Another Week, Another OBDII Code: P0773

[MoldySpore]

So yea. I got the P0401 - EGR Insufficient Flow code fixed, got an all new EGR valvue, pipe, and VCM (part of the EGR system) replaced last week at Toyota. Cost me $400 cause they charge $100/hr for labor. RIP OFF! But afterwards my car was running VERY well.

Well just last night my check engine light came back on, along with the TRAC OFF light. So I figured "ok, bad EGR again. They'll replace for free, blah blah". \

Well I'm not that lucky. Went to autozone today and got the code pulled. It is a P0773 - Shift Solenoid E Electrical

I was wondering if anyone has dealt with this code/problem on a gen4. How much is this going to set me back? I searched and found a couple saying they got new tranny's, which set them back $1000-1500. Then I found a thread with someone with a 90 Camry that only paid $200 because all you have to do is drain the tranny fluid take the pan off and the solenoids are right there.

Also, is there any relation at all between all these different things that have been happening to my car? seems like it is all at once. Only have intake, exhaust, and suspension done (with a few other little things). None of that can really be effecting any of these other systems right?

ANY help would be greatly appreciated. All this stuff is REALLY starting to drain my bank account

[MoldySpore]

anybody?

[d0rkiishchris]

does it shift alright?

[MoldySpore]

It shiifts ok while just the Check Engine light is on. Then when the TRAC OFF light comes on it slips and bucks the car violently, then it shift fine again. Then a few miles later the ABS light will start flashing. If I pull over and shut the car off and then turn it back on the ABS is off and wont come on again for while (50 or 100 miles).

I went to the Toyota dealership and they said a solenoid replacement is $1200 installed and they make no guarentee if that will fix the problem or that it wont create new ones (they said disturbing a transmission @ 175,000 miles is a bad thing).

Used transmission with 45,000mi. on it is $1700 installed, and a new tranny is $3400 installed.

I NEVER thought I was going to have to do a transmission on my car @ 175,000mi. Even on my 2 previous GM cars (which died right around this milage) I never did a transmission. Engine problems started popping up before transmission problems on my old cars. I never thought I'd have to deal with anything like this until I was approaching the 300,000mi marker.

So I am in a pickle. I don't know what I should do. I JUST did suspension, and i have tons of other work done to the car. And it runs PERFECTLY (just got a timing belt, among other things, done and a full tune up). Better than the day I bought it. What should I do?

Comments/Advice would be appreciated.

[GSW]

MoldySpore, I have a 97, V6 with auto and 74K miles. I'm interested in the fix on yours just in case this happens to me. Instead of paying $1700 for a used tranny, I'd have to try to fix it myself, depending on how deep the solenoid is in the tranny. Best of luck to ya and I hope it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Keep us informed and I'll let you know if I find out anything.

Originally Posted by MoldySpore

It shiifts ok while just the Check Engine light is on. Then when the TRAC OFF light comes on it slips and bucks the car violently, then it shift fine again. Then a few miles later the ABS light will start flashing. If I pull over and shut the car off and then turn it back on the ABS is off and wont come on again for while (50 or 100 miles).

I went to the Toyota dealership and they said a solenoid replacement is $1200 installed and they make no guarentee if that will fix the problem or that it wont create new ones (they said disturbing a transmission @ 175,000 miles is a bad thing).

Used transmission with 45,000mi. on it is $1700 installed, and a new tranny is $3400 installed.

I NEVER thought I was going to have to do a transmission on my car @ 175,000mi. Even on my 2 previous GM cars (which died right around this milage) I never did a transmission. Engine problems started popping up before transmission problems on my old cars. I never thought I'd have to deal with anything like this until I was approaching the 300,000mi marker.

So I am in a pickle. I don't know what I should do. I JUST did suspension, and i have tons of other work done to the car. And it runs PERFECTLY (just got a timing belt, among other things, done and a full tune up). Better than the day I bought it. What should I do?

Comments/Advice would be appreciated.

