P0745🔧 Automatic transmission (pressure control)Stop and fix promptly

P0745: Pressure Control Solenoid A Malfunction (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Based on 2 cited source(s)

What P0745 means

Automatic transmissions change gears by applying clutches and bands with hydraulic fluid pressure. Pressure control solenoids, usually at least an A, B and C, regulate that pressure. OBD-Codes.com says the powertrain control module (PCM) sets P0745 when pressure control solenoid A is experiencing a general malfunction, and that the other solenoid A codes are P0746, P0747, P0748 and P0749, each set for a more specific fault. RepairPal says the transmission control module (TCM) sets P0745 when it detects that a pressure control solenoid is not performing as desired, and in its detailed explanation says the PCM is either not seeing the specified electrical voltage drops from the solenoid, or sees correct electrical readings but the solenoid's performance is incorrect. The two sources name a different module because some vehicles control the transmission from the PCM and others from a separate TCM; it's the same fault. RepairPal's title also leaves out the letter in places ("Pressure Control Solenoid Malfunction"), while OBD-Codes.com and RepairPal's headline both say solenoid A. This is a generic code for vehicles with automatic transmissions, and OBD-Codes.com lists Ford, Mercury, Lincoln, Jaguar, Chevrolet, Toyota, Nissan, Allison/Duramax, Dodge, Jeep, Honda and Acura among them, but notes exact repair steps vary by year, make, model and powertrain.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get it fixed soon and drive gently until you do. Sources differ on how serious it is: RepairPal rates P0745 Urgent, meaning immediate action is needed because it can cause severe damage, while OBD-Codes.com says it normally starts as moderate but can progress to a more severe level rapidly if not corrected in a timely manner. RepairPal adds that the vehicle may not be driveable. If the transmission slips, overheats, shifts harshly or drops into limp mode, avoid highway driving and towing and get it to a shop before more damage is done.

Common symptoms

Likely causes

Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.

  1. Defective pressure control solenoid (both sources)
  2. Corroded or damaged connector, or faulty or damaged wiring (both sources)
  3. Dirty or contaminated transmission fluid that restricts hydraulic passages (both sources)
  4. Defective transmission valve body (both sources)
  5. Dirty or clogged transmission filter, or a defective transmission pump (OBD-Codes.com)
  6. Faulty PCM (OBD-Codes.com)

Diagnostic steps you can do

⚠ Before you start

Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.

  1. Check the transmission fluid level and look at its condition, following your owner's manual procedure. RepairPal says healthy fluid is a clear cranberry color, while dirty, brown or burnt fluid points to trouble.
  2. Find out when the transmission fluid and filter were last changed. OBD-Codes.com recommends checking service records before changing the fluid.
  3. Visually inspect the wiring and connectors to the transmission, the pressure control solenoids and the PCM for damage, corrosion, loose connections or damaged pins.
  4. Read all stored codes. Both sources list engine misfire and driveline problems as possible misdiagnoses, and OBD-Codes.com adds transmission pump and internal transmission problems, so other codes can point you in the right direction.

Typical fixes

Repair costs vary widely by vehicle, region, parts brand and shop, so we don't quote prices. Get a written estimate after diagnosis.

🛠 When to call a pro

  • The transmission is slipping, overheating, catching in gear, stuck in limp mode or won't drive
  • RepairPal's shop procedure records freeze frame data, test drives at that road speed while watching the solenoid's commanded duty cycle on a scan tool, then does voltage drop and continuity tests and checks the solenoid's performance with a pressure gauge
  • Testing needs a digital multimeter and vehicle-specific voltage and fluid pressure specifications (OBD-Codes.com)
  • OBD-Codes.com recommends checking technical service bulletins (TSBs) for your year, model and transmission first, which a dealer or shop can look up

Where to buy

Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.

OBD2 scanners on Amazon Parts at Advance Auto Parts catalog at RockAuto

FAQs

Can I drive with P0745?

Only gently and briefly. RepairPal rates it Urgent and says the vehicle may not be driveable, and OBD-Codes.com says it can go from moderate to severe rapidly if not corrected, so get it diagnosed before the transmission is damaged further.

Is P0745 always a bad solenoid?

No. Both sources also list wiring or connector problems, dirty fluid and the valve body, and OBD-Codes.com adds a clogged filter, the transmission pump and the PCM. Check fluid and wiring before buying a solenoid.

What's the difference between P0745, P0746 and P0747?

All three are about pressure control solenoid A. OBD-Codes.com describes P0745 as a general malfunction, P0746 as a performance or stuck-off problem and P0747 as the solenoid stuck on.

How much does it cost to fix P0745?

Neither source gives a repair cost. It ranges widely depending on whether the fix is a fluid service, wiring, the solenoid, the valve body or the pump, so get a diagnosis and written estimate first.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0745 Pressure Control Solenoid A Malfunction (John Ingalls, former service manager and Air Force mechanic)
  2. RepairPal: P0745 Pressure Control Solenoid "A" (rated Urgent)

Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.