Range/performance fault in the drive circuit of shift solenoid A: the circuit is not plainly shorted, yet its electrical behaviour does not fit what the module commands. Today's large makers rarely use the code. GM's 2007 table for the Allison 1000 six-speed used it for an open SS1 circuit: after three hardware fault samples the module opens the low-side driver as an intrusive test and reports P0972 if four more samples show no short to ground (400 ms, Type A, MIL at once). Newer GM Allison tables move that open to P097A. Ferrari's DCT bulletin reuses P0972 for a missing signal from the actuator 1 engage position sensor, not a solenoid. Ford and GM six-speeds report opens elsewhere. Shorts are P0973/P0974.
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
- MIL or transmission warning on
- Transmission falls back to a fixed default gear
- Missing or abrupt shifts
Most likely causes
- Open or high-resistance coil of shift solenoid A (Allison-type usage)
- Loose or corroded terminal at the transmission connector or internal harness
- Chafed or broken wire between module and solenoid
- Faulty driver 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 P0972 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 9: Transmission
- 72: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0972?
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 P0972?
The most common causes are: open or high-resistance coil of shift solenoid A (Allison-type usage); loose or corroded terminal at the transmission connector or internal harness; chafed or broken wire between module and solenoid.
Related codes
- P097AShift Solenoid A Control Circuit/Open
- P0973Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit Low
- P0974Shift Solenoid A Control Circuit High
- P0750Shift Solenoid A
- P0751Shift Solenoid A Performance/Stuck Off
- P0752Shift Solenoid A Stuck On
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 07 GRP15 Allison 1000
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10168599 0001
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
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.