OBD-II Code · Powertrain
P0798
Pressure Control Solenoid "C" Stuck On
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–$3,000
Varies by vehicle, diagnosis, parts, and local labor. This is not a repair quote.
Third pressure control solenoid stuck on.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 shifting
- Trans damage if continued
Likely causes
- Stuck solenoidMost common
- Valve body issue
Read the full diagnostic procedureP0798 is the electrical fault on pressure control solenoid C — typically the third pressure-control solenoid that manages a specific clutch apply pre…
P0798 is the electrical fault on pressure control solenoid C — typically the third pressure-control solenoid that manages a specific clutch apply pressure on a 5+ speed transmission.
Cheapest-first ladder
- identify which clutch element solenoid C controls on this specific transmission (the FSM maps solenoid letters to physical clutch packs); measure solenoid resistance at the case connector against spec (linear pressure solenoids are typically 4-6 ohms); inspect the internal harness and case connector for fluid intrusion; verify the TCM driver before replacing the solenoid.
- Caveat: P0798 frequently appears alongside a related clutch slip code (P0731-P0736) because a sticking or worn pressure control solenoid causes the clutch it commands to slip.
Vehicle-specific patterns2007-2013 GM trucks with the 6L80 set P0798 from a sticking PCS solenoid in a worn valve body bore.
- 2007-2013GM trucks with the 6L80 set P0798 from a sticking PCS solenoid in a worn valve body bore.
- 2008-2014Cadillac CTS and 2010-2016 Camaro with the 6L50 set P0798 alongside 3-5-R clutch slip when the wave plate fractures.
- 2004-2010Volvo S40/V50 and 2007-2011 Saab 9-3 with the Aisin AW55-50SN set P0798 from internal harness failure combined with PCS bore wear.
- 2009-2015Audi Q5 and A4 with the ZF 8HP55A set P0798 from mechatronic solenoid wear.
Estimated repair$380 to $3,600.
Look up another code
P0798 — frequently asked
What does a P0798 code mean?
Third pressure control solenoid stuck on.
What causes a P0798 code?
Common causes: Stuck solenoid; Valve body issue.
What are the symptoms of a P0798 code?
Typical symptoms: Harsh shifting; Trans damage if continued.
Is it safe to drive with a P0798 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-$3,000.
How do I diagnose a P0798 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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