P090C: Clutch B Actuator Control Circuit Low

Set when the control circuit of the clutch B actuator shows a low state, which on the documented application means a short to ground. Ford defines P090C as the short-to-ground check of the clutch B motor in the DPS6 PowerShift gearbox, paired with P090A for an open circuit and P090D for a short to power. Ford's TCM program 14M02 for 2011-2015 Fiesta and Focus also lists P090C among the codes that a defective TCM can cause, so the module belongs on the suspect list along with the motor and its wiring. Swapping the identical clutch motors helps: if the fault moves to P0902, the motor is bad. CARB requires circuit monitoring of such outputs. Expect missing gears, erratic shifts or no drive.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.

Symptoms

Check engine light on
Even gears or reverse unavailable
Limp mode or no drive

Most likely causes

Clutch B actuator motor with internal short to ground
Failed TCM output stage (Ford program 14M02 lists this code)
Chafed motor wire touching ground

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

Check the fluid level and condition
With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
Read the input and output speed in live data
Check the connector and wiring
Check for other related engine codes
Consult the manufacturer's procedure for the transmission

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium
It can trigger limp mode.
It affects emissions.

What each character of P090C means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
9: Transmission
0C: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P090C?

Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.

What causes code P090C?

The most common causes are: clutch B actuator motor with internal short to ground; failed TCM output stage (Ford program 14M02 lists this code); chafed motor wire touching ground.

Related codes

Sources

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.