What Does P0976 Mean?
The TCM has detected that the Shift Solenoid B (SS-B) control circuit voltage is below the expected threshold, indicating a short to ground. The SS-B circuit is held low regardless of TCM commands, locking the solenoid in one state and preventing proper hydraulic routing for gear changes. The transmission may be stuck in an unintended gear or operating in limp mode with the check engine and transmission warning lights illuminated.
Safety Warning
The transmission cannot shift properly and may be stuck in one gear or limp mode. This severely limits speed and acceleration, creating safety concerns in highway or merging scenarios. Drive only as needed to reach a repair facility.
Common Causes
35%
Short to ground in the SS-B internal transmission wiring harness
30%
Shift Solenoid B coil internally shorted, reducing circuit resistance
20%
Corroded or contaminated pins at the transmission case connector causing ground contact
10%
External harness chafed against chassis or body ground between TCM and transmission
5%
TCM internal SS-B driver circuit failed low
Diagnostic Steps
1
Disconnect the transmission case connector and measure SS-B solenoid resistance — a reading well below specification indicates an internally shorted solenoid coil.
2
With the connector disconnected, measure insulation resistance from each SS-B wire to the transmission case — should exceed 10K ohms. Low readings identify a ground fault in the harness.
3
Inspect the case connector for signs of fluid contamination, corroded terminals, or pin-to-case shorts. Clean, dry, and inspect all terminals carefully.
4
Trace the external wiring harness from TCM to the transmission, checking for chafed insulation or contact with ground surfaces.
5
If all wiring and solenoid tests are normal, measure voltage at the TCM SS-B output to determine if the TCM driver is internally pulling the circuit low.
Estimated Repair Cost
$200 - $1,400
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
The TCM has detected that the Shift Solenoid B (SS-B) control circuit voltage is below the expected threshold, indicating a short to ground. The SS-B circuit is held low regardless of TCM commands, locking the solenoid in one state and preventing proper hydraulic routing for gear changes. The transm...
The most common cause of P0976 (Shift Solenoid "B" Control Circuit Low) is: Short to ground in the SS-B internal transmission wiring harness
Typical repair costs for P0976 range from $200 to $1,400, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
The transmission cannot shift properly and may be stuck in one gear or limp mode. This severely limits speed and acceleration, creating safety concerns in highway or merging scenarios. Drive only as needed to reach a repair facility.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P0976 to identify the root cause.
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Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Automatic Transmission / Transaxle
Difficulty
Type
Generic (SAE)
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
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