Open-circuit fault in the driver circuit of pressure control solenoid A: the module measures an impedance far above the coil value, as if a wire, pin or winding were broken. Which solenoid carries the letter A depends on the gearbox. Ford uses it for the line pressure (EPC) solenoid; GM's 8-speed for clutch 1 (CB1278R), the 9- and 10-speeds for clutch CB123456(R), Allison 1000 for main modulation (line) pressure and GM's dual-clutch gearbox for the odd-clutch valve. GM flags more than 200 kOhm for 0.3 s (Type A), Allison 173 kOhm or more after an intrusive test. GM six-speeds report an open under P0963 instead. Low and high are P0962/P0963, performance P0961. Expect maximum line pressure, harsh shifts or a fixed limp gear.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive as little as possible and gently. If the transmission slips or stays in one gear, go slowly to a repair shop or call for a tow truck.
Symptoms
- Transmission warning or MIL on, fault message in the cluster
- Very firm or harsh shifts due to maximum line pressure
- Transmission stays in a fixed limp gear
Most likely causes
- Open solenoid coil inside the valve body or solenoid assembly
- Loose, corroded or pushed-back pin at the transmission connector or pass-through
- Broken wire between module and solenoid
- Faulty output stage in the transmission control module
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0960 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 9: Transmission
- 60: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0960?
Drive as little as possible and gently. If the transmission slips or stays in one gear, go slowly to a repair shop or call for a tow truck.
What causes code P0960?
The most common causes are: open solenoid coil inside the valve body or solenoid assembly; loose, corroded or pushed-back pin at the transmission connector or pass-through; broken wire between module and solenoid.
Related codes
- P0961Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Range/Performance
- P0962Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Low
- P0963Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit High
- P0964Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit/Open
- P0968Pressure Control Solenoid C Control Circuit/Open
- P0745Pressure Control Solenoid A
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Transmisson Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 17OBDG04 Transmisson Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 24OBDG07
- newtonnet.co.uk: fordobd2012
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.