage have had this repair before, although I do not believe the r/m instructs to do so. TORQUE THESE BOLTS. you don't want to helicoil one of these, trust.

*****IMPORTANT NOTE*****

You need to check the actual extension housing itself and see if there are grooves in it where the teflon sealing rings ride for the transfer clutch. If there are grooves that catch a fingernail (and if you've got a 92 or 93 original trans there will be, this was one of the updates to the unit) you should replace the extension housing assy and the sealing rings with the new updated parts. If you don't you may have sluggish apply and reduced torque to the rear wheels at times.

That's from memory, and I haven't done one in a couple years but I'm pretty sure you'll get it done using that.

[Green1995SVX]

Thanks, Nate!

[AyeJaye]

Awesome!! Thanks for the help I wonder... does AWD sell a kit for this repair...?

[Maxo]

When my awd was having issues I had the extension housing off 4+ times diagnosing and fixing.
Just my solenoid replacement required the following:
1 31942AA090 VALVE AY TRANSFER CL @ $78.87/ea
2 31954AA071 GASKET TRANSFER VALV @ $2.32/ea
1 31337AA120 GASKET TRANS CASE RE @ $3.73/ea

Using rtv on the transfer case is probably quicker and easier than the gasket listed above but I'm glad I didn't use it considering I had it apart again the next week. After all the effort it still wouldn't work properly until I replaced the tcu.

[rallyingrob]

just wondering....would the gaskets be the same part# for a 98 trans?

hell, its been in long enuff now that i cant remember what it came out of !

4.44 gearing....forester maybe? oh wait...was it a legacy gt?

for that matter, would the solenoid be the same?

i have at my disposal a good solenoid to fit a 92 svx...(trans was rebuilt in 2003)
as well as a 90(?) legacy wagon 4eat with good solenoid...


would either of these used pieces bolt right in?

or is there good reason to buy a new one to install?

since these are working properly, can i just use one of them?

[CANDU238]

Does anyone have a part number for a 1994 C solenoid?
What other part failure would cause loss of AWD? I really need to get this done before the snow comes.

[ensteele]

If you get me the ;ictures and let me know the order, I will edit it and get it on a How-To Doc.

[CANDU238]

Well ..... I'm in the middle of it all. Everthing is off except for the rear transfer case which won't budge. All the bolts are out but it won't move.
I can see two alignment dowels, but that's it.
Any help fast.

[CANDU238]

Got it off. Long sharp screwdriver and a hammer.
But it a waist. The plate that that's part of the clutch plates is toasted, the one that contacts the main trarry gear that is. So I'm not going to bother changing the C solenoid. Just hope to get it back together so I can get to work in the morning.
Dang!

[laserx]

My son finally did mine last week, took him a couple of hours, but then again he is a mechanic. No more blinking transmission temp light, really don't notice any difference in the drive, just in time for the first snowfall.