What Does P0973 Mean?
The TCM has detected that the Shift Solenoid A (SS-A) control circuit voltage is lower than the expected threshold, indicating a short to ground. The solenoid circuit is being held low regardless of TCM commands, which keeps the solenoid in a fixed state. This will prevent proper gear selection as the transmission cannot route hydraulic pressure to the intended clutch packs, resulting in stuck-in-gear conditions or limp mode.
Safety Warning
A stuck shift solenoid prevents normal gear changes. The transmission may be locked in one gear or enter limp mode, severely limiting vehicle speed and acceleration capability. Drive only as necessary to reach a repair facility.
Common Causes
35%
Short to ground in the SS-A wiring within the internal transmission harness
30%
Shift Solenoid A coil internally shorted, pulling the circuit low
20%
Corroded or contaminated pins at the transmission case connector shorting SS-A to ground
10%
External harness chafing against a ground surface between TCM and transmission
5%
TCM internal SS-A driver circuit shorted low
Diagnostic Steps
1
Disconnect the transmission case connector and measure SS-A solenoid resistance — a reading significantly below specification indicates an internally shorted solenoid.
2
With the connector disconnected, measure insulation resistance from each SS-A wire to the transmission case (ground) — should exceed 10K ohms. Low readings pinpoint a ground fault.
3
Inspect the case connector for fluid intrusion, corroded terminals, or evidence of pin-to-case contact. Clean and dry the connector carefully.
4
Inspect the external wiring harness for chafing, pinched wires, or damaged insulation, particularly where it routes near brackets, heat shields, or sharp edges.
5
If all external tests pass, back-probe the TCM connector and verify the TCM is not pulling the SS-A circuit low internally.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $1,400
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The TCM has detected that the Shift Solenoid A (SS-A) control circuit voltage is lower than the expected threshold, indicating a short to ground. The solenoid circuit is being held low regardless of TCM commands, which keeps the solenoid in a fixed state. This will prevent proper gear selection as t...
The most common cause of P0973 (Shift Solenoid "A" Control Circuit Low) is: Short to ground in the SS-A wiring within the internal transmission harness
Typical repair costs for P0973 range from $200 to $1,400, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
A stuck shift solenoid prevents normal gear changes. The transmission may be locked in one gear or enter limp mode, severely limiting vehicle speed and acceleration capability. Drive only as necessary to reach a repair facility.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0973 to identify the root cause.
OBDHut Mobile App
Scan codes directly from your car with the OBDHut app.
Coming Soon
Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Automatic Transmission / Transaxle
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.
