P0990

Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch E Circuit High

Q: Is it safe to drive with P0990?

Usually yes for short distances, but shifting may be off or defaulted, so have it diagnosed soon.

Q: Can I just clear P0990?

It returns until the sensor or its circuit is repaired, and the transmission may keep using default pressure logic.

Transmission Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P0990 means the transmission control module sees a high-voltage signal from fluid pressure sensor/switch 'E', which monitors internal transmission pressure. With a bad reading the transmission may shift harshly, change gears unpredictably, or fall back to limp mode. The cause is typically the sensor itself or a wiring/connection fault, not internal transmission damage.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Often driveable, but the transmission may shift oddly or enter limp mode because it can't read pressure correctly — repair it before it strains the gearbox.

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
Harsh, delayed, or abnormal shifting
Erratic or unpredictable gear changes
May default to limp/failsafe mode

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch 'E'Likely
Short-to-power or open in the sensor circuit wiringCommon
Loose or corroded electrical connectionsCommon
Failed transmission control module (TCM)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Read freeze-frame data and compare the sensor reading to actual/expected pressure.
Inspect the sensor wiring and connector for a short to power, opens, or corrosion.
Test the sensor's reference voltage and signal; replace the sensor if faulty.
Repair the high-voltage circuit fault, then clear and road-test.
If wiring and sensor are good, suspect the TCM.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P0990?+

Usually yes for short distances, but shifting may be off or defaulted, so have it diagnosed soon.

Can I just clear P0990?+

It returns until the sensor or its circuit is repaired, and the transmission may keep using default pressure logic.

Read & clear P0990 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