Powertrain, generic · Transmission

P08E4 Shift Solenoid L Control Circuit Low

Check engine lightOn

EmissionsRelevant

Drive cycleNot required

Limp modePossible

Low-voltage fault in the control circuit of shift solenoid L. Usually it means a short to ground on the control wire, less often a coil with shorted windings that pulls the voltage down. No manufacturer documents this code publicly. GM's analogue for solenoid A, P0973 on the 6-speed units, needs a ground-short flag from the output hardware for 1.2 of 1.5 seconds and lights the MIL after one trip; Ford names P0973 a short to ground and runs the check continuously. CARB requires circuit monitoring. P08E5 is the high-voltage counterpart, P08E6 the open circuit. A shorted output usually forces the TCM into a safe substitute gear, and acceleration feels weaker.

Likely causes

Control wire shorted to ground

Coil with shorted windings

Fluid or moisture in the connector creating a path to ground

Symptoms

Check engine or transmission warning light on
Transmission locked in a substitute gear
Weak acceleration

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job

Parts and labour€100–1,500

Time1–5 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

shift solenoid lwiring harness

References: gsi.ext.gm.com, fordservicecontent.com, law.cornell.edu.