01 Activists Using Cones to Disable Self-Driving Cars in San F… • 02 How to Reset a Car Computer After Replacing the Battery • 03 Why Your Car Suddenly Feels Slower Even Though Nothing Seem… • 04 P0482 – Cooling Fan Relay 3 Fault: Engine Temperature Issues • 05 The Latest Advances in 3D Printing: How This Technology is … • 06 P0016 - Crankshaft Position Camshaft Position Correlation B… • 07 Why Does My Car's RPM Go Up and Down at Idle? Causes and So… • 08 How to Find Out How Much Oil Your Car Needs • 09 You Can Tell A Lot About A Car By Listening To Its Engine I… • 10 Is Expensive Oil Worth It? The Truth About Synthetic vs. Se… •

DTC codes / P09xx · Transmission / P0960

P0960Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Control Circuit/Open

P0960 indicates that the transmission control module (TCM) has detected an open circuit on the control wire for pressure control solenoid 'A', which is responsible for regulating hydraulic line pressure inside the automatic transmission. The TCM commands a specific current to the solenoid and monitors the resulting voltage or current feedback; when the circuit is open, the feedback falls outside the expected range, setting this code.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyProfessional
AreaTransmission

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the check engine light or transmission warning light, often with no other noticeable symptoms
  • Harsh or delayed gear shifts as the transmission defaults to a higher line pressure
  • The transmission may enter limp mode, limiting operation to a single gear or a reduced set of gears
  • Slipping or flaring during acceleration if line pressure is not properly controlled
  • A stored code P0960 may be the only sign if the failure is intermittent and does not affect current driving

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Damaged or disconnected wiring harness at the pressure control solenoid 'A' connector
  2. Corroded, bent, or backed-out terminals in the solenoid or TCM connector
  3. Open winding inside the pressure control solenoid 'A' itself
  4. Broken wire within the harness between the TCM and the transmission, often due to chafing or heat damage
  5. Faulty transmission control module (TCM) driver circuit for the solenoid
  6. Poor ground connection for the solenoid circuit, causing an apparent open
  7. Aftermarket electrical accessories improperly tapped into the transmission harness

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Connect a scan tool and verify P0960 is current or pending, then check for related transmission codes and freeze-frame data
  2. Inspect the transmission wiring harness and solenoid connector for physical damage, corrosion, or loose pins
  3. Disconnect the solenoid connector and measure resistance across the solenoid terminals; compare to the manufacturer's specification
  4. Check continuity and resistance of the control wire from the TCM connector to the solenoid connector to confirm an open circuit
  5. If the harness and solenoid test good, substitute a known-good solenoid or perform a bidirectional test with the scan tool to command the solenoid and observe circuit response
  6. Repair or replace the faulty wiring, connector, or solenoid as indicated by test results
  7. Clear codes and perform a road test with the scan tool monitoring pressure control solenoid data to confirm the repair

Open Circuit Checks Before Solenoid Replacement

  • A common misdiagnosis is replacing the pressure control solenoid when the real fault is a chafed wire in the harness near the transmission bell housing or a corroded connector pin.
  • An open circuit can be intermittent, so a solenoid that tests good when cold may still set the code after the transmission reaches operating temperature and expands the faulty connection.
  • The TCM may set P0960 as a result of a low battery or charging system issue that causes a momentary voltage drop, so always check battery and ground integrity first.
  • Some vehicles require a relearn or adaptive reset after repairing the circuit, and skipping this step can leave the transmission shifting poorly even though the code is gone.
  • P0960 does not always mean the solenoid is defective; a shorted or open TCM driver circuit can produce the same code, so testing the TCM output is part of a complete diagnosis.

Can I keep driving with P0960?

You can usually drive the vehicle to a repair shop, but avoid aggressive acceleration or heavy loads because the transmission may be operating at elevated line pressure or in limp mode. If the transmission slips severely or refuses to shift, 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.

Running on fumes Free guides aren't free to make. Top up the tank. Any amount, one time. Fuel the Garage