How-To replace Shift Solenoids, For 5sfe Automatic Trans - also covers Filter/ATF Options

[trdproven]

Ok, first off, all of you are probably saying its about time TRDPROVEN contributed to this site. I just thought this pretty useful information.

With my manual transmissions swap completed. I took the opportunity not just to do this how-to replace auto trans solenoid, filter, and change ATF, but also to take parts from my celica auto trans and put it on my 92 camry which had the same trans and motor 5sfe. To just get things straight, I am unclear if this is the same as a 7afe (which i think it is different since it is a different trans but same concept) but this is in regards to a 5sfe celica tranny. if you have OBD1 you can do a error check test jumping E1 and T1 On board diagnostics harness located under your hood next to your driver side firewall. If you begin to see your O/D lights begin to blink as you put it on ACC and you get either 62 (No. 1 solenoid short or open) or 63 (No. 2 solenoid short or open). Reason why you would have to perform this is because your O/D light blinks when driving and you notice a power loss, acceleration loss, or it won't downshift going up a hill or when stomping on your gas. It feels like you've lost second gear. I am not covering how to test the resistance on the wires from your solenoid wires to your tranny harness or to your ECU, or even testing the ECU. This writeup was strictly done because I believed that the tranny trouble codes that showed up when jumping the OBD, was considered true to me or accurate.

** Sorry the trans illustrated in the picture is not on the car but actually upside down becuase it was originally from my celica. I just used it for illustration purposes when I was scavenging it for my 92 camry.

LET'S BEGIN

1. jack up the car

2. remove drain bolt (10mm hex)
3. drain ATF
4. Once drained, begin removing 10mm pan bolts. I'd advise using a socket wrench
first to loosen and then use a socket screwdriver to remove bolts and same thing
for putting them back on. Then again use your socket wrench to tighten. You'll see
what I mean.
5. I recommend removing the ones facing towards the rear of the car first so
that you can tilt the pan and let the ATF drain into your drain pain. Watch out as
you get to your last bolts, the pan might fall on you or get ATF in your eyes.
6. remove pan and clean off left over gasket using a gasket scraper, do not
sand or use a screw driver, you will damage the rim and you will create leaks.

7. remove the filter bolts as illustrated, three altogether.
8. do not forget to unhook the solenoid no. 2 wire on the filter.

9. change out your solenoids no. 1 and no. 2 are most common needing
replacement as your car gets older and as you dont change ATF as often as
metal particles can clog them. As illustrated. They just come out after you
remove the bolts. You can get them from toyotaworld.com or
1sttoyotaparts.com.
10. secure all your bolts on the solenoids and the filter. Make sure you use
brand new solenoids and new filter.
11. replace with new gasket.
12. Make sure they align as you hold them up. sealant sometimes is used to
hold them in place but I just used electrical tape to hold the corners in
place and aligned and then remove it as I got the bolts in.
13. as you start putting the tranny pan bolts back make sure you work your way
beginning inwards and outwards to make sure you get even tightening and
alignment. I did them working my way from the inner bolts and crossing
tightening them like how you do lug nuts. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN IT LIKE THEY
ARE LUG NUTS, they are torque specs but I just used my feel and instincts.
14. tighten back your drain bolt.
15. begin putting ATF dexron 3 or newer is recommended where your trans dip stick hole is.
16. Manual states a refill is just 2.5 quarts. What I did was get close to
that and warm up my car or drive it a bit until it gets hot enough and then
begin filling little by little to get it in between the hot notches on your
tran dip stick.
17. I am not covering a dry fill on this how-to just a refill. Dry fill takes
somewhere around 5 quarts or something like that.
18. Once you've gotten it in between the notches, reset your error codes by
removing the negative terminal on your battery for a few minutes. you can also
remove i think the ECU or EFI fuses I forgot which ones.
19. Thats it, test drive your car.
20. Don't forget to clean up after yourself.


** I am not responsible for how you execute my instructions. This is just a

guide and you should use your own knowledge, experience, or common sense to

figure out the rest.

I will also update or make changes to these or if i forgot something as I keep reading it or as input comes in on this thread. Just to let you know, the solenoid change was successful, my camry can shift now.

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This post has been edited by trdproven: Feb 3, 2010 - 2:30 AM

[trdproven]

Wow, I'm surprised this is not a sticky, this is pretty important information for automatic transmission and also since our cars' transmission is already old and I know people don't change their ATF every 20000-30000 miles.

[Spider77]

Wow, I'm surprised this is not a sticky, this is pretty important information for automatic transmission and also since our cars' transmission is already old and I know people don't change their ATF every 20000-30000 miles.

Im sure it will get there. Im pretty good about changing the ATF when it needs to be done. Running royal purple max atf. Trans still going strong, lets hope that lasts.