TEST 1: Under-Drive Shift Solenoid Resistance Test
As mentioned in the previous page, the 2 pins (of the transmission solenoid pack) that we need to test are pins #4 (power circuit) and #5 (activation circuit). These 2 pins are the ones that will complete the circuit of the Under-Drive Shift Solenoid.
Remember, the Under-Drive Shift Solenoid has to be tested with the solenoid pack's 8 wire connector disconnected.
NOTE: If the engine/transmission is hot, let it cool down. It's best that you do this test with a cold engine or you run the risk of getting burned by a hot engine and/or Transmission. Be careful, use common sense and think SAFETY.
OK, this is what you'll need to do:
- Disconnect the solenoid pack from its 8-wire electrical connector.
- This is an on-car test, so you don't have to remove the solenoid pack to test it.
- If you've already removed the solenoid pack from the transmission -wells that's cool too, the test instructions still apply.
- Set your multimeter to Ohms mode.
- With the red multimeter test lead, probe the metal male terminal labeled with the number 4 in the photo above.
- With the black multimeter test lead, probe the metal male terminal labeled with the number 5.
- Your multimeter should register between 0.5 to 9 Ohms.
Let's take a look at what your test result means:
CASE 1: The multimeter registered the indicated Ohms. This is good and confirms that the Under-Drive Shift Solenoid (within the solenoid pack) is OK.
Since a trouble code P0765 is lighting up the check engine light on your instrument cluster, the next steps are:
- Check the continuity of circuit #5 between the Transmission Control Module and the solenoid pack's connector.
- Check the physical condition of the solenoid pack's connector and the round metal terminals inside of it for damage.
The above steps are beyond the scope of this article, but at least now you know what direction your troubleshooting needs to take.
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register the indicated Ohms. Double check that you're testing the correct metal male terminals on the solenoid pack and retest.
If you still don't see the indicated resistance in Ohms, then the Under-Drive Shift Solenoid is bad. You'll need to replace the solenoid pack assembly to resolve the problem.
Under-Drive Shift Solenoid Test Conclusion
Sooner or later, every Chrysler vehicle on the road will need to have the solenoid pack replaced. I've replaced many over the years (working as diagnostic tech in an automotive repair shop). So, in this section, I want to share a couple of personal suggestions that I think will help you:
- Whenever any of the shift solenoids, inside the solenoid pack, go bad, the transmission will go into LIMP IN mode. This means the transaxle will stay and run in 2nd gear only.
- A bad Under-Drive Shift Solenoid (Shift Solenoid D) will not cause your transmission to slip.
- If your vehicle's transaxle is slipping, then replacing the solenoid pack will not help since slippage is a direct result of internal transaxle damage (burned clutch discs, broken/worn internal hard parts, etc).
- Can a bad solenoid pack cause the transaxle to go bad?, the answer is YES if you don't take care of the problem as soon as possible and/or continue driving it for extended amounts of time/distance in LIMP IN mode.
- When reconnecting the solenoid pack's electrical connector, don't tighten it to death or you'll strip the threads or break the solenoid pack.
Well, in conclusion: I hope this test tutorial helped you. If it did, drop me a line using the contact form below. Sharing your diagnostic and repair experience will definitely help other readers facing the same issue/dilemma.
Chrysler Transmission Solenoid Pack Tutorials
The following tutorials relate to this transmission solenoid pack tutorial:
- Testing Diagnostic Trouble Code P0750 (Low Reverse Shift Solenoid Malfunction).
- How To Test Diagnostic Trouble Code P0755 (2-4 Shift Solenoid Malfunction).
- How To Test Diagnostic Trouble Code P0760 (Overdrive Solenoid Malfunction).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
