P087E code meaning
Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent
Powertrain system Generic code P08xx codes Check engine light
What P087E means
Clutch position sensor B reports the position of the second clutch or its actuator, the counterpart of sensor A (P0805 ff). The only documented user is Ford's dry DPS6 dual clutch in Fiesta and Focus: clutch B, for reverse and the even gears, is moved by a three-phase motor whose Hall sensors give its position, and the gearbox module drives it through an internal motor driver. Ford sets P087E for a sequence fault: when the clutch B motor turns, its three Hall sensors produce a fixed pattern; if a step is skipped or the order is wrong, motor and clutch position become unreliable. Typical are sporadic Hall dropouts and loose contacts. The counterpart for clutch A is P0809.
P087E at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P087E
- MIL or transmission warning on
- Sporadic judder when pulling away or shifting
- Delayed gear changes
Common causes of P087E
- Most likelyHall sensor in the clutch B motor dropping out
- PossibleLoose contact at motor or module connector
- Less likelyMotor sluggish or slipping mechanically
- Less likelyEvaluation in the gearbox module faulty
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Clutch position sensorClutch actuator motorSensor wiringTransmission control module
What each part of P087E means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 8 | Area: transmission. |
| 7E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P087E and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P087E
What does P087E mean?
P087E means "Clutch Position Sensor B Circuit Intermittent". Clutch position sensor B reports the position of the second clutch or its actuator, the counterpart of sensor A (P0805 ff). It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P087E?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P087E the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P087E fail an emissions test?
P087E is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P087E to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P087E clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.