# P0750: Shift Solenoid "A" **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week Transmission - Generic OBD-II code, applies to all gasoline cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996. - **Typical cost:** $100-$1,600 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Shift solenoid A or its wiring - **DIY?:** Electrical checks only ## Quick answer P0750 means the transmission computer found a problem with shift solenoid A, one of the electric valves that direct fluid to change gears. On most vehicles it points to an electrical fault in the solenoid or its circuit. The transmission may stay in one gear, skip gears, or shift harshly until it is fixed. ## What does P0750 mean? Shift solenoids are electric valves on the transmission's valve body. The computer switches them on and off in set combinations, and each combination sends fluid to a different set of clutches or bands, selecting a gear. Older four-speed transmissions often have two main shift solenoids, labeled A and B, while newer six- to ten-speed designs use several more, often grouped in one solenoid pack. P0750 sets when the computer sees that shift solenoid A's circuit does not respond as expected, such as an open circuit, a short, or the wrong current when commanded on or off. Codes P0751 through P0754 cover more specific faults on many vehicles. Which solenoid is "A", and which gears depend on it, differs by maker and transmission, so service information for your exact transmission matters. Many vehicles turn on the check engine light and enter limp mode right away, holding a fixed gear. ## What are the symptoms of P0750? - Transmission stuck in one gear, often second or third - Harsh, delayed, or missed shifts - High engine RPM at highway speed when it will not upshift - Weak acceleration from a stop in limp mode - Check engine light, sometimes a transmission warning ## What causes P0750? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Failed shift solenoid A** (most common). The solenoid's coil and plunger work in hot fluid on every trip and can fail open, short internally, or stick from wear and debris. Electrical failure sets P0750 directly. A resistance check through the transmission connector, compared with the maker's spec, shows whether the coil is out of range, and a stuck plunger may need bench testing. 2. **Wiring or case connector fault** (common). The circuit runs from the computer through the vehicle harness and a sealed case connector into the transmission. Fluid leaking into the connector, corroded pins, or a chafed wire near the exhaust can interrupt it. A fault that comes and goes over bumps or with temperature changes often points here rather than to the solenoid. 3. **Dirty or degraded fluid** (common). Varnish and fine debris from worn fluid can make the solenoid plunger slow or stick, and some designs have small screens that clog. On some vehicles that changes the solenoid's electrical behavior enough to set a code, and it causes shift problems either way. Dark, burnt fluid or debris in the pan supports this cause. 4. **Solenoid power supply or fuse** (less common). Many transmissions feed the shift solenoids from a shared fused circuit or relay, and the computer grounds each one to switch it. A blown fuse, failed relay, or low system voltage can affect several solenoids at once, so P0750 may appear with other solenoid codes or P0562. Checking power at the solenoid connector is quick. 5. **Transmission computer fault** (rare). A shorted solenoid or wire can damage the computer's internal driver for that solenoid, and water entry can do the same. On transmissions with the computer built into the valve body, the solenoids and computer may be replaced as one unit. A shop confirms good wiring and a good solenoid before replacing the module. ## How do you diagnose P0750? 1. Read all transmission codes and note other solenoid or voltage codes. 2. Check fluid level and condition, and look for fluid inside the case connector. 3. Measure solenoid A resistance at the transmission connector and compare it with the maker's spec. 4. Check the solenoid power feed and ground, then the wiring back to the computer. 5. Command the solenoid on and off with a scan tool and confirm the expected gear change. ## How do you fix P0750, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Repair wiring, connector, or fuse | $100-$400 | Often the fix when fluid or corrosion is found in the connector. | | Replace shift solenoid A | $250-$750 | When the solenoid is a separate part under the pan. | | Replace solenoid pack or valve body module | $600-$1,600 | Some modules also need programming. | Full price breakdowns: [transmission fluid change cost](/cost/transmission-fluid-change). ## Is it safe to drive with P0750? > **Drive to a shop this week.** You can usually drive slowly to a shop, but limp mode often holds one gear, which means weak starts and high RPM at speed. Avoid highways and towing, since running in the wrong gear overheats and wears the transmission. ## Will P0750 fail an emissions test? P0750 turns on the check engine light, which fails an OBD-II emissions test in most states. Clearing the code without fixing the circuit does not help, because the computer checks the solenoid every time it shifts, and clearing resets the readiness monitors. Repair it and drive several days before testing. ## After the repair: clearing P0750 After the repair, clear the codes and, if your transmission requires it, run an adaptive relearn or quick-learn with a scan tool. Then road test through every gear, both upshifts and downshifts. Shifts should be on time and smooth, with no limp mode. If P0750 does not return after several days of normal driving, the fix held. ## How to prevent P0750 - Change transmission fluid and filter on schedule to keep debris away from the solenoids. - Use only the fluid type your manual specifies, since solenoids are calibrated for it. - Fix leaks at the transmission case connector before fluid