Transmission Shifting issue: need help please

[FlyingV77]

Did it affect cruse control on yours as well?

[tom4bren]

Did it affect cruse control on yours as well?

Actually, I haven't tried the cruise control since the tranny started the wonky shifting. I'm guessing not since my wonky shift is between 1 and 2, not 2 and 3 like creeg.

[tom4bren]

Hell of a deal

I found a kit that has 4 out of the 5 solenoids for $129. http://www.electricaladvantage.net/4...lenoidkit.aspx.

The EPC solenoid is sold seperate for $41.65. http://www.electricaladvantage.net/4...fits4180e.aspx

The pan gasket is $3.61 and the overdrive adapter pan gasket is $2.12 from http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...ts_s/11031.htm

The transmission filter is $6.23 from http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...rs_s/21012.htm

I spoke with VXobsession's husban Marcus. He indicated that it's a fairly simple job that I could do myself. He echoed what creeg had earlier said that probably only the 3 solenoids needed to be replaced but if I'm pulling the pan anyway, may as well do them all.

So reworking my math indicates that I'll end up spending a little over $200 to get'r done (mebbe $220-230 after picking up the tranny fluid)

[Y33TREKker]

Kind of wondering if a simple fluid and filter change would solve some of these problems. How long has it been that these items have been changed on the vehicles exhibiting these shifting issues?

[creeg]

I changed my fluids a couple times while trying to fix mine- it didnt help. Replacing the solenoids worked in my case.

[Bird Dog 36]

My 01 ironman is doing the same thing. It "slips" into neutral in between 2nd and 3rd, sometimes seems to stay in a gear too long, and also has the " D" light out on the dash.

Tom, I'll be following your solenoid install, I thought that you said that you were going to do the install yourself. I will be doing the same,so let me know if you come across anything tricky.

Has there been any general consensus about what causes the D light to go out, seemingly at the same time? Creeg, did you ever fix your D indicator?

[creeg]

Bird Dog 36, it sounds like you are having the solenoid issue- as Im sure you have read through this long post, and seen the symptoms and what fixed it.

My D light has not come back on, I havent looked into fixing it: it may be a shorted out bulb that needs to be replaced, or it should be something else entirely, not exactly sure. Im not much help.

[Bird Dog 36]

Creeg,
If I get some time, I'll yank the gauge cover and see if it is just the bulb, I'll let you know. Maybe the same for you.
I will also use Tom's list and start to get the solenoid parts together as well.
If I remember, you had a tranny shop fix yours. What was the final cost?

[LittleBeast]

I have done two full solenoid swaps on my VX and I can tell you that the '01 transmission takes almost all the solenoids from the new kit 2000+ Isuzu's except one solenoid in the smaller pan requires a solenoid from the Kit for Isuzu's made before 2000, I think it is the 97-99 solenoid kit. You can easily see which one is the odd one out by visual comparison. Be careful though because you can install the wrong solenoid, it will "fit" in there, but it is the wrong solenoid. The body looks similar but the "head" that is not visible once installed is not the same, and functions differently. Not sure about the 99 and 00 trans solenoids, isuzu changed a lot around that time with the solenoids and torque converters and I found a lot of confusion from people that had not personally opened up the trans in a VX.
Aamco rebuilt my trans with the incorrect torque converter and one incorrect solenoid and it only lasted 1 year after the rebuild and then they did some type of repair after that and it lasted another 5 years but burned out again. I only know this because I personally removed and replaced the transmission with an untouched stock transmission myself and documented the process. I just haven't uploaded any photos here sorry :-)

Also I would like to mention that the bolts to resecure the pan to the tranny once you have put the new gasket on, only need to be hand tighten. Be careful, it is very easy to strip them out.

[creeg]

I think the shop charged me around $800-900

[Bird Dog 36]

So I tore into the dash this weekend to get to the stereo's sub output; and while I was at it I took out the gauge pod. It turns out that my "D" light bulb was burned out. So obviously we can't say that this would be the answer to D light out issues, but it was mine. I don't ever remember coming across those type of bulbs at the parts store, so I just swapped it with the "L" bulb and now my "D" works great, and I figure when and if I go to into 1st gear, I'll know anyway.

[Bird Dog 36]

tom, have you installed the solenoids yet? And if so, how was the install? What year is your VX, and the solenoid "kit" did it have what you needed?

Now my '00 is having the "same" issues as my '01. Looks like I'll get to do it twice.

[tom4bren]

Sorry, no I haven't done the repair yet. Life has gotten in the way in some fairly major ways. It'll probably be late spring before I'll be able to get to it.

[Bird Dog 36]

Thanks for the reply; I hope all is well. I'll start gathering the parts in the next few weeks.

[mrlarrys]

does anyone still have part numbers for these solenoids - links above don't work anymore - Thanks, Larry