Ive been told that certain tests can be done at the tranny electrical connection to test shift solinoids etc.. I can imagine testing the pins on the harness end should be pretty simple but how hard or easy is it to test the female contacts on the tranny side of the connection? I'm visualizing this...the truck will be on jacks, I'll be up under the tranny on my back with an ohm meter trying to make good contact across electrical contacts that the pins in the harness connect to and that are facing skyward or away from me.. has anyone done this and is there an easy way to go about it for a do-it-yourself trouble shooter?

 

As a general rule of thumb to test the solenoids. Test them both with Ω readings. They should both be very close to each other. Exact match is prefered. A manual will give you the exact readings but the readings are temperature sensitive.
Alan

 

thanks I've got the data on what's good resistance readings on the shift solenoids i'm just wondering if there is a trick or technique to getting the ohm meter probes on the contacts while on my back and everything facing upwards and away from me or is there enough room to get one's eyes up high enough to look down into the connection to see the connector points to be tested?

 

One trick to make it easier to check the solenoids is to find some small gauge wire that will fit into each socket, cut the wire into 6" lengths and strip each end then stick a wire in each socket now you can take your measurements on the pigtails.
The easiest way to take the ohm readings is to trace the wire loom up under the hood and separate the wires in an easy to reach place, then use the leads in my test lead kit that clamps around the wire and presses a small needle through the insulation making contact with the conductor, after you have your readings seal the tiny hole with a dot of contact cement.
If you are troubleshooting a transmission problem you might as well drain the fluid and drop the transmission pan. That way you can check the valve body and then you can check the solenoid pack by disconnecting the wires inside the transmission.