Shift solenoid location?

Tiny
CINDALEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 70,000 MILES
Was driving fine. Stopped at red light, had no drive afterwards. Only reverse. What about the solenoid or sensor? The check engine light is not on. The car never showed any signs of transmission problems. It was driving fine, we stopped at a red light, it turned green and the car would not go. Park, reverse and neutral are all fine, but when you get past that neutral, you can see it go into gear but it does nothing. So what do we do? Could the pressure be the problem if it happened so quickly? Do you know a way we can test it at home? We do not have the money to have it towed anywhere to be tested and were going to try to fix it at home.
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 AT 11:23 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It sounds like you have a shift solenoid or the input shaft speed sensor that is out but to be sure you need to check to make sure you do not have any codes that could lead you to the problem. Also, what color is the transmission fluid?

Here are two guides to help us get started.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Electronic Components

13 - TFP Manual Valve Position Switch Assembly
46 - Input Speed Sensor
62 - Output Speed Sensor
305 - 1-2 and 2-3 Shift Solenoid Valves
305 - 1-2 and 2-3 Shift Solenoid Valves
312 - Pressure Control Solenoid
335 - TCC Control PWM Solenoid

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Saturday, November 5th, 2011 AT 2:13 AM
Tiny
CINDALEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We changed the fluid and filter, and the fluid was a little burnt looking but did not smell burnt. The car does not move at all when you put it in drive, 3, 2 or 1. I will try to get a code reader
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Saturday, November 5th, 2011 AT 3:01 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Was there any silver metal looking stuff in the transmission? I hope you drained the fluid through a rag to look for metal? Also, again any codes? I would check for them.
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Saturday, November 5th, 2011 AT 3:39 PM
Tiny
CINDALEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
There was very little silver shavings and it was almost like dust.
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Sunday, November 6th, 2011 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
That is normal, Do you have any codes in the computer? I would check for them. If there are not any codes I would next check the transmissions pressure. You would need a transmission pressure tester gauge set. To fix this yourself your going to have to buy tools and depending on your skill level fixing cars this repair might get over your head.
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Sunday, November 6th, 2011 AT 10:03 PM
Tiny
CINDALEWIS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I took the car into the shop and they replaced the first gear control solenoid and the input shaft speed sensor now the car works, I just thought you should know. It cost me $320.00
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Sunday, November 6th, 2011 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You are welcome keep me posted.
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Sunday, November 6th, 2011 AT 10:38 PM
Tiny
04MALIBULTV6
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
Original engine and transmission. The problem is my girl friend was pulling out of a parking lot and just stopped moving. Car revs up but will not move. The thing is reverse works just fine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 8:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the transmission fluid if you can, otherwise you will need a transmission shop to look at it. Maybe something internally wrong with transmission.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 8:23 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
It is showing 8.0 hours labor to replace it, and does not include toe adjustment. It may need transmission removal. In either aspect the side cover needs to be removed. Most of the time to do that, the sub-frame needs to be removed for access. The power-train may be able to be lowered enough to weasel the side pan out, so an engine support fixture would be also needed. I have not done one on a Malibu, but a Cutlass or Alero would be similar. I will look on GM service information, and if there is any specifics I will reply. Often times factory service procedure may call for transmission removal, but it is not always the golden rule.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 8:25 PM (Merged)
Tiny
XJJ2012X
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
How do I fix the reverse on my car?
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 8:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Below are some possible causes. You can talk to a transmission shop? A re-manufactured transmission might be the way to go, if no easy fix is found. I do not have any luck with easy fixes.
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Thursday, May 4th, 2017 AT 8:26 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERIKA WALTERS
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 151,000 MILES
I need to know where shift solenoid A is located in my Maxx. And how difficult is is to replace? Please and thank you.
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Friday, November 22nd, 2019 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
Hello,

You will need to jack up the car first here is a guide for that Then you will need to drop the pan and the shift solenoids in be in the valve body once you get the pan off.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Here is a transmission wiring diagram and the solenoid locations to help you see which one is which.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, November 22nd, 2019 AT 9:49 AM (Merged)

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