97 Camry with Diagnostic code: P0773

[c***@yahoo.com]

Dear Experts,


I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.

This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.

The error is:
P0773

Which is:
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical

However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!


I did some online searching and found these GREAT articles:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm


So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.


But this summer, I did a road trip. About 5 hours of highway
driving each way. On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!

However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.


I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.

Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?

Thanks a lot!

[Ray O]

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer, I did a road trip. About 5 hours of highway
driving each way. On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!
However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.
I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.
Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?
Thanks a lot!

You got the first two steps correct in scanning for the trouble codes and
finding out how to check the shift solenoid circuit.

The next step is to check the circuit as described in the articles you
found.

If the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, then the car
may need a transmission service, but that is unlikely to cure the problem,
which is an electrical problem.

[EdV]

Post by Ray O

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer, I did a road trip. About 5 hours of highway
driving each way. On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!
However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.
I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.
Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?
Thanks a lot!

You got the first two steps correct in scanning for the trouble codes and
finding out how to check the shift solenoid circuit.
The next step is to check the circuit as described in the articles you
found.
If the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in a long time, then the car
may need a transmission service, but that is unlikely to cure the problem,
which is an electrical problem.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

I remember getting the same problem on a 1998 RAV4. It wasn't a check
engine light but the O/D ON/OFF indicator kept blinking. I brought it
to the dealer and they told me of this same circuit. I religiously
changed my A/T fluid, but still the circuit failed, and changing the
fluid wont do anything. I can't tell you how I got it fixed since I
sold the car without fixing it.

[norm46]

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard.  I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine!   Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htmhttp://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htmhttp://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error.  I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer,(snip)

It's probably the gas. I posted to this group about the check engine
light. It came on in the fall of 2007 when the gas company's switched
to winter blend and stayed on all winter. Auto zone said it was a
faulty O2 sensor. I could not afford to replace. Spring came, the ga
companies switched back to summer blend, the light went out and has
stayed out all summer.
Just my 2cents.

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Thanks a lot!

[Ray O]

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htmhttp://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htmhttp://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer,(snip)

It's probably the gas. I posted to this group about the check engine
light. It came on in the fall of 2007 when the gas company's switched
to winter blend and stayed on all winter. Auto zone said it was a
faulty O2 sensor. I could not afford to replace. Spring came, the ga
companies switched back to summer blend, the light went out and has
stayed out all summer.
Just my 2cents.

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Thanks a lot!

Fuel quality will not affect the performance of a shift solenoid.

[Steve Austin]

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer, I did a road trip. About 5 hours of highway
driving each way. On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!
However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.
I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.
Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?
Thanks a lot!

The code is for failure of the torque converter clutch solenoid
electrical circuit. However, I've learned to be very wary of Japanese
and Korean codes concerning electrical failure. You can be fairly sure
of a TCC problem, but it might not be electrical.

[j***@hotmail.com]

From another message thread:

This is why I like to drop the Aisin tranny pans and clean things up,
using Fram ATF kits ($15-20) which includes a new strainer and cork-
rubber gasket that seals well.

These relatively dirty Aisin transmissions do not have a filter like
domestic transmissions. Smaller debris flow freely through the system
in contrast to the clean post-filter fluid circuits of the likes of GM
Hydramatics.

Strainers are less likely to plug up, but to maintain transmission
health the debris still needs to be cleaned out periodically by
dropping the pan, *not just drain/refill*

For those who work on their own every 12-15K miles. Cheap enough at
$25-30 parts and fluids.

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard.  I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine!   Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htmhttp://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htmhttp://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error.  I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer, I did a road trip.  About 5 hours of highway
driving each way.   On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!
However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.
I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.
Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?
Thanks a lot!

[Sluggo]

I had the same thing on a 1999 Lexus ES 300.
It throws that code in spells. The car runs and shifts fine.
It's been about 25K miles since the first appearance and I have not seen it
in quite awhile now.
The dealer said the transmission needs overhauling.
I'll just run it until it quits.
The lights go out, like you said after a few miles or start and stops.

Mark

Post by c***@yahoo.com
Dear Experts,
I have 97 Camry, V6, with 180K miles on it.
This spring, I got a warning light appearing on
my dashboard. I bought a code reader.
P0773
Shift solenoid E circuit electrical
However, the car shifts perfectly fine! Not a problem at all!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl748a-lib.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl079i.htm
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Toyota-Repair-832/Fault-Code-P0773.htm
So far, I've ignored the error. I keep thinking I might just sell the
car.
But this summer, I did a road trip. About 5 hours of highway
driving each way. On the way back, I noticed that there
was no more Check engine light. Great!
However, after driving in stop and go traffic again, the
warning light reappeared.
I have not changed the transmission fluid for a long time.
Do you think that all the car might need is a transmission
service?
Thanks a lot!

[j***@hotmail.com]

That's the torque converter lock-up solenoid. You probably no longer
have that slight RPM drop at highway cruising speeds. Slightly less
MPG, but I don't know if any more than that.

Jasper started reman A541E transmission, used both in the Camry V6 and
Lexus ES 300. I wonder if Toyota gets their from Jasper or Marshall.
These offer 3 year / 100,000 mile warranty. Another option when the
time comes.

http://www.jasperengines.com/transmissions-automobile.htm
http://www.jasperengines.com/newsletter/nlapr2002.pdf

Post by Sluggo
I had the same thing on a 1999 Lexus ES 300.
It throws that code in spells. The car runs and shifts fine.
It's been about 25K miles since the first appearance and I have not seen it
in quite awhile now.
The dealer said the transmission needs overhauling.
I'll just run it until it quits.
The lights go out, like you said after a few miles or start and stops.