MajorCommonTransmission

Toyota Mark II: A341E/A340E solenoid wear & clutch pack slip

A341E/A340E solenoid wear & clutch pack slip is a common transmission fault on the Toyota Mark II on the 1996–2001 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,200 to $6,500 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 22 documented faults on the Toyota Mark II.

Vehicle: Toyota Mark II
Years: 1996–2001
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

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

All Toyota Mark II faults22 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the Clutch yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The four-speed A341E (JZX100) and A340E automatics use shift solenoids (S1/S2/S3) and a linear solenoid for line pressure control. Over time and with infrequent ATF changes, varnish deposits cause solenoid plungers to stick or develop inconsistent travel, producing erratic shift timing. Simultaneously, clutch pack clearances grow as friction material wears; low ATF pressure from a sticky linear solenoid fails to apply the clutches firmly, causing slip under load. Third-to-fourth shift is typically the first to show slip. The accumulator pistons also develop O-ring weep, dropping apply pressure. Fluid degradation accelerates all wear mechanisms — many JZX100 units still run original ATF at 150,000+ km.

What you would notice

Flare or slip between 3rd and 4th gear under moderate throttle
Harsh or delayed upshifts when cold
Transmission hunting between gears on light throttle
Check engine light with codes P0750-P0755 (shift solenoid) or P0743
ATF smells burnt or is dark brown rather than red

How to check it

Where to look. Automatic transmission case, right-hand side solenoid block and valve body

Check ATF colour, level, and smell on dipstick; scan for transmission fault codes; road test with data logger on line pressure if possible; inspect for ATF leaks at solenoid wiring loom plug on transmission case; ask for full service history regarding ATF changes.

Parts involved: Clutch.

What it costs to put right

$2,200 to $6,500 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 ATF ever been changed and with what fluid?”
“Are there any stored transmission fault codes?”
“Does the gearbox shift smoothly through all four gears under load?”
“Has the transmission been rebuilt or had any work done?”

Now check the Toyota Mark II 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.

Toyota Mark II buyer questions

Is a341e/a340e solenoid wear & clutch pack slip serious on a Toyota Mark II?

We rate it major and common on the Toyota Mark II. The four-speed A341E (JZX100) and A340E automatics use shift solenoids (S1/S2/S3) and a linear solenoid for line pressure control. Over time and with infrequent ATF changes, varnish deposits cause solenoid plungers to stick or develop inconsistent travel, producing erratic shift timing. Simultaneously, clutch pack clearances grow as friction material wears; low ATF pressure from a sticky linear solenoid fails to apply the clutches firmly, causing slip under load. Third-to-fourth shift is typically the first to show slip. The accumulator pistons also develop O-ring weep, dropping apply pressure. Fluid degradation accelerates all wear mechanisms — many JZX100 units still run original ATF at 150,000+ km.

How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota Mark II?

$2,200 to $6,500 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 Toyota Mark II years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 1996–2001 Toyota Mark II. 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.