Shift Solenoids - All

Replace all shift solenoids in the 47RE/48RE automatic transmission by removing the valve body assembly, inspecting for wear, installing new solenoids, and refilling with fresh ATF+4.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Overdrive solenoid × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Lock-up solenoid × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Governor pressure solenoid × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Governor pressure sensor × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM Mopar gasket or equivalent
• Transmission filter kit × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Valve body gaskets and separator plate × 1 — Use OEM kit
• Transmission drain plug washer × 1 — Copper crush washer if equipped

Fluids

• Mopar ATF+4 — 14 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake firmly
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental starter engagement
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at frame rails
5. Allow transmission to cool completely if vehicle was recently operated
6. Place drain pan under transmission pan
7. Gather all replacement solenoids and verify correct part numbers for your specific transmission model (47RE or 48RE)

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   If equipped with drain plug, remove transmission drain plug using appropriate socket and allow fluid to drain completely. If no drain plug is present, loosen all pan bolts gradually, starting at rear corners, and allow fluid to drain as pan is lowered. Have large drain pan ready as approximately 6-8 quarts will drain initially.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove transmission pan
   Remove all transmission pan bolts completely. Carefully lower pan and pour remaining fluid into drain pan. Inspect pan for metal shavings or debris—excessive material may indicate internal transmission damage. Remove and discard old gasket material from both pan and transmission case using plastic scraper. Clean pan thoroughly with solvent and inspect magnet for metal particles.
   Torque spec

   Transmission Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove transmission filter
   Locate transmission filter assembly attached to valve body. Remove the filter retaining screw(s) if equipped, then carefully pull filter straight down to disengage the press-fit seal from valve body. Note orientation and any O-rings or seals. Inspect filter for debris or damage. Set aside and prepare new filter for installation.
4. 4

   Document and remove valve body electrical connections
   Locate the transmission wiring harness connector inside transmission case. Take detailed photos of all wire routing and connector positions. Carefully disconnect all solenoid electrical connectors—there will be connectors for overdrive solenoid, lock-up solenoid, and governor pressure solenoid/sensor. Mark each connector position if not keyed differently.
   ⚠Do not pull on wires—grasp connectors firmly and wiggle while pulling to avoid damaging terminals.
5. 5

   Remove valve body assembly
   Locate all valve body mounting bolts (typically 12-14 bolts of varying lengths). Note bolt positions as they are different lengths—take photos or create diagram. Remove all valve body bolts in criss-cross pattern, working from outside toward center. Carefully lower valve body assembly, keeping it level to prevent check balls and springs from falling out. Place valve body on clean workspace with separator plate facing up.
   ⚠The valve body is heavy and awkward to handle. Support it carefully as last bolts are removed to prevent it from dropping suddenly.
6. 6

   Remove separator plate and document check ball positions
   With valve body on clean bench, remove separator plate bolts. Carefully lift separator plate straight up. There will be multiple steel check balls (typically 9-11 balls) in specific valve body passages. Use photos or service manual diagram to document exact position of each check ball. Use magnetic pickup tool to remove each ball and store in organized container marked with position. Remove and discard old gaskets and separator plate.
   ⚠️Check balls MUST be reinstalled in exact original positions. Incorrect ball placement will cause severe transmission malfunction. Reference factory service manual for check ball diagram specific to 47RE/48RE.
7. 7

   Remove old solenoids from valve body
   Locate the solenoid components on the valve body: the overdrive/lock-up (converter clutch) solenoid pack, the governor pressure solenoid, and the separate governor pressure sensor. Refer to the factory service manual for exact locations on your specific 47RE/48RE valve body. Remove retaining bolts or clips securing each solenoid. Carefully pull each solenoid straight out from valve body bore. Note any O-rings or seals on each solenoid body. Inspect valve body bores for scoring or damage.
8. 8

   Inspect and clean valve body
   With all solenoids removed, thoroughly clean all valve body passages with clean ATF+4 and compressed air if available. Inspect all valve body surfaces for scoring, cracks, or wear. Check that all valve body springs move freely. Clean separator plate mounting surface completely. This is critical time to inspect for root cause of solenoid failure such as contamination or wear.
   ℹ️If heavy metal contamination or aluminum particles are found, internal transmission damage may exist and solenoid replacement alone may not resolve issues.
9. 9

