transbrake solenoid spring

J&S Racing · 07-26-2014, 04:38 PM

I recently had a transbrake solenoid fail. We noticed the spring seemed extra stiff while pushing the plunger in, not sure if that's what caused it to burn out......I was told you really don't need the spring as the pressure will push the plunger out. My question, how much will this affect reaction time?? Would switching to a softer spring be better than none??

Tom Goldman · 07-27-2014, 10:06 PM

What brand valve body ? And is it a pressure release valve body ?
Most pro tree brake springs are weak and are only there to let the driver hear the brake work . The only exception is the ATI brake has a fairly stiff spring .
Pull the valve out and remove the spring and make sure the valve moves freely .

J&S Racing · 07-27-2014, 10:42 PM

Thank you for the reply!!!
Im not sure the make of valve body, all I do know its a JW case and JW solenoid. When taken out, the plunger moves freely. Im 99.9% sure there is a electrical problem with the solenoid as we have had the same issues with the old mans solenoid in the past....
This rail hasn't run in a few years..... First 3 passes no issues. On 4th pass transbrake didn't hold. At first I wasn't sure I had it fully in first but during sat warm up I went to put some heat in the converter and it didn't hold again. ( I knew better, I should have changed it then!!!!) Seemed fine first pass but did the same thing 1st round.( Sure I was fully in first this time, lol )... A few friends stopped by and noticed the plunger seemed to have a very still spring.

Bill Baer · 08-05-2014, 11:20 PM

Make sure it's in low gear !
if something is amiss with the shifter, cable The shift lever or the comb/detent in the trans . If it pops into high the brake doesn't work or hold, even if the the solenoid and valve body are working properly. So verify that it's in low gear in the trans.
Had simular problem due to a mismatched shifter/ shift lever. Car would occasionally pop in to high gear and leave as soon as I stomped the gas while I had the button held down?
Very frustrating as you well know.

Charlie Yannetti · 08-06-2014, 11:55 AM

Hopefully, it is as simple as a spring.. but knowing what you went through with the trans last week, I would go with Tom Goldman and find out what valve body is actually in it.. might not be the one for your application.. unfortunately, you will have to re-seal that pan again.. UGH!!!!!!

J&S Racing · 08-06-2014, 02:54 PM

The answer to my original question... Taking out the spring made no change in reaction time, I was still able to get a .001/ .005 and -.003 in second round.

The problem in NH wasn't
" a driver that has no idea what he is doing" ....just a bad solenoid.

Charlie Yannetti · 08-19-2014, 01:34 PM

"A driver that has no idea what he is doing"???.. I can only imagine where that came from... LOL!!!

07-26-2014, 04:38 PM	#1
J&S Racing Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 280 Likes: 102 Liked 309 Times in 80 Posts	transbrake solenoid spring I recently had a transbrake solenoid fail. We noticed the spring seemed extra stiff while pushing the plunger in, not sure if that's what caused it to burn out......I was told you really don't need the spring as the pressure will push the plunger out. My question, how much will this affect reaction time?? Would switching to a softer spring be better than none??

07-27-2014, 10:06 PM	#2
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,442 Likes: 795 Liked 719 Times in 210 Posts	Re: transbrake solenoid spring What brand valve body ? And is it a pressure release valve body ? Most pro tree brake springs are weak and are only there to let the driver hear the brake work . The only exception is the ATI brake has a fairly stiff spring . Pull the valve out and remove the spring and make sure the valve moves freely . __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

07-27-2014, 10:42 PM	#3
J&S Racing Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 280 Likes: 102 Liked 309 Times in 80 Posts	Re: transbrake solenoid spring Thank you for the reply!!! Im not sure the make of valve body, all I do know its a JW case and JW solenoid. When taken out, the plunger moves freely. Im 99.9% sure there is a electrical problem with the solenoid as we have had the same issues with the old mans solenoid in the past.... This rail hasn't run in a few years..... First 3 passes no issues. On 4th pass transbrake didn't hold. At first I wasn't sure I had it fully in first but during sat warm up I went to put some heat in the converter and it didn't hold again. ( I knew better, I should have changed it then!!!!) Seemed fine first pass but did the same thing 1st round.( Sure I was fully in first this time, lol )... A few friends stopped by and noticed the plunger seemed to have a very still spring.

08-05-2014, 11:20 PM	#4
Bill Baer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nothern IL Posts: 596 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: transbrake solenoid spring Make sure it's in low gear ! if something is amiss with the shifter, cable The shift lever or the comb/detent in the trans . If it pops into high the brake doesn't work or hold, even if the the solenoid and valve body are working properly. So verify that it's in low gear in the trans. Had simular problem due to a mismatched shifter/ shift lever. Car would occasionally pop in to high gear and leave as soon as I stomped the gas while I had the button held down? Very frustrating as you well know. __________________ Bill Baer 3391 SC, 339B SC, QR Last edited by Bill Baer; 08-05-2014 at 11:22 PM.

08-06-2014, 11:55 AM	#5
Charlie Yannetti Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 562 Likes: 183 Liked 184 Times in 80 Posts	Re: transbrake solenoid spring Hopefully, it is as simple as a spring.. but knowing what you went through with the trans last week, I would go with Tom Goldman and find out what valve body is actually in it.. might not be the one for your application.. unfortunately, you will have to re-seal that pan again.. UGH!!!!!!

08-06-2014, 02:54 PM	#6
J&S Racing Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 280 Likes: 102 Liked 309 Times in 80 Posts	Re: transbrake solenoid spring The answer to my original question... Taking out the spring made no change in reaction time, I was still able to get a .001/ .005 and -.003 in second round. The problem in NH wasn't " a driver that has no idea what he is doing" ....just a bad solenoid.

08-19-2014, 01:34 PM	#7
Charlie Yannetti Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alpine, NJ Posts: 562 Likes: 183 Liked 184 Times in 80 Posts	Re: transbrake solenoid spring "A driver that has no idea what he is doing"???.. I can only imagine where that came from... LOL!!!