[rat42]

it is probably a loose / broken wire between the ecu and the tranny. get a second opinion.

[MoldySpore]

Originally Posted by GSW

MoldySpore, I have a 97, V6 with auto and 74K miles. I'm interested in the fix on yours just in case this happens to me. Instead of paying $1700 for a used tranny, I'd have to try to fix it myself, depending on how deep the solenoid is in the tranny. Best of luck to ya and I hope it won't cost you an arm and a leg. Keep us informed and I'll let you know if I find out anything.

The solenoids are actually relatively easy to get to on the car. You just drain the tranny fluid, drop the pan, and move a few things and the solenoids are right there. On a lift it is cake. The only problem is @ 175,000 miles, disturbing the insides of a transmission might create more problems than you fix ya know?

I'm bringing it to a transmission specialist tomorrow morning or friday. Said for $80 he'd drop the pan for me, take a look, and hook the car up and do a computer run test. He said also that it could be an ECU problem (either just the link between the tranny and the ECU or the ECU itself...which isnt any better cause if it is the ECU itll be mucho $'s anyway)...

Ill keep this post updated.

Again, any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[GSW]

Thanks, if you have the time, let us know what he says. Rat42 could be right:

"it is probably a loose / broken wire between the ecu and the tranny. get a second opinion."

Originally Posted by MoldySpore

The solenoids are actually relatively easy to get to on the car. You just drain the tranny fluid, drop the pan, and move a few things and the solenoids are right there. On a lift it is cake. The only problem is @ 175,000 miles, disturbing the insides of a transmission might create more problems than you fix ya know?

I'm bringing it to a transmission specialist tomorrow morning or friday. Said for $80 he'd drop the pan for me, take a look, and hook the car up and do a computer run test. He said also that it could be an ECU problem (either just the link between the tranny and the ECU or the ECU itself...which isnt any better cause if it is the ECU itll be mucho $'s anyway)...

Ill keep this post updated.

Again, any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[V6LE_CAMRY]

Do a pan drop on the tranny. it should not hurt it if it's cleaned right.

[MoldySpore]

Originally Posted by GSW

Thanks, if you have the time, let us know what he says. Rat42 could be right:

"it is probably a loose / broken wire between the ecu and the tranny. get a second opinion."

After lots of bullshit out of Toyota's mouth, I finally decided to go with a non-toyota transmission shop. The guy really knew what he was talking about and said he could do the job for about $350 installed (Solenoid E). Which is eactly 1/4 of the price Toyota wanted to charge.

He went in, dropped the pan, replaced the solenoid, and now my car runs better than it ever has. Shifting is smooth as butter. I honestly think it was going bad for 15 or 20000 miles because it hasnt shifted like this in a while!

Anyway, total price was $350 for the fix. Down from $1200 (or $3400 for a new tranny) is good by me

[GSW]

Awesome news Moldyspore! I'm very glad you were able to find an honest tranny shop. Pretty sad about all that BS talk about $$$$$. That $350 sounds alot more reasonable than $1200-3400to. Meanwhile, I'll be keeping an eye out for the old "Solenoid E" problem.

Originally Posted by MoldySpore

After lots of bullshit out of Toyota's mouth, I finally decided to go with a non-toyota transmission shop. The guy really knew what he was talking about and said he could do the job for about $350 installed (Solenoid E). Which is eactly 1/4 of the price Toyota wanted to charge.

He went in, dropped the pan, replaced the solenoid, and now my car runs better than it ever has. Shifting is smooth as butter. I honestly think it was going bad for 15 or 20000 miles because it hasnt shifted like this in a while!

Anyway, total price was $350 for the fix. Down from $1200 (or $3400 for a new tranny) is good by me

[MrCamryWagon]

in 3 months on my 10 year old, 120,000 mile '95 wagon.
I had the Toyota dealer do it and it was $300 each time.
I am a little pissed but it is running as well as ever.

SO.... what's the big deal with "disturbing" transmissions with 175,000 on them?