A960E Transmission Valve Body Assembly with 9 Solenoids

Harsh 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, a flare on the 3-4, a delayed engagement into Drive, or a Lexus IS250, Toyota 86, Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, or Tacoma 2.7L that falls into third-gear failsafe when it gets hot all point to the same assembly: the Aisin A960E valve body and its nine solenoids. This is a complete A960E valve body with all nine solenoids already installed, resistance checked and flow tested, so you are not pulling solenoids off a core and hoping they read in spec.

What the Valve Body Does in an A960E

The A960E is a six-speed rear-wheel-drive automatic built by Aisin, also cataloged as TB-65SN and TB-60NF. Its valve body is the hydraulic control center: line pressure from the pump is routed through precision bores to apply the correct clutch pack for the commanded gear, and the nine solenoids mounted to the valve body modulate that pressure so the shift is smooth rather than abrupt. As the valve body ages, the bores that the solenoids and spool valves ride in wear oversize. Pressure leaks past the clearance, and the transmission control module can no longer deliver the shift it is commanding, which is what produces the harsh and flared shifts this unit is known for.

Symptoms

• Harsh 1-2 or 2-3 upshifts, or a flare (RPM rise without a corresponding shift) on the 3-4
• Delayed engagement into Drive, especially noticeable on a cold start
• Shift solenoid performance codes such as P0751 or P0756, which the module sets when a commanded shift does not produce the expected RPM change
• The transmission limping into a fixed gear, commonly third, once it reaches operating temperature

How to Confirm It Is the Valve Body

Before you order, pull the pan and read the casting number on the valve body you have. This listing is correct only for casting number 8840; a different casting number means a different bore layout and this is the wrong unit regardless of what vehicle it came out of. Confirm the OE part number against the 35250-30XXX series stamped on your old unit, since the suffix changes by model year. If the casting matches and you still have the symptoms and codes above after confirming fluid condition and level, the valve body and solenoid pack are the documented repair.

Fitment

North America fitment for casting 8840 is the Lexus IS250 and IS250C 2006-2015 (RWD and AWD), Toyota 86 and Scion FR-S 2013-2020, Subaru BRZ 2013-2020, Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 2015-2016 (RWD and 4WD), and the Hyundai Genesis 3.3L 2009-2011 RWD. It does not fit the Lexus IS300 2016-2017, which uses the A760H, the GS300 2007-and-up, which uses the A760E, or the 3.8L Genesis. Those units have a different bore layout and a different casting number even though some share the same transmission family name. You can browse the rest of what we stock for Aisin-built automatics on our Aisin transmission parts page.

Install Notes

This is a pan-down job: drain the fluid, pull the pan and filter, unplug the solenoid connector at the case, back out the valve body bolts in a cross pattern, and lower the unit straight down so you do not drop a check ball out of the separator plate. Transfer over only the manual valve link if your unit uses one. Torque the bolts back in stages, install a new filter and pan gasket, and refill with genuine Toyota WS fluid, setting the level with the transmission at the specified temperature window. If your old valve body also had a solenoid or two testing out of spec before you pulled it, our 9-piece solenoid kit is worth having on the shelf as a spare, and a dipstick funnel adapter makes refilling through the fill tube cleaner than pouring from a jug. Clear the stored codes and run the adaptive relearn with a bidirectional scan tool before you road test, since the module needs to re-learn shift timing against the new valve body rather than compensating for the old, worn one.

How do I know if I have the right casting number for this valve body?

Pull the transmission pan and read the casting number stamped on the valve body you are replacing. This listing is built for casting number 8840. A different number means a different bore layout, and this valve body will not be correct for your unit even if the vehicle matches.

Does this fit a Lexus IS300 or GS300?

No. The 2016-2017 IS300 uses the A760H and the GS300 2007-and-up uses the A760E, both different transmissions with a different valve body and bore layout than the A960E covered here.

What codes show up when the A960E valve body wears out?

Shift solenoid performance codes such as P0751 and P0756 are common, along with harsh or flared shifts and a tendency to limp into a fixed gear, often third, once the transmission reaches operating temperature.

What transmission fluid does the A960E use?

Genuine Toyota WS (World Standard) ATF. Refill and set the level with the transmission at the hot-temperature window specified for this fluid rather than checking it cold.

Is this a direct bolt-in with no programming needed?

The valve body and solenoids bolt in directly. After installation, clear the stored codes and run the transmission's adaptive shift relearn with a scan tool so the control module stops compensating for the old unit's wear.