What Does P0796 Mean?
Pressure control solenoid C is either not performing within expected parameters or is stuck in the off position. When stuck off, the solenoid cannot apply hydraulic pressure to its associated clutch pack, resulting in slippage or failure to engage certain gears. The TCM has detected a discrepancy between commanded solenoid operation and actual transmission behavior.
Common Causes
35%
Pressure control solenoid C stuck in closed/off position due to debris or internal failure
25%
Contaminated or low transmission fluid preventing proper solenoid operation
20%
Valve body bore wear allowing pressure bypass around solenoid C
12%
Worn clutch pack in solenoid C circuit causing slip detected as solenoid issue
8%
Electrical issue preventing solenoid from energizing
Diagnostic Steps
1
Monitor solenoid C duty cycle command and compare to actual transmission behavior (shift quality, gear ratio achieved).
2
Check transmission fluid level and condition — contaminated fluid is the leading cause of stuck solenoids.
3
Perform a transmission line pressure test to verify actual pressure in the solenoid C circuit versus specification.
4
Command the solenoid on/off using a bi-directional scan tool and listen/feel for solenoid operation.
5
If the solenoid does not respond to commands, measure its resistance and check for electrical faults in the circuit.
6
If the solenoid activates but pressure is still incorrect, suspect valve body wear or clutch pack issues.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $1,200
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
Pressure control solenoid C is either not performing within expected parameters or is stuck in the off position. When stuck off, the solenoid cannot apply hydraulic pressure to its associated clutch pack, resulting in slippage or failure to engage certain gears. The TCM has detected a discrepancy be...
The most common cause of P0796 (Pressure Control Solenoid C Performance or Stuck off) is: Pressure control solenoid C stuck in closed/off position due to debris or internal failure
Typical repair costs for P0796 range from $200 to $1,200, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Gear slippage or failure to engage certain gears may occur. The vehicle may have limited power transfer in some gears. Avoid aggressive driving and high-load situations. Continued driving can cause overheating and burn clutch packs, leading to a full transmission rebuild.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0796 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Automatic Transmission
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.
