P0973 code meaning
Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P09xx codes Check engine light
What P0973 means
Low-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid A, usually a short to ground. Ford lists it as SSA short to ground beside P0750 (open) for the 5R110W, 6R80, 6F and 6R140, checked by a driver feedback line within 0.5 to 5 s. GM six-speeds (6L/6T) call SS A the mode 2 solenoid and set P0973 after 1.2 of 1.5 s, MIL after one trip. The Saab 9-4X 6T70 needs 2 s, Type A, then only reverse and 5th remain. GM's 2016 Allison 1000 table folds ground short (0.42 ohm or less) and open (200 kOhm or more) into this code over 10 counts. Saab's Aisin gearbox in the 9-5 (2010) maps it to shift solenoid valve 2. High side is P0974.
P0973 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0973
- MIL on after the first faulty trip on many vehicles
- Limp mode with only a few gears, often reverse plus one forward gear
- Harsh engagements due to maximum line pressure
- Torque converter lockup and manual shifting disabled
Common causes of P0973
- Most likelyControl wire to solenoid A chafed through and shorted to ground
- PossibleInternal short in solenoid A or the control solenoid assembly
- PossibleFluid or metal debris bridging pins at the transmission connector
- Less likelyFaulty low-side driver in the transmission or powertrain module
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Shift solenoid aWiring harnessTCM
What each part of P0973 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 9 | Area: transmission. |
| 73 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0973 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 P0973
What does P0973 mean?
P0973 means "Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low". Low-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid A, usually a short to ground. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0973?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0973 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0973 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0973 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P0973 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0973 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.