The signal of pressure sensor or switch F drops out or flickers for short moments without staying low or high. No manufacturer documents this code publicly, and no transmission with a sixth pressure switch was found: GM's six-speeds end at switch 5 (E), Mitsubishi's 2019 six-speed uses letters B, D and E. Because such switches are thin film-and-piston units inside the valve body module, as Sonnax shows, debris or a delaminated film can make the contact chatter, and connector or harness faults do the same electrically. CARB requires transmission inputs to be checked for circuit faults; an intermittent code is the slot for faults too short to set P0994 or P0995. Expect occasional rough shifts, often without a warning light.
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
- Stored fault, often without warning light
- Occasional rough or flared shift
Most likely causes
- Loose or corroded connector contact
- Debris or delaminated film making the switch chatter
- Chafed harness shorting or opening under vibration
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
What each character of P0996 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 9: Transmission
- 96: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0996?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P0996?
The most common causes are: loose or corroded connector contact; debris or delaminated film making the switch chatter; chafed harness shorting or opening under vibration.
Related codes
- P0992Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch F Circuit
- P0993Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch F Circuit Range/Performance
- P0994Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch F Circuit Low
- P0995Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch F Circuit High
- P0991Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch E Circuit Intermittent
Sources
- law.cornell.edu: 13 CCR 1968.2
- sonnax.com: 215 under pressure shift quality pressure switches
- mitsubishitechinfo.com: M123103140009500USA
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.