QuestionQUESTION: There was an oil leak from the solenoid in my 2004 Pacifica, and the mechanic told me the solenoid unit has to be replaced.
I bought the unit, Can I replace it myself?
ANSWER: Hi Issam,
While the solenoid pack is on the side of the trans, you do have to raise the vehicle and remove the valve body in order to then replace the pack. It would be very helpful to have the manual pages. If it is a 42LE type trans then I have the '04 manual; if you have the 42TE then I have the '02 manual (I don't know the Pacifica well enough to know which way the engine is configured; transverse or longitudinal!). So I can xerox copy and mail you the pages if you let me know which and a postal mailing address. It cost 10 cents a side plug the postage but you can send that back after you receive the pages. It should be less than $2.
Roland
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: In 2004 Pacifica, How much time it usually takes to replace the the trans solenoid, and how much money if the mechanic has to replace and I provide the part? He asked me to pay him $300.00 just for labor.
AnswerHi Issam,
I just took a look at the manual for the 41TE transmission used in the mininvan and see that it is different in that you don't have to do any work from underneath nor do you have to remove the valve body. So it looks like something you could do yourself. It would be good to have a small torque wrench so as to install the bolts to the proper tension to avoid another leak or to avoid over-tightening a bolt. So let me know if your engine is installed transversely (crosswise) and tell me you postal mailing address and I can send you a couple of pages that show you how, at no cost. This assumes you have the crosswise mounting.
I have no exact idea about time/labor charge for the job as I do-it-myself.
Roland
