2000 SLS 135K miles.. overdrive is inoperable due to TCC solenoid stuck in off position. Will it harm the transmission to continue driving until I can afford to get this repaired? Any idea of the fair price for the repair? Thanks to all for the advice.

No it won't harm anything but your fuel milage, and then only by about a GPM. It just means that the torque converter is not locking up at 41 MPH, so there is a little slippage, thus your RPM's will be a couple of hundred higher at any given speed.

I think the trans has to come out to get at the solenoid so it ain't gonna be cheap.

keep in mind too that you may not have to pull the trans to fix the problem, there are other things that can cause this to happen, you might be able to put in an updated prom chip in the computer that allows for higher slip tolerances in the converter, as the converter ages, there is more slip, hence the need to have a prom with higher slip tolerances. Also it is possible a bad tps sensor can trip a tcc code, once the code is tripped the tcc will not operate until the computer is reset. The best way make sure the computer is authorizing the tcc to engage is put the car in the diagnostic mode and drive over 41 mph and see it the defog symbol on the a/c display comes on over 41 mph, if it does and you dont feel the tcc engage, you more than likely do need a tcc soliniod, if not the problem lies elsewhere. It is possible too there is a wiring problem in the brake light circuitry, these things get very complicated.

Check the top of the brake pedal. There should be two switches there. One is for the brake lights and the other is the cruise and TCC disengage switch. Maybe it is misadjusted, but I would think if that is the case, your cruise would not work either.

i looked at the year of your car and realized it is orb2 so you cant replace the prom like you can 1995 and below. The dealer might offer re-programming of the computer though to widen the TCC Tolerances before it trips the light and activates the code, try putting the car in diagnositic mode and clear all the codes and see if the tcc locks up then while in diagnostic with the codes cleared, if you does at least you know your tcc solinoid is still good, go should be able to feel it lockup at 41 mph and the defog symbol should come on the display. Mine works like a charm in diagnosic mode, but when it is put back out of diagnostic it pulls a code 39, need to get mine reprogrammed. Keep in mind though re-programming is generally temporary because as the torque converter wears more, eventually it will go out of even the increased tolerances, but you might be able to get another year or two out of it this way. Worst comes to worse, just put a peice of black tape over the check engine light, no harm driving the car this way, just worse gas mileage.

Thanks..how do I put the car in diagnostic mode? Also how do I clear all the codes on the display....also, anyone had this repaired??

Go to the Tech Tips section. There is a "Stickey" at the top that explaines how to enter the diagnostics and how to clear codes.

I have this error code as well, but it is listed as history and not current. Does that mean it is still an issue, or just something that flagged at one time and is no longer a problem so it changed the status to history from current?

I have this error code as well, but it is listed as history and not current. Does that mean it is still an issue, or just something that flagged at one time and is no longer a problem so it changed the status to history from current?
Be carefull when doing this, but put the system into diagnostics at a speed above 41 MPH and see if it is current then. If not, then clear it and see if it returns.

Is there a certain trigger that changes a code's status from current to history? Like after 30 days or once it runs another diag cycle and doesn't find the error again?

where can I get an upgraded prom chip for my 95 STS and how much should I expect to pay?

Is there a certain trigger that changes a code's status from current to history? Like after 30 days or once it runs another diag cycle and doesn't find the error again?
Most DTC's go into history after 3 ignition cycles with no fault detected. After 50 ignition cycles with no fault detected, they are cleared. There are some I believe that show current only when current. That is why I suggested running the diagnostics when the TCC should be requested at above 41 MPH to see if it goes current. If not, then clear it and see if it returnes.

where can I get an upgraded prom chip for my 95 STS and how much should I expect to pay?

I would check with the Caddy dealer and see what they say.