'K., thrillseekers, I am about to replace the S5 solenoid in my gearbo (EL). I have practiced on a stuffed g'box (EA/B/D)and it seems pretty straightforward.

drain g'box & remove pan

Remove filter

Remove manual link thingy

disconnect solenoid wiring....including earth to S5

undo bolts to valve body.....two lengths of bolts, short and long

lower valve body, disconnecting remaining manual link

replace S5

clean off all the crap from the surfaces

Refit valve body, with locating pin and re-connecting manual link.

Reconnect manual thingy

replace bolts and Torque to specs (12 Nm)

Refit filter

Pan refit

Re fill with tranny fluid

Anything I have forgotten????

Anything I should be aware of???

Cherrs

New filter whilst you're at it. When refilling the tranny fluid and it has started flowing out the fill point, start the car and change gears and top up. Then keep the car running till the tranny gets warm and top up again if needed. Make sure you don't overfill though.

I have heard you can flash the connector on the solenoids with a ciggy lighter prior to removing them to prevent them breaking. Not sure if it works or safe.

Thanks for those two, I managed to remove the connectors by using a small screwdriver between the connector and the solenoid/s. It seemed to work ok. However, if something breaks, I do have a spare tranny.

just a revisit to this thread: operation a raging success!!! Don't know why I paid someone $450 last time (it wasn't my car this time) It was a pieth of pith to do. Didn't take the valve body right out, just undid the bolts but the last one and let it hang, and slid the solenoid out

Cost: Solenoid; $190
got a BA on apparently they are better, but it needs a modified bracket, easy to do

oil: $35

reused the filter and gasket as they had only been in there for two weeks

So there you have it $225

It's Like a brand new gearbox