P0890

TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit Low

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0890?

The engine runs, but an unreliable power relay feed can cause sudden shifting problems, so limit driving until it's diagnosed.

Q: Can I just clear P0890?

It will clear, but the low sense-circuit reading returns until the relay or wiring is repaired.

Transmission / TCM power supply Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0890 means the transmission control module reads a lower-than-expected voltage on the circuit that senses whether its power relay is on. If the module can't confirm its relay is supplying power, it may shift erratically or drop into limp mode. The engine still starts and runs — this is a transmission power-relay sensing fault, not an engine problem.

Medium

Can I keep driving? The engine starts, but the transmission may shift erratically or hold one gear — have it checked promptly.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Erratic shifting
Transmission fails to shift or is stuck in one gear
Transmission may enter limp mode

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty TCM power relayLikely
Damaged or corroded wiring in the power relay sense circuitCommon
Loose or corroded connectorsCommon
Failed transmission control module (rare)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the TCM power relay and its connector for corrosion or a low/open sense line.
Check the relay sense circuit for a short to ground or high resistance with a multimeter.
Test the relay itself for correct switching, and confirm the sense line reflects relay state.
Replace the power relay if faulty; replace the TCM only if wiring and relay test good. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0890?+

The engine runs, but an unreliable power relay feed can cause sudden shifting problems, so limit driving until it's diagnosed.

Can I just clear P0890?+

It will clear, but the low sense-circuit reading returns until the relay or wiring is repaired.

Read & clear P0890 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX