P0773🔧 Transmission / Shift solenoidsStop and fix promptly

P0773: Shift Solenoid E Electrical (Meaning, Causes, Fixes)

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

What P0773 means

Automatic transmissions shift by sending fluid pressure to the right clutches and bands at the right time, and the shift 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 P0773 as a generic code associated with an electrical malfunction in the transmission 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 names it Shift Solenoid "E" Electrical, but its explanation uses the same generic wording as its other shift solenoid codes: the TCM sets P0773 when it detects a pressure control solenoid is not performing as desired. Note that RepairPal's P0770 page describes solenoid E as the torque converter lock-up solenoid on some vehicles, but its P0773 page doesn't say that, and OBD-Codes.com treats E as a regular shift solenoid, so check your vehicle's service information for what solenoid E controls.

Severity: can I keep driving?

Stop and fix promptly

Get it checked soon, and don't keep driving hard on it. RepairPal rates P0773 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

Likely causes

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

  1. Faulty shift solenoid (both sources)
  2. Faulty or damaged wiring, or a corroded or damaged connector (both sources list wiring)
  3. Low transmission fluid level (both sources)
  4. Transmission control module (TCM) failure (RepairPal)
  5. Dirty or contaminated fluid, or a dirty or clogged transmission filter (OBD-Codes.com)
  6. Defective valve body or restricted hydraulic passages (OBD-Codes.com)
  7. Internal transmission failure (OBD-Codes.com)
  8. 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. Write down every code stored with P0773 and the freeze frame data; other transmission codes, such as other E-solenoid codes (P0770, P0771, P0772 and P0774) or electrical codes for other solenoids such as P0753, P0758, P0763 and P0768, help narrow the problem.
  2. 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.
  3. Check the transmission fluid level and look for contamination; both sources list low fluid as a cause, and OBD-Codes.com lists dirty fluid and a clogged filter, which can make a solenoid valve stick.
  4. 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).
  5. Because P0773 points to the electrical side of the circuit, the wiring checks matter most: 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.

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 slips, overheats, sticks in a gear or goes into limp mode; RepairPal rates P0773 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
  • Several transmission codes are stored at once, or the code returns after the fluid and wiring check out

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

Is P0773 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 P0773?

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.

What does electrical mean here?

OBD-Codes.com says P0773 is associated with an electrical malfunction in the shift solenoid E circuit, so wiring, connectors and the solenoid itself are the first things to check. Neither source gives the exact electrical limits the computer uses, and they vary by transmission, so check your vehicle's service information.

What is the difference between P0772 and P0773?

Both involve shift solenoid E. OBD-Codes.com describes P0772 as a stuck-on condition and P0773 as an electrical malfunction in the circuit. The listed symptoms, causes and repairs are the same on its pages for both codes.

Why do the sources disagree?

RepairPal says the TCM sets the code when a pressure control solenoid isn't performing as desired and lists the TCM as a cause, while OBD-Codes.com describes an electrical malfunction in the solenoid E circuit seen by the PCM and lists the PCM. OBD-Codes.com also lists more causes, including dirty fluid, a clogged filter, the valve body and internal transmission failure, and rates severity as moderate at first rather than Urgent.

Sources

  1. OBD-Codes.com: P0773 Shift Solenoid E Electrical
  2. RepairPal: P0773 Shift Solenoid "E" Electrical (rated Urgent)

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