Shift solenoid

Where is it located on my truck. How much does it cost?

 

It's on the transmission valve body right above the transmission pan. Pretty easy to change, messy, but easy. What makes you think you need one?

 

My check engine light came on. I went to AutoZone, they did a scan, the scan came back that I need a new catalytic convertor, O2 sensor and a shift solenoid.

 

Codes don't really tell you what exactly needs to be changed, they just hint at where a problem is occurring. So the o2 sensor might need replacing but if it was reading wrong how could it know your cat was bad... See what I'm saying. Same idea with the shift solenoid, it may have gone bad (rare but possible) or it could have a wiring issue or a computer control issue. You have a rough idea of what your issues are but not enough to go winging parts at it. I'd take your new recommendations (anything from the mouth breathers at the parts store should only be taken as such, remember they're there to sell you stuff) and either research how to further narrow down the problem or see if a local mechanic will diagnose for a reasonable fee. That might save you the cost of at least 2 expensive parts and 1 cheap part that might not solve the issue.

 

^^^ agreed. Money spent with a good tech diagnosing the problems is well worth the cost. Did they write the codes down for you? If the Code was a P0135, heater circuit for the AF/O2 sensor she just might need a sensor or a fuse, not 100% sure if the o2 heater circuit is a separate fuse or not. The combined readings of the sensor(s) in front and the sensor(s) behind the catalytic convertor(s) are used to determine IF the catalytic convertor is functioning properly, so, putting in a replacement AF/o2 sensor just might make the p0420 code go away too.

 

What issues would your truck be displaying is you did need to replace the shift solenoid?

 

Thanks to @gearcruncher , here is everything you ever need/want to know about the A/Ts in a 1st gen Tacomas. There is a link to which you can enter your VIN to determine exactly which variation is in your truck.

https://tinyurl.com/y8smfqq4

He may also have input into your symptoms.