OBD-II trouble code
P0750: Shift Solenoid "A" Malfunction
An electrical or hydraulic fault has been detected in shift solenoid A, the solenoid that controls one of the lower gear shifts on most automatic transmissions.
Quick facts
- System
- Powertrain
- Category
- Transmission / Shift Control
- Severity
- High severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $250 – $700
- DIY difficulty
- Advanced DIY
One of 43 shift solenoid codes
P0750 sits in a grid: one axis is which solenoid the letter refers to, the other is what went wrong with it. Each cell is a genuinely different fault with its own diagnosis — but codes from the same row or column often appear together, and what a pairing means is usually the fastest way in. The hub page lays out all 43 and explains how to read them against each other.
See all shift solenoid codes →Browse every code in P0700–P0799, or start from the full code library.
What does P0750 mean?
P0750 sets when the powertrain control module detects that shift solenoid A isn't responding the way it should. The 'A' designation maps to a specific solenoid on your transmission — usually the one responsible for the 1-2 shift or one of the other low-gear transitions, depending on the manufacturer. The PCM monitors each solenoid's circuit electrically (looking for the right resistance and current draw when the coil is energized) and watches the resulting hydraulic behavior (checking that the actual gear ratio matches what was commanded). When either check fails, P0750 lands in memory.
A solenoid coil whose windings have opened or shorted internally after years of heat cycling inside the transmission is a common finding, but it is not the first thing to check, because two cheaper faults produce the same complaint: fluid level and condition, and the transmission's external pass-through connector, which is often disturbed during unrelated work. Settle both of those before anything is opened. Hydraulic causes — sticking valve body bores, low line pressure, or contaminated fluid blocking the solenoid's tiny passages — round out the failure modes.
Drivers typically notice harsh shifts, missing shifts, or in serious cases the transmission going into limp mode and holding a single gear (usually second or third) to protect itself. Limp mode driving feels like driving with no overdrive — the car will move and steer normally but the engine will rev high at any meaningful speed. Even when limp mode isn't triggered, P0750 should be addressed quickly because the underlying problem usually gets worse, not better.
Common causes
- Low transmission fluid level from a leak
- Damaged or corroded transmission external connector pins
- Wiring damage between the PCM and the solenoid
- Contaminated or burnt transmission fluid blocking the solenoid passage
- Open or shorted shift solenoid A coil
- Aftermarket transmission cooler installation that introduced a connector issue
- Valve body wear or stuck solenoid bore
- Failed PCM driver circuit (rare)
Symptoms
- Check engine light on with P0750 stored
- Harsh, delayed, or missed shifts — usually the 1-2 shift
- Transmission stuck in a single gear (limp mode)
- Engine revs high at moderate road speeds when limp mode is active
- Transmission won't downshift when expected
- Slipping feeling between gears
- Slight burnt smell from old or overheated fluid
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Scan for any companion transmission codes — P0750 rarely appears alone, and the full picture usually reveals which subsystem failed first.
- 2.Inspect the transmission's external connector for corrosion, bent pins, or a pushed-back terminal.
- 3.Resistance-check the solenoid through the external connector against the manufacturer's spec — most read 10-30 ohms.
- 4.Check fluid level and condition first, using the manufacturer's procedure — burnt or low fluid invalidates any further electrical testing, and looking costs nothing before anything is opened.
- 5.Only then pull the pan and inspect for excessive metal debris in the fluid, which would indicate broader transmission damage. Work from a lift or from stands with the vehicle properly supported, and let the transmission cool first: fluid at operating temperature will scald, and it leaves a dropped pan faster than most people expect.
- 6.If the solenoid checks out electrically but the symptom persists, the next step is a valve body inspection or rebuild.
Repair cost
$250 – $700
Shift solenoid replacement is typically $250-$500 when the solenoid is accessible after dropping the pan. Cost climbs to $400-$700 on transmissions where the solenoid is integrated into a valve body assembly that must be replaced as a unit. A full valve body replacement runs $600-$1,500, and a complete transmission rebuild — if internal damage is present — is $2,500-$4,000.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with transmission shift solenoid replacement preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.
DIY vs shop
This is an advanced DIY job. It typically requires specialty tools, scan-tool access, lifting equipment, or careful sequencing to avoid causing new failures. Plan for extended downtime and have a backup vehicle. Most owners are better served by a shop that has done this repair before.