What Does P0926 Mean?
The TCM has detected that the gear shift reverse actuator circuit voltage is below the expected range, indicating a short to ground or actuator motor failure. The reverse actuator handles rearward shift motion for even-numbered gears (2nd, 4th, 6th) and reverse. A low circuit fault prevents proper actuation of these gears.
Safety Warning
Even-numbered gears and reverse may not engage properly, severely limiting transmission function. Do not drive; have the vehicle towed.
Common Causes
35%
Short to ground in reverse actuator wiring harness
30%
Reverse actuator motor internal short to case ground
20%
TCM output driver failure shorted low
15%
Moisture or contamination in actuator connector creating ground path
Diagnostic Steps
1
Step 1: Disconnect the reverse actuator and measure motor insulation to case — should be greater than 10M ohms; low readings indicate internal short to ground.
2
Step 2: With actuator disconnected, check each harness wire for shorts to ground at the TCM end — should read OL.
3
Step 3: Inspect the connector and harness for moisture, corrosion, or chafing against grounded transmission components.
4
Step 4: Measure motor winding resistance — significantly below specification indicates shorted turns.
5
Step 5: If external circuits test good, check TCM output driver function by monitoring pin voltage during commanded operation.
Estimated Repair Cost
$150 - $1,200
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The TCM has detected that the gear shift reverse actuator circuit voltage is below the expected range, indicating a short to ground or actuator motor failure. The reverse actuator handles rearward shift motion for even-numbered gears (2nd, 4th, 6th) and reverse. A low circuit fault prevents proper a...
The most common cause of P0926 (Gear Shift Reverse Actuator Circuit Low) is: Short to ground in reverse actuator wiring harness
Typical repair costs for P0926 range from $150 to $1,200, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
Even-numbered gears and reverse may not engage properly, severely limiting transmission function. Do not drive; have the vehicle towed.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0926 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Automated Manual Transmission (Shift Control)
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
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