EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0964 Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit/Open

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$160–$1,980
Do it yourself
Shop job
Shop time
1–5 hours

Open circuit in the driver of pressure control solenoid B.

How the engine computer detects it

What B controls differs by transmission: GM's 8-speed uses it for clutch 2 (CB12345R), the 9-speed for CB29 and the 10-speed for CB128910R, Allison 1000 for pressure control solenoid 2, and GM's dual-clutch transmission for the even-clutch pressure valve. GM sets it at more than 200 kOhm for 0.3 s (Type A, one trip), Allison at 173 kOhm or more after an intrusive test, the dual-clutch unit after 150 ms. GM six-speeds do not use P0964; an open in their 3-5-reverse solenoid shows up as P0967. Ford's OBD summaries list no B or C codes. Depending on the clutch involved, gears are lost or the unit drops into a fixed limp gear. Siblings: P0965, P0966, P0967.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • MIL and transmission warning on
  • Certain gears missing or limp mode
  • Dual-clutch transmission drives on one sub-transmission only

Common causes

  1. Open solenoid coil Most likely
  2. Poor contact at the transmission connector or internal harness Possible
  3. Broken control wire Possible
  4. Faulty output stage in the control module Less likely

How to diagnose P0964

  1. 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.
  2. Inspect the parts involved: pressure control solenoid b, wiring harness, tcm.
  3. Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
  4. Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.

Reading the code

P
Powertrain
0
Generic (SAE) code
9
Transmission
64
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0964?

Drive gently and only as far as you need to. The engine computer may limit power to protect the engine, so avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed. If the check engine light starts flashing, pull over.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0964?

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.

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.