P0796 means Pressure Control Solenoid C Performance or Stuck Off. Pressure control solenoid C is not producing the expected pressure, affecting the clutches it controls. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0796 means
Electronically controlled automatics are run by a transmission control module (TCM), a separate box or part of the engine computer. It reads speed sensors, the range sensor and fluid temperature to decide when to shift, and drives solenoids that apply clutches and the torque converter clutch. Many basic code readers only show the generic P0700; a scan tool that reads the transmission module shows the specific fault. Check fluid level and condition first, since low or burnt fluid causes many transmission codes.
P0796 symptoms
- Harsh or flared shifts
- Slipping in certain gears
- Limp mode
Common causes of P0796
- Sticking solenoid from contaminated fluid
- Valve body wear
- Low fluid level
- Failing solenoid
How to diagnose P0796
- Check transmission fluid level and condition first
- Check for debris in the pan
- Test the solenoid and valve body
Can you drive with P0796?
Limit driving until repaired.
P0796 tips
Because pressure control solenoids share the valve body, P0796 often appears with P0776 or ratio codes. Debris in the pan is the key clue: clean fluid points to the solenoid, debris points to internal wear feeding the valve body.
Will P0796 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0796 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If the fault turns out to be internal (worn clutches, a failed converter or a damaged valve body), compare a rebuild with a replacement in transmission rebuild vs replacement and transmission replacement cost, identify your unit with what transmission do I have?, and browse our transmissions.
Shipping is a flat $80.00 per order to US addresses, with 15-day free returns. Questions? Ask a parts specialist.