Where is the transmission shift solenoid located

When your 4l60e starts to act up and not shift correctly, one very likely culprit is the shift solenoids.  There are 2 shift solenoids in a 4l60e (1-2 and 2-3), and both control up and downshifts with fluid passing through them when commanded to do so by the computer. 

However, when they go bad, you will notice very quickly.  Your transmission will display a variety of symptoms, but sometimes these issues can be confused by other common 4l60e issues.

Luckily, it is pretty straight forward testing and replacing (if need be) 4l60e shift solenoids.  In addition to that, if you discover the shift solenoids are the culprit of your issues, they are inexpensive to purchase and repair yourself if you have the skills and understanding of how to do so.

Symptoms Of Bad 4l60e Shift Solenoids

When assessing a shift solenoid issue, there can be a number of things to consider.  While 4l60e shift solenoids do go bad, it’s not a common occurrence. Common issues that may cause you to believe the 1-2 or 2-3 shift solenoids are failing are a bad accumulator, stuck shift valve, just to name a few. The best way to make sure that your shift solenoids are the root cause is to test them.

Common shift solenoid failure or symptoms of a bad shift solenoid include:

• Failure To Down Shift – If a shift solenoid isn’t downshifting from one gear to another, you may be facing an issue of a shift solenoid being stuck open or closed. When the computer commands a downshift, fluid is routed through the solenoids, so if a solenoid is stuck, it is not able to effectively move transmission fluid which results in the transmission staying in the same gear.

• Transmission Won’t Shift Out Of Neutral – When a shift solenoid fails, the transmission won’t be able to shift into any gear. This gives the infamous “6 neutrals” that the 4l60e sometimes gets.

• Delayed or Inconsistent Shifts – If your shift solenoids are failing, you may quickly notice that the transmission will start to  shift in a very inconsistent and delayed manner.  Another thing that might happen is that the transmission will try to hunt or find the correct gear to be in.  The computer is telling the transmission to do one thing, but mechanically it’s doing its own thing in regards to gear selection.

4l60e Shift Solenoid Locations

On a 4l60e, the shift solenoids are located on the rearward end of the transmission against where the pan bolts to the case.  The image below shows how easily accessible the shift solenoids are once the pan and filter are removed. If you need to replace your shift solenoids, they are a pretty straightforward piece to remove and install.

How To Test Shift Solenoid On A 4l60e

One very easy way to test your shift solenoids is actually with a simple 9v battery to see if the solenoids are being activated. When using this method you’ll need a 9v battery and a pair of test leads.

When testing your shift solenoids, the first step is to remove the plugs going into the solenoids from the harness.  These are simple plugs that have a tab that is easily released.  Sometimes these plugs may be stuck, so wiggle them a little to get them free.

Next, take your test leads and connect them to the backside of the solenoid where the electrical prongs are.  FYI, since this is a solenoid, it doesn’t matter which wire goes where.  After you have attached your test leads, simply connect them to the 9v battery one at a time. If the solenoid works, you’ll hear a clicking sound when you go to attach the 2nd wire to the battery. Simply repeat this process for the other solenoid to verify both are working or not.

Another way to test your shift solenoids is to check the ohms of resistance with a multimeter.

This video does a great job of showing how to easily test 4l60e shift solenoids:

There is more than one shift solenoid on the transmission. They are all located under the cover on the transmission and can be replaced as a unit but before you do that, why do you think one of them is the problem? A code? Poor shifting? They say you should replace the valve body and shift solenoids all at once here is the location. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to enlarge)

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Thursday, April 6th, 2017 AT 5:34 AM

Well when I had bought the car the man had it checked thoroughly with paper work. And recently I went to get the shift solenoid but that day and say prior my car would actually stall in the middle of driving it. So I had bought the rear and front crank shaft cam. However, I just needed the front. Rear sort of made worse with the jerking. Which leads me back to the solenoid. While driving though especially freeway mph and I am having to slow down it jerks and than when I am putting car into drive, almost as if it is skipping first and auto goes to second, the rpm go a little wild. And only does while in automatic. Being I can drive as manual as well, if driving in manual though, the cars perfect.

Thursday, April 6th, 2017 AT 8:13 AM

Okay, you have the common Nissan trans problems. The best solution I have seen for this is rebuilt valve body you can find one by searching ebay.

Thursday, April 6th, 2017 AT 11:14 AM

NYOIKE

• MEMBER
• 2000 NISSAN MAXIMA
• 6 CYL
• 2WD
• AUTOMATIC
• 153,000 MILES

I have a 2000 maxima, the car would not shift to 4th gear and the overdrive is not working. I replaced the transmission with a 39,000 transmission from an accident car and I am still getting the same code saying the transmission solenoid is faulty. Is there another thing I should check before I send the transmission back to the junkyard. Note the other gears shift okay.

Monday, May 18th, 2020 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)

The transmission solenoid itself is what allows an automatic to shift into the overdrive gear it would be a lot cheaper just to change this first.

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Monday, May 18th, 2020 AT 2:22 PM (Merged)

Where is my shift solenoid located?

Can I replace transmission solenoid myself?

What are the symptoms of a transmission solenoid going out?

How much does it cost to replace a shift solenoid?