P0773: How to Diagnose & Fix — Shift Solenoid "E" Electrical
2 vehicles · 2 makes · $1,400-$5,000 repair
How to diagnose and fix P0773: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Lexus RX · 2000–2003
Early first-generation RX300 models are well known for premature automatic transmission failure, especially on AWD vehicles but also on FWD examples. Owners report delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, harsh shifting, slipping on acceleration, and eventual loss of movement; teardown reports commonly cite burned clutches and damaged planetary gear components. The issue is widely documented in owner communities, repair databases, and NHTSA complaints, and is often attributed to a transmission that runs hot and is heavily stressed by vehicle weight.
Common Symptoms
- Delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse
- Harsh 1-2 or 2-3 shifts
- Transmission slipping under load
- Engine revs increase with little vehicle movement
- Burnt transmission fluid smell
- Vehicle eventually will not move
How to Fix
Diagnosis usually starts with checking fluid condition, line pressure behavior, and whether engagement delay or flare shifts are present when warm. In most cases, fluid changes do not cure an already failing unit; the durable fix is a quality rebuild or replacement transmission, often with updated hard parts and careful inspection of the cooler and valve body. Many owners also add an auxiliary transmission cooler after replacement to reduce repeat failures.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipIf replacing the transmission, owners commonly recommend installing an external transmission cooler and fully flushing cooler lines to avoid contaminating the rebuilt unit.
- TipUse Toyota Type T-IV compatible fluid and avoid generic fluid mixes on these early Aisin units.
Sources for this issue (1)
Toyota Sienna · 1998–2003
The XL10 Sienna used the Aisin U140E (FWD) / U140F (AWD) four-speed automatic. On high-mileage vans the valve body bores and shift solenoids wear, line pressure falls off, and the transaxle first flares between gears, then slips, then loses forward movement entirely. Shift solenoid E failure is a recognized failure mode across the whole U140 family (Camry, Avalon, Sienna). Toyota acknowledged the pattern with a service campaign covering a no-movement/slipping condition of the automatic transaxle. This is a first-generation transaxle - it is not the same unit or the same failure as the XL20 U151E torque-converter shudder or the later UA80E eight-speed.
Common Symptoms
- RPM flare between shifts
- Slipping under load or on hills
- Delayed or no engagement into Drive or Reverse
- Harsh 2-3 shift
- Check engine light with shift solenoid codes
How to Fix
Confirm with a line-pressure test and a scan for shift-solenoid codes before condemning the unit; a single failed solenoid or a worn valve body can sometimes be repaired far cheaper than a full rebuild. Sonnax and similar suppliers sell oversized valve/sleeve kits for the U140 pressure-regulator and lockup bores. Full failure requires rebuild or a used/reman transaxle. Toyota's extended-coverage campaign for the no-movement/slipping condition has long expired. Preventively, drain-and-fill Toyota T-IV every 30-40k miles - these units are unforgiving of burnt fluid.
Sources for this issue (3)
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P0773 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0773 mean?
P0773 stands for "Shift Solenoid "E" Electrical." This code indicates the transmission control module detected an electrical problem in the circuit for shift solenoid E, such as an out-of-range current or voltage. Shift solenoids electronically route transmission fluid to engage gears, so an electrical fault can disrupt shifting. The vehicle may shift harshly, get stuck in a gear, or enter a limp/failsafe mode. The issue is electrical (wiring or the solenoid coil) rather than purely mechanical.
What are the most common causes of P0773?
The most common causes of P0773 are: Failed shift solenoid E (open or shorted coil), Damaged or corroded wiring or connector, Short to power or ground in the solenoid circuit, Low or contaminated transmission fluid affecting the solenoid, Internal transmission harness fault, Faulty transmission control module (less common). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0773?
Repair costs for P0773 range from $1,400 to $5,000, depending on the vehicle and root cause.
Which vehicles are affected by P0773?
Au7o has documented P0773 across 2 vehicle models from 2 manufacturers: Lexus, Toyota.
Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.