Transmission Oil On Solenoid Plug

[101st ABN]

I have had an issue for a long time with my transmission TC not locking in any gear but OD. I just installed a mystery switch and noticed the Solenoid plug was saturated with transmission fluid. Also when I activate the mystery switch I get code P0700 which I'm thinking is probably due to the saturated plug. I searched but could not find a repair direction on this issue. Any help on the saturated plug is appreciated. And any advice on the cause of the my lockup issue. FYI I have a built transmission (by Inglewood trans) which includes a VB and Georend TC.

 

[cerberusiam]

With an 03 you probably will not ever get TC lock in Drive, the controls for that were pretty basic on that year. Might work in TH but even that is hit or miss. Fluid in the connector means the plastic plug has cracked or the silicone is gone around the wires. Only fix is replace the VB harness.

If you installed the mystery switch without a resistor on the ground leg that is the source of the code. The circuits are monitored for high resistance or a dead short like a switch creates. You have to keep resistance between 5 and 100 ohms or the ECM thinks there is a problem. A 33 ohm 1/2 watt resistor between the switch and the ground will solve the code problem.

 

[101st ABN]

Thank you. I installed a jumper on #59 relay, pin 30 to 87 and lock up works with the mystery switch but still throws P0700 code (it did not stay locked without jumper and limp mode). Will try the resistor on the ground side to see of that works.

Fyi I think your right with your first comment. On my 03 I don't think it ever locked the TC in 2nd or 3rd and only in OD even with the OD locked out. Appreciate your help.

 

[cerberusiam]

Do not jumper the relay, that is good way to burn up a PCM or ECM. All you need is a resistor on the switch to ground the lockup sense circuit in the control harness. Normally the PCM would do that and you are just bypassing until the PCM takes over, but, you have to play by the monitoring rules.

It might lock in 2nd if you manually shift to 2nd and turn TH on. The newer trucks would do that but they had a lot more memory in the ECM to control things. The 03-04 are really hamstrung for operational memory and functionality.

 

[DaveHess]

Cerb, Won't the mystery switch lock the converter when you manually put the transmission in 2 or D? My '03 has a build date of 4/4/2003. And would you know which wire the mystery switch connects to on the harness at the transmission? BTW, My 48RE does not have Tow/Haul.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, should lock in 1st and 2nd also. Wire colors change over MY's, you need to pull the plug out and figure out which one is pin #7, or look up the color in an FSM for that year. Even the 03 and 04's had TH, it was just OD lockout but it did change the lockup and shift algorithm to be a bit more aggressive on some.

 

[101st ABN]

The resistor on the ground side of the switch worked. No check engine light, no code. Been struggling with high trans temps while towing for years so cant wait to flip it while towing. Thank you very much for your help Cerb.

My #7 wire is black and orange Dave. My truck locks in all gears now when the switch is flipped.

 

[DaveHess]

Thank you Cerb and 101st ABN!

 

[101st ABN]

Do you have a part number for the valve body harness and a possible source for the part? My dealer is saying they are discontinued.

 

[cerberusiam]

Here you go. http://www.cascadetransmissionparts.com/retccodsolenoidaftermarket2000.aspx

 

[101st ABN]

Thank you!!