How is P0773 different from the performance code for solenoid E?

P0773 is purely electrical — the TCM sees an open, short, or wrong resistance in the circuit, so the fault is in the coil, wiring, or connections. The performance code (P0771) means the circuit tests fine but the shift the solenoid controls isn't happening correctly, which points at fluid, the valve body, or hydraulic problems instead. A resistance check at the case connector quickly tells you which world you're in.

Will a transmission fluid change fix P0773?

Usually not. This is an electrical code, and fresh fluid doesn't repair an open coil or a corroded connector. The exception is when fluid has wicked into the case connector and degraded the contacts — cleaning and resealing the connector fixes that, and a fluid service may be done at the same time. Diagnose the circuit first; don't start with fluid.

Can I drive with P0773?

Short distances, usually yes — the TCM typically falls back to a safe shift pattern or limp mode rather than letting the transmission hurt itself. But a missing gear raises RPM and heat, and limp mode is not meant for extended use. Get it diagnosed promptly, especially before highway trips or towing.

My transmission may not have a solenoid E. What then?

Some transmissions genuinely don't have a fifth shift solenoid, and manufacturers map the letters differently. If P0773 appears on a transmission without a solenoid E, suspect a scan-tool definition mismatch or a manufacturer-specific meaning for the code. Look up the code in service data for your exact transmission before ordering any parts.

OBD-II trouble code

P0773: Shift Solenoid "E" Electrical

The transmission controller has detected an electrical fault — an open circuit, a short, or out-of-spec resistance — in the shift solenoid E circuit. This is the wiring-and-coil side of the E-solenoid family: start at the connector, harness, and solenoid resistance, not the fluid.

High severityPowertrainTransmission / Shift ControlDrivable short-term

Quick facts

System: Powertrain
Category: Transmission / Shift Control
Severity: High severity
Drivable: Usually safe to drive short-term
Repair cost range: $100 – $850
DIY difficulty: Advanced DIY

What does P0773 mean?

P0773 sets when the TCM monitors the shift solenoid E circuit and sees an electrical value it can't accept — no current where there should be current (an open), too much current (a short), or a resistance reading outside the manufacturer's specification. Unlike the performance code for the same solenoid, which flags a shift that doesn't happen even though the circuit looks fine, P0773 is telling you the electrical path itself is broken or unreliable.

The circuit is simple: the TCM switches the solenoid's coil through a wiring harness that passes through a case connector into the transmission. Every piece of that path is a candidate. Corrosion at the case connector pins, a chafed or heat-damaged harness, a backed-out terminal, and a coil whose resistance has drifted with heat and age are all common. The case connector deserves special attention — it lives low on the transmission where road spray, oil, and heat work on it constantly, and a corroded pin can perfectly mimic a failed solenoid. Even a small voltage drop from resistance at a connection can push the circuit out of the TCM's acceptance window.

When the TCM can't trust the circuit it usually stops commanding that solenoid, so the shifts that depend on solenoid E drop out of the pattern — a missing gear, harsh engagement, or limp mode. As with all high-lettered solenoids, confirm your transmission actually has a solenoid E and identify which physical valve the manufacturer calls 'E' in service data before buying anything. Because this is an electrical code, diagnosis starts with a multimeter, not a fluid change — measure the solenoid's resistance at the case connector and compare it to specification before condemning any parts.

Common causes

Open or shorted shift solenoid E coil (resistance out of specification)
Corroded, loose, or backed-out pins at the transmission case connector
Chafed, melted, or broken wiring between the TCM and the solenoid
Fluid contamination wicking into the connector and degrading contact
Poor TCM power or ground affecting the solenoid driver circuit
Failed TCM solenoid driver (least common — verify the circuit first)

Symptoms

Check engine light on with P0773 stored
Missing gear or a shift that never happens
Harsh or delayed engagement in part of the range
Transmission stuck in limp / failsafe mode
Higher engine RPM than expected at cruise if the pattern is disrupted
Sometimes no drivability symptom at all beyond the light

Diagnostic steps

1.Confirm your transmission has a shift solenoid E and identify which physical valve it is in service data.
2.Scan for companion codes; a P0700 plus other solenoid electrical codes points at a shared harness or connector problem.
3.Inspect the transmission case connector for corrosion, transmission fluid intrusion, and backed-out pins.
4.Measure shift solenoid E resistance at the case connector and compare against specification.
5.Check the harness between the TCM and case connector for chafe points, heat damage, and rodent damage.
6.If the coil and wiring test good, verify power/ground at the TCM before suspecting the TCM driver itself.

Repair cost

$100 – $850

A repaired connector or wiring fault can be as little as $100-$250. Shift solenoid replacement typically runs $250-$700 depending on whether the pan or valve body must come down to reach it. TCM diagnosis and replacement sits at the top of the range. Because a corroded case connector mimics a failed solenoid, verify the circuit with a meter before paying for parts.

Estimate your repair

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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.