Powertrain, generic · Transmission

P0981 Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit Range/Performance

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

Range/performance fault in the drive circuit of shift solenoid D. GM's Allison tables end at solenoid C, and Ford checks SSD only with P0765, P0982 and P0983, so the large North American users skip it. Two codegenau sources exist. FCA's recall S55 (NHTSA 16V-529) covers about 323,400 vehicles with the 9-speed front-drive transaxle; with old TCM software, intermittent high resistance from weak crimps in the range sensor harness could set P0981 or its siblings, and the remedy is new software plus, if a code is present, a new harness. Ferrari's DCT bulletin uses P0981 for a missing signal from the actuator 3 position sensor. Low/high for D are P0982/P0983.

Likely causes

Weak terminal crimps causing intermittent resistance (FCA recall S55)
Transmission software not yet updated by the recall
Solenoid D coil resistance out of range
Faulty driver stage in the control module

Symptoms

  • Unexpected shift to neutral while driving (FCA 9-speed)
  • MIL or transmission warning on
  • Default gear or harsh shifts

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€0–1,500
Time0.5–5 h

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

Parts involved

shift solenoid dwiring harnesstcm

Related codes

P0982P0983P097DP0765P0984P0901

References: static.nhtsa.gov, static.nhtsa.gov, law.cornell.edu.