Red wire on the shift solenoid

Tiny
DODGEPODGE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 DODGE CARAVAN
  • 3.3L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Should it be hot all the time or would it be a different wire?
Monday, February 20th, 2017 AT 3:16 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
There are multiple red wires. The one feeding the solenoid pack gets twelve volts from the transmission control relay. That gets turned on at the same time as the automatic shutdown, (ASD) relay turns on.

What kind of problem are you trying to solve?
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Monday, February 20th, 2017 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
DODGEPODGE
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There might be multiple red wires but not going to the shift solenoid. There is only one red wire going to the shift solenoid connector on mine. And it is not hot. So where is the ASD and how do I check it? Where is it located? What purpose does it serve? Thanks
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Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
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The Engine Computer turns on the automatic shutdown, (ASD) relay for one second when the ignition switch is turned on, then again during engine rotation, (cranking or running). That relay sends current to the ignition coil(s), injectors, alternator field, oxygen sensor heaters, and fuel pump or pump relay. The computer knows the engine is rotating by the signal pulses it receives from the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft position sensor.

If a fuel line is ruptured in a crash, there will be no fuel pressure, and the engine will stall. Once stalled, there will be no signal pulses, so the computer will turn the ASD relay off. That stops the fuel pump from dumping raw fuel onto the ground where it would create a fire hazard.

If the engine runs, the ASD circuit is working, and there's nothing to check there.
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Tuesday, February 21st, 2017 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
DODGEPODGE
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I dont know why you mentioned the asd in the same sentence as the trans control relay? That confused me. I'm trying to figure out why the red wire to the trans shift solenoid is not hot? And if thats not hot thats why my shift solenoid is'nt working and trans isnt shifting.I tried switching out the relay with another one and that did'nt solve the problem. So i'm baffled here?
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Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
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You asked how to check the ASD relay. I told you it's working if the engine runs, and I added why it's used and how it works. It is turned on at the same time as the transmission control relay, and by the same circuit. The red wire you asked about gets 12 volts switched onto it by the transmission control relay.
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Thursday, February 23rd, 2017 AT 5:21 PM

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