   Install new solenoids
   Lubricate new solenoid O-rings with clean ATF+4. Install governor pressure solenoid/sensor assembly first, ensuring it seats fully into valve body bore. Install lock-up solenoid and overdrive solenoid in their respective positions, verifying each seats completely. Install retaining bolts or clips and torque sensor mounting bolts to specification. Verify each solenoid is secure and cannot rotate.
10. 10

    Reinstall separator plate with check balls
    Place new valve body gasket onto valve body surface. Using factory service manual diagram, carefully install each check ball into its correct valve body passage using magnetic pickup tool or tweezers. Double-check each ball position against diagram. Install new separator plate, ensuring alignment dowels (if equipped) are properly seated. Install new upper gasket. Install separator plate bolts and torque evenly in criss-cross pattern.
    ⚠️Verify check ball positions multiple times before installing separator plate. This cannot be corrected without complete disassembly.
11. 11

    Install new transmission filter
    Install new O-rings on filter neck if equipped. Align new filter with valve body pickup tube and press firmly until fully seated. Install filter retaining bolts and tighten securely. Verify filter cannot be pulled away from valve body.
12. 12

    Reinstall valve body assembly
    Carefully raise valve body assembly into position in transmission case, ensuring it aligns properly with parking pawl rod and manual valve linkage. Start all valve body mounting bolts by hand, ensuring correct bolt lengths are used in correct positions. Once all bolts are started, torque in criss-cross pattern from center outward. Verify valve body sits flush against case.
13. 13

    Reconnect electrical connectors
    Reconnect all solenoid electrical connectors to their correct positions as documented in photos. Ensure each connector locks securely and wire routing matches original configuration. Verify no wires are pinched or stressed. Route internal wiring harness properly to avoid interference with pan installation.
14. 14

    Install transmission pan with new gasket
    Ensure transmission case mating surface is completely clean and dry. Install new transmission pan gasket—some gaskets use RTV sealant while others are rubber with locating tabs. If RTV type, apply thin even bead of Mopar RTV sealant to pan flange. Position pan carefully and start all pan bolts by hand. Torque pan bolts in criss-cross pattern starting from center and working outward to ensure even gasket compression.
    ⚠Do not overtighten pan bolts as transmission pan is stamped steel and will distort easily, causing leaks.
    Torque spec

    Transmission Pan Bolts12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Refill transmission with ATF+4
    If equipped with drain plug, install new copper washer and reinstall drain plug to specification. Lower vehicle to ground. Remove transmission dipstick and insert funnel. Add approximately 6 quarts of fresh Mopar ATF+4 initially. Start engine and allow to idle. With parking brake applied and foot on brake pedal, shift transmission through all gear ranges slowly, pausing 2-3 seconds in each position. Return to Park. Check fluid level on dipstick with engine running and transmission at operating temperature (160-200°F). Add fluid as needed to bring level to FULL HOT mark. Only refill the amount drained (approximately 5-7 quarts for a pan service); verify full dry-fill capacity against the factory service manual for your specific 47RE/48RE.
    ⚠Overfilling transmission can cause foaming and shifting problems. Add fluid slowly and check level frequently.
    Torque spec

    Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all electrical connections are secure and properly routed
2. Confirm transmission pan bolts are torqued in proper sequence to prevent leaks
3. Double-check that drain plug (if equipped) has new washer installed
4. Ensure no tools or parts were left inside transmission case before pan installation
5. Reconnect negative battery cable

Verification

• Start engine and verify no transmission fluid leaks from pan or drain plug area
• With engine at idle and transmission in Park, verify fluid level is within safe operating range on dipstick
• Road test vehicle through all gear ranges and verify smooth shifts with no slipping or flaring
• Using scan tool, verify no transmission trouble codes are present and all solenoid circuits test within specification
• Monitor shift quality over first 50 miles and recheck fluid level after transmission reaches full operating temperature
• Inspect under vehicle after first drive for any signs of fluid leakage from pan gasket
• Verify transmission shifts into overdrive (4th gear) and lock-up converter engages at appropriate vehicle speed

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