P0745: Gearbox pressure control solenoid fault
The solenoid that sets fluid pressure in the automatic gearbox has a fault, so shifts may be harsh or soft. Check the fluid and wiring first.
| Code | P0745 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P07xx, Transmission |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | With care |
What P0745 means
The pressure control solenoid sets the fluid pressure the automatic gearbox uses to clamp its internal clutches. It decides whether gear changes are smooth yet firm. The control unit has found a fault with the pressure control solenoid or its circuit, without saying whether it is electrical or mechanical.
Most common causes
- Low or badly worn gearbox fluid
- Connector for the pressure control solenoid loose, corroded or with fluid inside
- Damaged wiring between the control unit and the gearbox
- The pressure control solenoid failed or jammed with dirt
- Dirty or worn valve body
- Transmission control unit (uncommon)
Symptoms
- Engine or gearbox warning light on
- Harsh shifts or, the opposite, soft and slipping ones
- Clunk when selecting D or R
- Gearbox goes into limp mode
Can you drive with P0745?
With care You can drive gently to a garage, though the gearbox may drop into limp mode and lose gears. If it slips, the more you use it the more it wears.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
First check the gearbox fluid level and colour if there is a dipstick, and look at the gearbox connector for looseness or fluid inside. Note which gear and what temperature the fault appears at so you can tell the garage.
How to read and clear P0745 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0745 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
This code is usually stored by the gearbox control unit. If the car reports it over standard OBD, you read it for nothing with FREE; to read it straight from the gearbox control unit, with its description and clearing, you need PRO.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0741 Torque converter clutch poor performance or not engaging
- P0742 Torque converter clutch stuck engaged
- P0743 Torque converter clutch circuit electrical fault
- P0744 Torque converter clutch circuit intermittent fault
- P0746 Pressure control solenoid poor performance or stuck off
- P0747 Pressure control solenoid stuck on
- P0748 Pressure control solenoid electrical fault
- P0749 The pressure control solenoid fails now and then
- P0700 Transmission control system: fault detected
- P0701 Transmission control system: range/performance
- P0702 Transmission control system: electrical fault
- P0703 Torque converter/brake switch B: circuit fault
What does code P0745 mean?
The pressure control solenoid sets the fluid pressure the automatic gearbox uses to clamp its internal clutches. It decides whether gear changes are smooth yet firm. The control unit has found a fault with the pressure control solenoid or its circuit, without saying whether it is electrical or mechanical.
Can you drive with P0745?
You can drive gently to a garage, though the gearbox may drop into limp mode and lose gears. If it slips, the more you use it the more it wears.
How do you clear P0745?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0745 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
