I got on the highway the other day and my 95 with 196K miles throws a CEL and the OD light flashes. I felt a slight hesitation, but after that brief moment, everything seems to be ok again. I checked the code, and it was P0770 Shift Solenoid E Malfunction. I erased the code, and have been driving for a few days and everything seems normal. Should I be concerned? I had the transmission rebuilt at around 120K miles due to damage from towing, so I would think it should last a while longer. I drained and refilled the transmission a bunch of times (like 6 times - instead of doing a flush) about a year and a half ago, and the fluid level seems to be right.

How much warning will I get before a transmission fails?

I got a quote of about $3K to install a rebuilt tranmission using a family friend. I wondering if it's worth it because I neglected to do the 180K timing belt and water pump figuring I'd risk driving another 30K miles before anything happens. I was hoping to drive this for another 3 years or so, but now with the transmission code, I'm not so sure.

 

My CEL also turned on and I checked the code and I'm also getting the P0770 as well. I'm assuming there's 5 shift solenoids and solenoid E must be the fifth one. I'm planning on purchasing solenoid E and will have someone install it for me.

 

there
s a proper procedure to check the trans fluid level.
follow it and check fluid condition.

 

schan1w,

I rode my previous ES300 until it hit 255,000 miles, and it was time to ditch it. So I can get my money's worth out of a car. But DON'T spend $3,000 on a rebuilt trans for a car with 196,000 miles on it. Instead, you can buy a WHOLE ES300, newer than yours, with less miles for $3,000. I just now looked on autotrader.com and there is a great looking blue 1997 ES300 with only 100,000 miles on it with an asking price of $2,995. And there are more. Also check cars.com and ebay.com

Or keep driving your car as is. Maybe the problem was a one time fluke. Or, if the problem happens again, you might take to a shop and see it you can repair it without getting another trans installed.