damages the wiring. - Replace a weak battery promptly, since low voltage can upset solenoid control. - Have harsh or missed shifts checked early rather than driving around in limp mode. ## Codes often seen with P0750 - [P0700](/codes/p0700): Transmission Control System (MIL Request) - [P0730](/codes/p0730): Incorrect Gear Ratio - [P0731](/codes/p0731): Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio - [P0732](/codes/p0732): Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio - [P0740](/codes/p0740): Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit/Open - [P0562](/codes/p0562): System Voltage Low ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drive with a P0750 code? You can usually drive slowly to a shop, but expect limp mode, which often holds one gear. Starts will be weak, and RPM will run high at speed if it cannot upshift. Avoid highways and towing, because driving far in the wrong gear can overheat and wear the transmission. ### What is shift solenoid A? Shift solenoid A is one of the electric valves the transmission computer uses to route fluid and select gears. Which solenoid carries the A label, and which gears it controls, depends on the transmission. Service information for your vehicle shows where it sits and what it does in each gear. ### How much does it cost to fix P0750? Most P0750 repairs cost $100 to $1,600 at an independent shop. Wiring, connector, or fuse repairs run about $100 to $400 and a single shift solenoid $250 to $750. If the solenoid is part of a pack or a valve body module, expect $600 to $1,600. ### Can I replace a shift solenoid myself? On transmissions where the solenoid sits under the pan and bolts on separately, experienced DIYers can replace it. You need the right gasket, fluid, and fill procedure, and many sealed units require checking the level at a set temperature. Combined solenoid packs and programmed modules are usually a shop job. ### What are the symptoms of a bad shift solenoid? Common signs are a transmission stuck in one gear, harsh or delayed shifts, skipped gears, and high RPM at highway speed when it will not upshift. The check engine light usually comes on with a code such as P0750. Symptoms can be intermittent at first, often appearing when hot. ### Will a transmission fluid change fix P0750? Usually not by itself, because P0750 is most often an electrical fault in the solenoid or its wiring. Fresh fluid can help if varnish or debris was making a solenoid stick, and it is often done with the repair anyway. Diagnose the circuit before paying for fluid work alone. ### Can low battery voltage cause P0750? It can on some vehicles. Shift solenoids need steady voltage, and a weak battery or failing alternator can make the computer misread a solenoid circuit. If P0750 shows up with P0562, dim lights, or slow cranking, fix the charging system first, then clear the codes and see if they return. ### What is the difference between P0750 and P0751? P0750 is the general shift solenoid A code, usually an electrical problem. Related codes P0751 through P0754 describe more specific faults on many vehicles, such as the solenoid stuck off or stuck on, or an intermittent circuit. Some transmissions set only P0750, while others use the specific codes instead. ### Does P0750 mean my transmission is bad? No, P0750 usually means one electrical part or circuit has failed, not that the whole transmission is worn out. A solenoid, connector, or wiring repair often fixes it. Avoid long drives in limp mode, though, since driving in the wrong gear can add wear that turns a small repair into a bigger one. ### Why is my transmission stuck in third gear? Many transmissions hold a fixed gear, often second or third, when the computer detects a serious fault such as P0750. This limp mode protects the transmission while letting you drive slowly. Restarting the engine may restore normal shifting briefly, but the fault usually returns until the solenoid or wiring is repaired. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) - [EPA: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)](https://www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/vehicle-emissions-board-diagnostics-obd) ## Other transmission codes - [P0700 Transmission Control System (MIL Request)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0700) - [P0705 Transmission Range Sensor "A" Circuit (PRNDL Input)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0705) - [P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0715) - [P0717 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0717) - [P0720 Output Shaft Speed Sensor "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0720) - [P0730 Incorrect Gear Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0730) - [P0731 Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0731) - [P0732 Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0732) - [P0740 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit/Open](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0740) - [P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit Performance/Stuck Off](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0741) - [P0841 Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit Range/Performance](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0841) ## Symptoms - [Why is my transmission slipping?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/transmission-slipping) - [Why does my car jerk when I accelerate?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-jerks-when-accelerating) - [Why won't my car go into gear?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-wont-go-into-gear) ## Repair costs - [Transmission fluid change cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/transmission-fluid-change): $120-$350 - [Transmission replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/transmission-replacement) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0750 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.