I have a 90 plymouth acclaim--2.5L--3 speed automatic--non turbo. It showed a code 37. I guess that is the PTU solenoid. Some info showed the PTU solenoid to be on the passenger side fender-well, there are a couple of solenoids on that side, they have an electrical connector and vacuum lines. I was told the pTU solenoid has no vacuum lines, so now I'm confused. Where is the PTU solenoid? I don't think my converter is locking-up. thanks
code 37
Aug 11, 2003
2 Replies
If it had one, the PTU solenoid would be in the transmission.
Not all FWD 3 speed transaxles had a PTU solenoid, but the SMECs used had the programming regardless of whether the vehicle was so equiped or not, so it is very possible that your code 37 is a false code. Also, there was a TSB issued back around 1990 for disabling the PTU circuitry to improve driveability (amounted to un-plugging the connector from the transaxle).
If there is an electrical connector behind the dipstick hole on the transaxle, it is equiped with a PTU solenoid.
Thanks for the info Neil & Daniel. It does have a connector by the transaxle dip-stik. I've only driven the vehicle once and I couldn't feel the converter lock or unlock, plus the code. My guess is it never locks and I wondered what that would do to the transaxle and gas mileage. You folks have answered both questions, so I'm not going to worry. There are no driveability issues. thanks
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