A cartridge valve comprises an elongate housing defining an interior chamber. A port end of the chamber comprises an end port and a plurality of axially spaced side openings define first, second and third side ports. An axial opposite end comprises a sleeve end receivable in a solenoid, in use, and a spring chamber intermediate the port end and the sleeve end. A valve member is movable in the chamber at the port end between a neutral position and opposite first and second actuated positions for selectively controlling fluid flow between the end port and the side ports. A solenoid plunger is movable in the sleeve end of the interior chamber. First and second springs in the spring chamber effectively provide a bias force to the valve member for creating a non-symmetrical force pattern for push and pull movement of the valve member.