P0980 code meaning
Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P09xx codes Check engine light
What P0980 means
High-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid C, meaning a short to supply. GM documents it for the Allison 1000 six-speed: the 2007 table wants four consecutive power-short samples (100 ms, Type A) and skips the check in reverse trim, 5th and 6th gear; later tables (2016, 2018) look for 0.39 ohm or less to a supply over three counts within 75 ms, and from 2022 within 60 ms, MIL after one trip. Ford uses it for SSC short to power in all its listed gearboxes, with P0760 for an open. Neither GM's 6L/6T six-speeds nor Saab's documented gearboxes use P0980. The ground counterpart is P0979, the open code for the Allison is P097C.
P0980 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 P0980
- MIL on after the first faulty trip
- Solenoid C stuck energized, wrong gear or default gear
- Harsh shifts
Common causes of P0980
- Most likelySolenoid C control wire shorted to a supply voltage
- PossibleShorted turns in solenoid C lowering its resistance
- PossibleAdjacent pins bridged by fluid or debris in the connector
- Less likelyFaulty driver stage in the control module
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Shift solenoid cWiring harnessTCM
What each part of P0980 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. |
| 80 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0980 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 P0980
What does P0980 mean?
P0980 means "Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit High". High-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid C, meaning a short to supply. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0980?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0980 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0980 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0980 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 P0980 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0980 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.