Obdaryn

P0966Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit Low

  • Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
  • Turns on the check-engine light
  • Matters for the ITP
  • Can trigger limp mode
How the car detects it
Pressure control solenoid B circuit low, meaning a short to ground in the driver circuit. On GM's six-speeds and the Saab 9-4X 6T70, B is clutch pressure solenoid 2 for the 3-5-reverse clutch; a short lasting 0.3 s (GM 2018 table) or 1 s (Saab) sets a Type A code with a fixed limp mode: reverse and 5th gear, maximum line pressure, converter clutch off. GM's 8-, 9- and 10-speeds use B for a clutch solenoid and treat less than 0.5 ohm as a short; Allison 1000 uses it for pressure control solenoid 2 with ground-short detection in 125 ms. Ford does not use the B codes. Siblings are P0964 open, P0967 high and P0965 performance; solenoids A and C follow the same scheme.
What you may notice
  • MIL on immediately
  • Limp mode with reverse and one forward gear
  • No torque converter lock-up, higher fuel consumption
Likely causes
  • LikelyChafed control wire touching ground
  • PossibleInternally shorted solenoid in the valve body assembly
  • PossibleFluid or moisture in the connector
  • RareFaulty output stage in the control module
Inspection (ITP)
Matters for the ITP. While the check-engine light is on, the car fails the emissions check.
Repair
Hard · Usually a job for a workshop.Typical cost: €150 – €1,800

Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.