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OBD-II Code · Powertrain

P0796

Pressure Control Solenoid "C" Performance

Severity

high

Left alone, this one tends to take other parts with it.

Can you drive it

Not for long

Driving on this one risks further damage. Get it to a shop rather than carrying on with it.

Indicative cost (USD)

$400–$2,500

Varies by vehicle, diagnosis, parts, and local labor. This is not a repair quote.

Line-pressure control solenoid (newer ZF / Aisin transmissions).

How a shop works this

Work from evidence to part, not the other way round. A code names a circuit or a symptom; it does not name the part that failed.

  1. Note every code that is set, not just this one.

    Codes that appear together usually narrow the cause faster than any one of them read alone.

  2. Read the freeze frame — the conditions the fault was recorded under.

    Cold or warm, idle or load, road speed and engine speed. A fault that only appears cold is a different fault from one that only appears under load, even with the same code on the scanner.

  3. Confirm the fault is current rather than history.

    Clear the code and see whether it returns under those same conditions. A code that does not come back may have been logged during a repair, a flat battery, or a bad connection that has since been disturbed.

  4. Then work the likely-causes list in the order shown.

    That order is what a shop checks first for this code — wiring and connections before the component they run to, because a connector costs nothing to inspect and is a common answer.

If the code comes back after a repair, the underlying fault is still there. That is the point to bring in a scanner with live data and freeze-frame, or a shop that has one.

Common symptoms

  • Harsh shifts
  • Slipping
  • Check engine light

Likely causes

  • Failed PCS-C solenoidMost common
  • Worn TCM internal valves
  • Low fluid
Read the full diagnostic procedureP0796 is a performance fault on Pressure Control Solenoid C — one of the linear (PWM) solenoids that varies hydraulic pressure for a specific clutch…

P0796 is a performance fault on Pressure Control Solenoid C — one of the linear (PWM) solenoids that varies hydraulic pressure for a specific clutch or band rather than just switching a circuit on/off. PCS solenoids modulate pressure proportionally to the duty cycle the TCM sends, and the TCM watches whether the resulting line or apply-pressure response matches the commanded value (often via a pressure-switch manifold or directly via a pressure sensor on newer trans). When commanded pressure doesn't produce expected pressure, P0796 sets.

Cheapest cause first

  1. fluid level low, aerating the pump, dropping pressure under load.
  2. Second cheapest: burnt or varnished fluid sticking the PCS valve in its bore — sometimes a fluid + filter service plus an aftermarket Lubegard or seal-conditioner additive will free a borderline-stuck valve and clear the code (ATRA shop tip).
  3. Next: gauge-tap line pressure to verify actual psi against TCM-commanded psi during the shift the PCS affects.
  4. A pressure delta of more than 15-20 psi commanded vs actual confirms a solenoid or valve-body issue; matched pressures point to a slipping clutch downstream of a healthy hydraulic circuit.
Vehicle-specific patterns2007-2013 GM Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe with the 6L80/6L90 throws P0796 most commonly from a failed PCS in the TEHCM — TEHCM replacement, $600-900 part,…
  • 2007-2013GM Silverado/Sierra/Tahoe with the 6L80/6L90 throws P0796 most commonly from a failed PCS in the TEHCM — TEHCM replacement, $600-900 part, requires GM SPS programming and quick-learn after install.
  • 2006-2010Chrysler 300C/Charger with the 545RFE/65RFE throws P0796 alongside solenoid-pack codes when the underdrive or 2C clutch pressure-control circuit drops; solenoid pack replacement is the standard fix, $400-600.
  • 2008-2014Ford F-150 with the 6R80 throws P0796 from the main control valve body's pressure-control solenoid degradation — Ford sells a complete valve-body assembly with all solenoids preinstalled, $750-1,000 part.
  • 2009-2015ZF 8HP (Ram 1500, BMW 3/5 series, Jeep Grand Cherokee) throws P0796 from mechatronic sleeve oil migration into the TCM, killing the PCS driver — mechatronic rebuild only, $1,800-2,800.

Estimated repair$350 (fluid service + solenoid) to $3,000+ (8HP mechatronic).

Look up another code

P0796 — frequently asked

What does a P0796 code mean?

Line-pressure control solenoid (newer ZF / Aisin transmissions).

What causes a P0796 code?

Common causes: Failed PCS-C solenoid; Worn TCM internal valves; Low fluid.

What are the symptoms of a P0796 code?

Typical symptoms: Harsh shifts; Slipping; Check engine light.

Is it safe to drive with a P0796 code?

Not for long. Driving on this one risks further damage. Get it to a shop rather than carrying on with it. Estimated repair: $400-$2,500.

How do I diagnose a P0796 code?

Work from evidence to part, not the other way round. A code names a circuit or a symptom; it does not name the part that failed. 1. Note every code that is set, not just this one. 2. Read the freeze frame — the conditions the fault was recorded under. 3. Confirm the fault is current rather than history. 4. Then work the likely-causes list in the order shown.

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