P0770: Shift Solenoid E Malfunction (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)
What P0770 means
Automatic transmissions shift by sending fluid pressure to the right clutches and bands at the right time, and solenoids open and close valves in the valve body to do that. OBD-Codes.com (John Ingalls, former service manager and Air Force mechanic) describes P0770 as a generic code for a general malfunction in the shift solenoid E circuit, detected by the powertrain control module (PCM), on vehicles including Chrysler, Ford, Dodge, Hyundai, Kia, Ram, Lexus, Toyota, Mazda, Honda and VW. It says the number of shift solenoids depends on how many gears the transmission has, that the E-solenoid codes are P0770 through P0774, and that an overdrive or other transmission warning lamp may also come on. RepairPal's short explanation uses its generic shift solenoid wording (the transmission control module, or TCM, sets the code when a shift solenoid is not performing as desired), but its detailed section defines P0770 as Shift Solenoid E Malfunction (Lock-Up Converter Solenoid). It says the code sets when the computer sees more than a 200 RPM difference between the torque converter and the transmission input shaft when the lockup clutch should be holding them at a 1 to 1 ratio. Which job solenoid E does depends on the transmission, so check your vehicle's service information.
Severity: can I keep driving?
Stop and fix promptly
Get it checked soon, and don't keep driving hard on it. RepairPal rates P0770 Urgent, meaning it can cause severe damage or be unsafe. OBD-Codes.com says the severity normally starts as moderate but can become severe rapidly if it isn't fixed, and lists transmission slipping, overheating, catching in gear and limp mode among the symptoms. If the transmission slips, overheats, gets stuck in one gear or drops into limp mode, limit driving and have it diagnosed. An open code can also fail an OBD2 emissions inspection.
Common symptoms
- Check engine light on (both sources); an overdrive or transmission warning lamp may also light (OBD-Codes.com)
- Decrease in fuel economy (both sources)
- Possible misfire-like symptoms (both sources)
- Transmission slipping, overheating or catching in gear (OBD-Codes.com)
- Vehicle enters limp mode (OBD-Codes.com)
- Won't shift into the highest gear at freeway speed (RepairPal)
- Engine may die when coming to a stop after freeway driving; in unusual cases no noticeable problem (RepairPal)
Likely causes
Roughly most to least common, based on the sources below. Your vehicle may differ.
- Faulty shift solenoid, or on RepairPal's description a defective torque converter lockup solenoid (both sources)
- Defective transmission valve body (both sources)
- Dirty or contaminated fluid restricting hydraulic passages (both sources)
- Low transmission fluid level, or a dirty or clogged transmission filter (OBD-Codes.com)
- Corroded or damaged connector, or faulty or damaged wiring (OBD-Codes.com)
- Internal transmission failure (OBD-Codes.com)
- Faulty PCM (OBD-Codes.com)
- Defective engine coolant temperature sensor or defective torque converter clutch (RepairPal)
Diagnostic steps you can do
Work on a cool engine, parked on level ground with the parking brake set. Never work under a car supported only by a jack.
- Write down every code stored with P0770 and the freeze frame data; other transmission codes, such as other E-solenoid codes (P0771, P0772, P0773 and P0774), help narrow the problem. RepairPal warns that P0770 is sometimes misdiagnosed as an engine misfire, an internal transmission problem or a driveline problem.
- Look up technical service bulletins for your year, model and transmission, and check when the fluid and filter were last changed, as OBD-Codes.com recommends.
- Check the transmission fluid level and look for contamination; both sources point to fluid condition.
- Inspect the wiring and connectors to the transmission solenoids, transmission pump and PCM for scraping, rubbing, bare wires, burn spots, corrosion and damaged pins, and check the shift linkage for security and binding where your transmission has one (OBD-Codes.com).
- With power removed, OBD-Codes.com says wiring continuity should read 0 ohms unless your service data says otherwise; resistance or no continuity points to an open or shorted wire. Voltage specs vary by vehicle, so follow your vehicle's troubleshooting chart.
- For a shop with a scan tool, RepairPal suggests trying to recreate the fault on a warmed-up test drive above 45 MPH while comparing torque converter speed with input shaft speed. It says converter slip should stay under about 50 RPM when lockup is working, and high slip while the lockup solenoid is commanded fully on points to a bad solenoid or a slipping converter clutch.
Typical fixes
- Repair or replace the faulty shift solenoid, or the lockup solenoid on transmissions where solenoid E controls lockup (both sources)
- Repair or replace a defective valve body (both sources)
- Change the fluid and filter, or flush the transmission to clean restricted passages (OBD-Codes.com; RepairPal lists dirty fluid as a cause)
- Clean corroded connectors and repair or replace damaged wiring (OBD-Codes.com)
- OBD-Codes.com also lists repairing or replacing the transmission and flashing or replacing the PCM; RepairPal also lists the coolant temperature sensor and torque converter clutch as causes
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 slips, overheats, sticks in a gear or goes into limp mode; RepairPal rates P0770 Urgent
- OBD-Codes.com says the advanced steps are vehicle specific and need a digital multimeter and the vehicle's own technical references, with voltage specs varying by year and model
- RepairPal's lockup diagnosis needs a scan tool that shows converter slip speed and lockup solenoid duty cycle during a test drive
- Several transmission codes are stored at once, or the engine stalls when coming to a stop
Where to buy
Plain search links. Always match parts to your exact year, make, model and engine.
FAQs
Is P0770 serious?
Yes, it should be fixed soon. RepairPal rates it Urgent. OBD-Codes.com says it usually starts as moderate but can become severe rapidly if not corrected, with slipping, overheating, catching in gear and limp mode possible.
Can I drive with P0770?
Neither source gives a safe distance. Because RepairPal rates it Urgent and OBD-Codes.com says it can worsen quickly, keep driving to a minimum and stop if the transmission slips, overheats or goes into limp mode.
Is shift solenoid E the torque converter lockup solenoid?
It depends on the transmission. RepairPal defines P0770 as the lock-up converter solenoid and describes it as a converter slip problem. OBD-Codes.com describes it as one of the shift solenoids without tying it to lockup. Check your vehicle's service information to see what solenoid E controls.
What are the other E solenoid codes?
OBD-Codes.com lists P0770 through P0774 as the E-solenoid codes. RepairPal names them P0771 Performance/Stuck Off, P0772 Stuck On, P0773 Electrical and P0774 Intermittent.
Why do the sources disagree?
OBD-Codes.com describes a general malfunction in the solenoid E circuit detected by the PCM and lists wiring, connectors, low fluid and the PCM among the causes. RepairPal describes a torque converter lockup problem, setting the code at more than 200 RPM of converter slip, and lists the coolant temperature sensor and torque converter clutch instead. OBD-Codes.com also rates severity as moderate at first rather than Urgent.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-25. Code definitions and repair steps can vary by manufacturer. Confirm with your vehicle's service information.