What P0760 means
A shift solenoid is an electrically switched valve in the valve body.
How the engine computer detects it
Manufacturers use these codes differently: Ford reports an open circuit with the base code and shorts separately, and the letter is not tied to a valve number (Saab's Aisin 9-5: C = valve S4, D = valve S5). P0760 is the general code for solenoid C and, at Ford, means an open circuit: the smart driver feedback disagrees with the command for 0.5–5 s, continuously; shorts to ground and power are P0979/P0980. On Ford's 6R80, 6F35/6F55 and 6R140, solenoid C is the proportional valve of the CB26 brake for second and sixth gear. If the solenoid supply is switched off, Ford transmissions keep park, reverse, neutral and fifth gear with maximum pressure.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine or transmission warning lamp
- Limp mode in a fixed gear (Ford: fifth with maximum pressure)
- Second and sixth gear missing (Ford CB26)
Common causes
- Open or corroded wire, connector or internal harness Most likely
- Solenoid coil open or shorted Possible
- Solenoid supply (high-side switch) missing Less likely
- Module driver faulty Less likely
How to diagnose P0760
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: shift solenoid, transmission valve body, transmission wiring, transmission control module.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Reading the code
- P
- Powertrain
- 0
- Generic (SAE) code
- 7
- Transmission
- 60
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0760?
If the car shifts normally, drive gently to a shop. If it's stuck in one gear, slips, shifts harshly or won't move out of Park, don't drive it: have it towed.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0760?
Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.
Often reported together
Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0760. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.