I have a 1996 Caravan that needs a new solenoid, but i dont know if I have a 3 or 4 speed. How do I find that out, as well as where the identifying numbers on it are at?

 

What size engine you have?

 

Being you have a 1996 with a 3.0 you do not have a transmission solenoid pack. The only solenoid you have is torque converter lockup. So you have a 3 speed.

 

is the shift pattern a D with a circle around it? then u have an O/D unit
my 96 also has a button to disable the O/D near the headlight buttons. if those 2 clues are not present then you may have a non O/D unit

 

Interesting, it started shifting ireguraly then I took it into a tranny type & they said bad solenoid, $350.00 - what do you think? I am starting to think it is simpler then they are saying & just want my cash.

 

I already told you what I know (not think). You don't have an overdrive transmission. 1996 and 1997 3.0 minivans only came with a 3speed transmission!!! The only solenoid your transmission has is a torque converter clutch solenoid which wouldn't affect irregular shifting. So spending $350 for a shift solenoid would be completely foolish!

 

I agree with you man, I double checked & the tranny is deffinetly not an overdrive unit. I am about to get this van in trade from a friend of mine. The local tranny shop told her it is a solenoid pack going out, so they are the ones that started this whole misconception. I am going to copy & paste an email from her describing the tranny issue & maybe you guys can elaborate on what you think it is & how to fix it. - .I can b driving or just sitting @a stop sign and I can feel it shift rather hard, then it won't shift again after that. I've tried letting off the gas to try to help it shift n it doesn't help. It doesn't do it with any predictability. Only occasionally. My fluid levels are fine.