What P0973 means
Low-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid A, usually a short to ground.
How the engine computer detects it
Ford lists it as SSA short to ground beside P0750 (open) for the 5R110W, 6R80, 6F and 6R140, checked by a driver feedback line within 0.5 to 5 s. GM six-speeds (6L/6T) call SS A the mode 2 solenoid and set P0973 after 1.2 of 1.5 s, MIL after one trip. The Saab 9-4X 6T70 needs 2 s, Type A, then only reverse and 5th remain. GM's 2016 Allison 1000 table folds ground short (0.42 ohm or less) and open (200 kOhm or more) into this code over 10 counts. Saab's Aisin transmission in the 9-5 (2010) maps it to shift solenoid valve 2. High side is P0974.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- MIL on after the first faulty trip on many vehicles
- Limp mode with only a few gears, often reverse plus one forward gear
- Harsh engagements due to maximum line pressure
- Torque converter lockup and manual shifting disabled
Common causes
- Control wire to solenoid A chafed through and shorted to ground Most likely
- Internal short in solenoid A or the control solenoid assembly Possible
- Fluid or metal debris bridging pins at the transmission connector Possible
- Faulty low-side driver in the transmission or powertrain module Less likely
How to diagnose P0973
- 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 a, wiring harness, tcm.
- 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
- 9
- Transmission
- 73
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0973?
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 P0973?
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.