A loose, corroded, or damaged electrical connector at the shift solenoid H or the transmission case pass-through.; Chafed, pinched, or broken wires in the solenoid H circuit, often near heat sources or moving components.; Internal contamination or debris in the transmission valve body causing the solenoid to stick or operate intermittently.; A failing shift solenoid H itself, where the coil winding is breaking down intermittently with heat or vibration.; Low or degraded transmission fluid, which can affect solenoid operation and hydraulic pressure.; A faulty transmission control module (TCM) or poor ground connection, though this is less common.; Damage to the internal wiring harness inside the transmission pan from fluid exposure or physical stress.

DTC codes / P07xx · Transmission / P076E

P076EShift Solenoid H Intermittent

Q: What does code P076E mean?

Shift Solenoid H Intermittent. P076E indicates that the transmission control module (TCM) has detected an intermittent electrical fault in the circuit for shift solenoid H, which is one of the solenoids that controls gear shifts inside the automatic transmission. The TCM monitors the solenoid's electrical current and sees it momentarily drop out or spike, meaning the circuit is not consistently completing or is shorting, rather than failing completely.

P076E indicates that the transmission control module (TCM) has detected an intermittent electrical fault in the circuit for shift solenoid H, which is one of the solenoids that controls gear shifts inside the automatic transmission. The TCM monitors the solenoid's electrical current and sees it momentarily drop out or spike, meaning the circuit is not consistently completing or is shorting, rather than failing completely.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaTransmission

Symptoms you may notice

The check engine light or transmission warning light illuminates on the dashboard.
The transmission may hesitate, slip, or shift harshly when changing gears.
Intermittent loss of certain gears or a sudden downshift while driving.
The transmission may enter limp mode, limiting vehicle speed and gear selection.
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is very brief.
Rough or delayed engagement when shifting from park to drive or reverse.

Common causes, most likely first

A loose, corroded, or damaged electrical connector at the shift solenoid H or the transmission case pass-through.
Chafed, pinched, or broken wires in the solenoid H circuit, often near heat sources or moving components.
Internal contamination or debris in the transmission valve body causing the solenoid to stick or operate intermittently.
A failing shift solenoid H itself, where the coil winding is breaking down intermittently with heat or vibration.
Low or degraded transmission fluid, which can affect solenoid operation and hydraulic pressure.
A faulty transmission control module (TCM) or poor ground connection, though this is less common.
Damage to the internal wiring harness inside the transmission pan from fluid exposure or physical stress.

How to diagnose and fix it

Check the transmission fluid level and condition; top off or replace fluid if it is low or burnt.
Inspect the external wiring harness and connector at the transmission for corrosion, loose pins, or chafing, and repair as needed.
Use a scan tool to command shift solenoid H on and off while monitoring circuit voltage or current to confirm the intermittent fault.
Measure the resistance of shift solenoid H at the connector and compare it to the manufacturer's specification; replace the solenoid if out of range.
Remove the transmission pan and inspect the internal harness and solenoid for damage or debris; clean or replace components as necessary.
If the solenoid and wiring check out, test the TCM outputs and ground circuits for intermittent opens or shorts.
After repairs, clear the codes and perform a road test to verify the transmission shifts correctly and the code does not return.

Intermittent faults hide in plain sight

An intermittent code like P076E often sets due to a poor connection that only acts up under specific conditions such as vibration, temperature swings, or moisture, so a visual inspection of connectors and harness routing is critical.
Many technicians replace the solenoid H immediately, but the root cause is frequently a chafed wire or corroded pin that will destroy the new solenoid if not addressed.
The TCM may set P076E without ever illuminating the check engine light if the fault is brief; always check for pending codes when diagnosing transmission complaints.
Transmission fluid that is overdue for service can cause solenoid sticking and intermittent operation, so fluid condition should be assessed before condemning electrical parts.
A failing transmission control module can mimic a solenoid circuit fault, so testing the TCM output signal with a scope or load tester is the final step before replacement.

Can I keep driving with P076E?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration or heavy loads because the transmission may shift unpredictably or enter limp mode. If the transmission slips severely or refuses to engage gears, stop driving and have it towed to prevent internal damage.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.