P0986: Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit High

High-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid E. Ford means a short to power on SSE; an open sets P0770 and a ground short P0985. On the 6R140 SSE is a variable force solenoid for the C456 clutch, so a short to power can hold that clutch on. Saab's 2010 9-5 with the Aisin six-speed instead assigns P0986 to shift solenoid valve 1 and sets it when the circuit reads off although it is commanded on, which also catches an open coil: 100 ms, five times, Type A, all solenoids then switched off. GM's published transmission tables do not use the code. Because makers split opens differently, check the maker's table before replacing parts.

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 on, transmission in fail-safe gear
Tie-up or harsh shift if the controlled clutch stays applied
Adaptation frozen, shift quality worsens

Most likely causes

Solenoid E control wire shorted to a supply voltage
Open coil or wire where the maker reads it as high (Saab/Aisin)
Bent or corroded terminals at the solenoid E connector
Faulty driver stage in the control module

What to check, in order

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

Check the fluid level and condition according to the manufacturer
Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
Check the transmission connector
Read the data with a transmission-compatible scanner
Measure the solenoid valve circuit
Leave opening the transmission to a specialized repair shop

Good to know

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

What each character of P0986 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0986?

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 P0986?

The most common causes are: solenoid E control wire shorted to a supply voltage; open coil or wire where the maker reads it as high (Saab/Aisin); bent or corroded terminals at the solenoid E connector.

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.