P0973

Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0973?

Briefly, but the transmission may be locked in limp mode and shift poorly. Extended driving with slipping or harsh shifts can wear it, so fix it soon.

Q: Can I just clear P0973?

It returns until the circuit fault is repaired. This is an electrical fault, not a temporary glitch.

Transmission Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0973 means the transmission control module detects a low-voltage (often short-to-ground) condition in the control circuit for shift solenoid A, the valve that engages a specific gear. It usually stems from a shorted or damaged wire, a failed solenoid, or a bad connector, and typically causes gear-selection problems or a limp-mode fixed gear.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Often driveable but the transmission may be stuck in one gear or in limp mode — expect poor shifting and repair it before it damages internal parts.

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
Difficulty shifting or no shift into a certain gear
Harsh shifting or slipping
Transmission in limp/failsafe mode (fixed gear)

Common causes

Most likely first

Short-to-ground or damaged wiring in the shift solenoid A circuitLikely
Failed shift solenoid ACommon
Loose or corroded electrical connectorCommon
Faulty transmission control module (TCM)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and inspect the shift solenoid A wiring for shorts to ground or chafing.
Test the solenoid's resistance against spec; replace shift solenoid A if out of range.
Clean and re-seat the transmission connector and check for corroded or bent pins.
If wiring and solenoid check out, have the TCM diagnosed last.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0973?+

Briefly, but the transmission may be locked in limp mode and shift poorly. Extended driving with slipping or harsh shifts can wear it, so fix it soon.

Can I just clear P0973?+

It returns until the circuit fault is repaired. This is an electrical fault, not a temporary glitch.

Read & clear P0973 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