P0970
Pressure Control Solenoid C Control Circuit Low
Transmission
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P0970 means the transmission control module sees an abnormally low voltage in the control circuit for pressure control solenoid 'C', which helps set internal line pressure. Low pressure can make the transmission shift poorly, slip, overheat, or drop into limp mode. The root cause is usually a wiring short, a failed solenoid, or a bad connection.
Medium
Can I keep driving? Often driveable, but slipping or a stuck-gear limp mode can overheat and wear the transmission — keep trips short until it's repaired.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Poor shifting or slipping gears
- Harsh or delayed engagement
- May default to limp/failsafe mode
- Transmission running hot
- Check-engine light on
Common causes
Most likely first
- Short-to-ground or open in the solenoid 'C' circuit wiringLikely
- Failed pressure control solenoid 'C'Common
- 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 check transmission fluid level and condition.
- Inspect the solenoid 'C' wiring and connector for shorts, opens, or corrosion.
- Measure the solenoid resistance against spec; replace if out of range.
- Repair the low-voltage circuit fault, then clear and road-test.
- If wiring and solenoid check out, suspect the TCM.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0970?+
Brief driving is usually possible, but slipping and overheating can damage the transmission, so repair it soon.
Can I just clear P0970?+
It will come back until the circuit fault or solenoid is fixed; the transmission may keep entering limp mode.
Related codes
Often seen with P0970
Read & clear P0970 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX