44RE Solenoid Kit 1996-99, new and ready to install. Fits the 44RE. Ships fast from the USA.
This 44RE solenoid kit is the focused four-piece electronics set for 1996-99 A500-family transmissions: the 42RE and 44RE behind the inline-six and V6 engines in Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Wrangler and in Dodge Dakota and Durango. It is for the driver whose Jeep suddenly launches in third and feels gutless off the line, shifts late and hard one day and early the next, sets P1762 or P1763, or has quit going into overdrive. Rather than a full service bundle, you get the four parts that actually make up the electronic governor and overdrive circuits, new, and shipped from the USA.
The kit is cross-referenced to part numbers 22954B, 22958 and 22955 (interchange 12432A, 12415B and 12420B). No filter or pan gasket is included, so add those if your pan is not already apart.
From 1996 the RE units dropped the mechanical output-shaft governor. The computer now builds governor pressure itself: it duty-cycles the governor pressure solenoid, and the higher the duty cycle, the more mainline oil is exhausted and the lower governor pressure falls. Switch the solenoid off and governor pressure goes to full line pressure. That pressure is what moves the 1-2 and 2-3 shift valves, so if the computer loses control of it, the transmission shifts on its own schedule. The transducer closes the loop by reporting the pressure that actually arrived, and it also carries the fluid temperature sensor. Above third, the overdrive solenoid commands the 3-4 shift and the lockup solenoid applies the converter clutch, both on one bracket fed through the internal harness from the case connector.
A sensor code is not proof the sensor is dead. Check the 5-volt reference and ground at the transducer connector and the case connector pins for fluid wicking before buying parts. Then put a gauge on the governor port: ATRA says pressure should read about zero at a stop and rise almost in step with road speed. The solenoid itself should measure about 3.8-4.0 ohms at room temperature. If the governor numbers are good but there is still no fourth or no lockup, focus on the overdrive and lockup solenoids. Our governor pressure solenoid symptoms guide and converter lockup guide cover the same RE-series system step by step.
Listed for 42RE, 44RE, 46RE, 47RE and 48RE (A500/A518/A618) in the 1996-99 years. The deciding detail is the transducer connector: Sonnax identifies the early sensor used through 1999 by its oval connector, while the 2000-and-later sensor is rectangular plastic and is not supplied here. Valve bodies get swapped, so compare the connector on your old sensor rather than trusting the model year alone. If anything is unclear, send us your year and VIN. Other years and parts are on the 44RE parts page.
Drop the pan and filter to reach the governor body on the valve body. Replace the governor solenoid and transducer with the new body gasket and snug the governor body screws evenly, since a warped or loose body cross-leaks and mimics a bad solenoid. The overdrive and lockup assembly bolts to the valve body and plugs into the internal harness; route the harness away from the filter and pan. Install a new filter and pan gasket, refill with ATF+4, clear codes and road test with a scan tool watching governor pressure. If the readings still wander, the governor circuit in the valve body is worn and a Sonnax-updated 1997-1999 valve body is the cure. Rebuilding the whole unit? Start with a 44RE master rebuild kit.
| Fits | 44RE 1996-99 |
| Part type | Solenoid Kit |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | A500 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
This is the four-piece electronics set: governor solenoid, governor pressure sensor, overdrive and lockup solenoid assembly, and governor body gasket. It does not include the filter, pan gaskets, speed sensor or hydraulic upgrade springs found in the bigger service kits.
Not as a direct swap. 2000-and-later units use a rectangular plastic governor pressure sensor, and this kit carries the early oval-connector sensor used through 1999. Check the connector on your old sensor or send us your VIN.
Often, but test first. A third-gear start is the failsafe when the computer loses governor control. Check the sensor 5-volt reference, ground and connector before replacing; if those are good, the sensor and solenoid in this kit are the usual cure.
No programming is required. Clear the codes and road test; the computer reads the new sensor on its own. Watch governor pressure with a scan tool to confirm it sits near zero at a stop.
ATF+4. Refill to the correct level on the dipstick with the engine running and the fluid warm.
