4L30E Pressure Control Solenoid, new and ready to install. Fits the 4L30E. Ships fast from the USA.
Harsh engagements, soft and late upshifts, or a 4L30E that suddenly holds one gear with the warning light on are the complaints that lead most owners of a 1990s Isuzu Trooper, Rodeo or Amigo, Honda Passport, Cadillac Catera or BMW 3 Series, 5 Series or Z3 automatic to this part. This is a new pressure control solenoid for the GM 4L30E, the style GM calls a force motor: a short black can about an inch and a half across, two flat blade terminals on the end and a spool valve on the nose, as the photo shows. The listing references GM/ACDelco service number 24220158. Parts catalogs also list that number as the pressure control solenoid for 4L80E-equipped P30 and P3500 chassis, which makes sense, because GM used the same force motor design across the 4L30E, 4L60E and 4L80E in the 1990s.
The 4L30E has no throttle valve cable. Line pressure is set electronically: the transmission controller sends a varying current to this force motor, the coil pulls the spool against its spring, and the regulated oil it produces pushes on the pressure regulator valve. Low current means high line pressure, so if the circuit opens or the controller sees a fault, the transmission defaults to maximum pressure and firm shifts rather than slipping. The 1990s 4L30E solenoid set is five parts: a band apply PWM solenoid, a 1-2/3-4 shift solenoid, a 2-3 shift solenoid, the TCC lockup solenoid and this pressure control force motor. Only this one changes how hard the clutches and band are squeezed; the others decide which gear and when.
Check the fluid first. Dark fluid with band or clutch material in the pan is a mechanical problem a solenoid will not cure. If the fluid is clean, read codes, then measure the force motor circuit at the transmission connector for resistance and shorts to ground with our multimeter solenoid test. A coil can measure correctly and still have a spool that hangs, so the strongest proof is a gauge on the line pressure tap while the commanded current changes, as described in our line pressure guide. Because this is the same force motor family, our 4L60E EPC solenoid article is a good read on how these units wear.
This listing has no year range, so here is how to place it. The 1.5 inch force motor with the connector on the end is the 4L30E pressure control solenoid for the 1990 through 1999 model years. Starting with the 2000 model year the 4L30E moved to a different, smaller pressure control solenoid, so a 2000-2004 Rodeo, Trooper, Passport, Catera or BMW needs our 2000-up 4L30E pressure control solenoid instead. Even within the 1990s the 4L30E was built for several automakers with different adapter cases and harnesses, so pull your old solenoid and compare the can, terminal layout and spool length against the photo, or send us your year and VIN before ordering and we will check it.
The force motor sits on the valve body under the oil pan. Drain the fluid, drop the pan and filter, unplug the solenoid and remove its retaining bracket, then pull it straight out of its bore. Look into the bore and at the old spool for scoring or varnish; a worn bore leaks the same signal oil a bad solenoid would. Lubricate the new O-ring with clean ATF and seat it fully before refitting the bracket. Since the pan is already down, install a fresh 4L30E filter and pan gasket kit, refill with the ATF your owner's manual specifies, and check the level hot. If testing showed more than one bad circuit, the complete 1990-99 4L30E solenoid kit includes this force motor plus the shift, band and TCC solenoids. Finish with a line pressure check and a road test through every gear.
| Fits | 4L30E |
| Part type | Pressure Control Solenoid |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | OEM |
| Reference | 24220158 |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. From the 2000 model year the 4L30E uses a different, smaller pressure control solenoid. This force motor is for 1990-1999 units; 2000-up vehicles need the 2000-up 4L30E pressure control solenoid listing.
It is the same GM force motor design, and parts catalogs list one aftermarket number for the 1990-99 4L30E, 1993-2002 4L60E and 1994-2003 4L80E. Compare your old part against the photo to be sure your unit has the end-mounted connector.
Most often harsh engagement and firm, banging shifts, because the controller defaults to high pressure when the circuit fails. A sticking spool can instead cause soft, flared shifts that get worse when the fluid is hot.
Only if testing points at them. If the fluid is clean and only the pressure circuit is faulty, this single part is the repair. If several circuits fail or the unit has high mileage, the 1990-99 solenoid kit covers all five.
Clear any stored codes and road test. On OBD-II vehicles, let the controller relearn shift feel over a few drive cycles; disconnecting the battery clears learned values on many models.
