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What Are the Different Types of Car Solenoids?
There are several types of car solenoids used to perform a variety of functions, from starting the engine to shifting the transmission. Many automobile starters use different types of car solenoids depending on whether or not the vehicle is equipped with a standard or an automatic transmission. There are different car solenoids used to activate a four-wheel drive system, fuel-injection system and even to lock or unlock the doors and trunks on some vehicles.
A solenoid is an electronic device that operates either a push or pull operation, and some car solenoids can both push and pull. The most common use of car solenoids is to start the engine of the vehicle. The starter solenoid can be either attached to the engine's starter or divorced from the starter. In a divorced solenoid application, the solenoid is commonly mounted on the vehicle's fender well or on the firewall. Some car solenoids are used to direct transmission fluid to a certain sector within the transmission to control the gear shifts.
Automatic transmissions commonly use a solenoid to direct the transmission fluid while under computer control. The vehicle's computer will send an electrical charge to a solenoid inside of the transmission. The signal activates the distribution and flow of transmission fluid that will allow the vehicle to change gears.
Other solenoids control the lock-up action of the vehicle's torque convertor to aid in improving fuel mileage by eliminating torque convertor slip while driving. In four-wheel drive applications, a solenoid typically controls the locking mechanism in a vehicle's front axle or transfer case. The solenoid eliminates the need for the operator to shift the transfer case into a specific gear by allowing the operator to turn or push a switch that electronically locks the transfer case when needed.
Some car solenoids are used to open doors, trunk lids and rear hatches remotely. The solenoid used in this application is commonly a push or pull type solenoid and is attached to the locking mechanism by a rod or cable. Another type of solenoid is found in the fuel injection system of a vehicle. The fuel injectors are electrical devices that pulse back and forth releasing a pre-measured shot of fuel on each cycle. Many vehicles also use a type of solenoid to control the flow of heated engine coolant to and from the vehicle's heater, and this flow of heated coolant provides warmth to the vehicle's passenger compartment.
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![The most common use of car solenoids is to start the vehicle.]()
By: starasThe most common use of car solenoids is to start the vehicle. -
![In most cars and trucks, the transmission system has a fixed number of gears that can be used at various speeds.]()
By: yang yuIn most cars and trucks, the transmission system has a fixed number of gears that can be used at various speeds.
Discussion Comments
@Feryll - Even if your problem isn't caused by a bad solenoid, you shouldn't assume that the transmission is the cause of your problem. There are many parts that could cause an engine to skip and jerk. You might want to have your spark plugs checked for starters. Your car might also need a fuel additive to help clean out the gas line.
@Feryll - As this article explains, solenoid switches can be found in several places on some cars. A solenoid that is used in the transmission system or if you have a fuel injection system that has a solenoid then either of these could be causing your car to hesitate when you try to accelerate.
This has been years ago, but I knew someone who had a similar problem and it turned out to be the solenoid that was controlling the amount of fuel being pumped into the engine. I can remember it because it took the mechanic forever to get the old solenoid out so he could replace it.
The other day I was driving my car. I passed by the road I meant to turn onto and I had to stop and turn around in the road. I had to shift to reverse and then back to drive. When I switched back to drive and started to increase speed, the car jerked a couple of times.
I didn't know what was going on. This was the first time I had had this problem. My first thought was the transmission. A friend told be that I might have a solenoid that needs replacing, which sounds better than replacing the transmission. Has anyone out there had a similar problem and the cause was the solenoid? Is it possible that a solenoid could make my car jerk like that?
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