MajorCommonTransmission

Nissan Skyline: R33 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Shift Solenoid Wear

R33 4-Speed Automatic Transmission Shift Solenoid Wear is a common transmission fault on the Nissan Skyline on the 1993–1998 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $900 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 41 documented faults on the Nissan Skyline.

Vehicle: Nissan Skyline
Years: 1993–1998
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Nissan Skyline as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan Skyline faults41 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Mechatronic / valve body yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

R33 Skylines fitted with the RE4R01A 4-speed automatic transmission develop shift solenoid wear at high kilometres, causing erratic or harsh gear changes, failure to shift at the correct engine speed, or the transmission defaulting to third-gear limp mode. The solenoids are responsible for controlling hydraulic pressure in each gear circuit and harden with heat cycling and age. Transmission fluid condition is critical — dark, burnt fluid accelerates solenoid and valve body wear. Many R33 autos arrive in NZ with neglected fluid, making this a common finding on inspection.

What you would notice

Harsh, jerky, or delayed gear changes
Transmission stuck in third gear (limp mode)
Slip between changes especially 1-2 shift
Dark or burnt-smelling transmission fluid
Check Engine or AT warning light

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic transmission under the car, with shift solenoids inside the valve body accessible via transmission sump pan removal

Check the transmission fluid via the dipstick — fluid should be pink/red and odourless; black or burnt-smelling fluid indicates neglect.
Drive the car through all gear ranges, noting shift quality and timing.
Watch for any hesitation, flare (engine revs rise without vehicle acceleration) or shudder on the 1-2 upshift.
Request any OBD fault codes.

Parts involved: Mechatronic / valve body.

What it costs to put right

$900 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the automatic transmission fluid ever been changed?”
“Are gear changes smooth across all ranges?”
“Has any transmission warning light appeared?”

Now check the Nissan Skyline you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Nissan Skyline buyer questions

Is r33 4-speed automatic transmission shift solenoid wear serious on a Nissan Skyline?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Skyline. R33 Skylines fitted with the RE4R01A 4-speed automatic transmission develop shift solenoid wear at high kilometres, causing erratic or harsh gear changes, failure to shift at the correct engine speed, or the transmission defaulting to third-gear limp mode. The solenoids are responsible for controlling hydraulic pressure in each gear circuit and harden with heat cycling and age. Transmission fluid condition is critical — dark, burnt fluid accelerates solenoid and valve body wear. Many R33 autos arrive in NZ with neglected fluid, making this a common finding on inspection.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Skyline?

$900 to $3,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan Skyline years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1993–1998 Nissan Skyline. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Check the transmission fluid via the dipstick — fluid should be pink/red and odourless; black or burnt-smelling fluid indicates neglect. Drive the car through all gear ranges, noting shift quality and timing. Watch for any hesitation, flare (engine revs rise without vehicle acceleration) or shudder on the 1-2 upshift. Request any OBD fault codes. Look here: Automatic transmission under the car, with shift solenoids inside the valve body accessible via transmission sump pan removal