P0985 — Shift Solenoid "E" Control Circuit Low

P0985 — Shift Solenoid "E" Control Circuit Low. A fault in the automatic transmission control. Short, gentle driving to a shop is usually possible. Typical causes: wiring or connector faults in the valve body harness, failed shift or pressure control solenoid, faulty transmission speed sensor.

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Drive with caution Drive only if the transmission still shifts predictably, and avoid highway speeds. Driving with slipping or limp mode accelerates internal wear — every kilometre can add to the final repair bill.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P0985 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the automatic transmission control for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Check for supply voltage at the shift solenoid "E" control connector first; then measure resistance from the signal wire to ground — near-zero ohms confirms a short to ground in the harness.
Subsystem check Check transmission fluid level and condition — dark, burnt fluid points to internal wear.
Subsystem check Read transmission-specific codes and live data (solenoid states, input/output speed) with a capable scanner.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P0985 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P0985 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Transmission rebuild or replacement: $2,500–$5,500; Transmission fluid service: $150–$350; Valve body repair or replacement: $700–$1,500; Replace a shift solenoid: $300–$800. Overall, fixing P0985 usually costs between $150 and $5,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

How much does it cost to fix P0985?

Transmission rebuild or replacement — $2,500–$5,500; Transmission fluid service — $150–$350; Valve body repair or replacement — $700–$1,500; Replace a shift solenoid — $300–$800. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

Is it safe to drive with P0985?

Drive only if the transmission still shifts predictably, and avoid highway speeds. Driving with slipping or limp mode accelerates internal wear — every kilometre can add to the final repair bill.

What does OBD2 code P0985 mean?

How do I diagnose P0985 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P0985, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the shift solenoid "E" control, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Will P0985 clear itself?

Sometimes P0985 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

When your vehicle's computer detects that the automatic transmission is not behaving according to factory specifications, it logs a diagnostic trouble code to flag the problem. Code P0985 specifically indicates that the control circuit for Shift Solenoid "E" is reading abnormally low voltage — essentially, the signal is staying near ground when it should be fluctuating. The transmission control module expects to see specific voltage patterns from this solenoid circuit; when that pattern collapses to a consistently low state, the module stores P0985 and illuminates the check engine light.

Shift Solenoid "E" is one of several electromechanical valves inside the automatic transmission that govern gear engagement and shift quality. These solenoids receive commands from the transmission control unit (TCU) or engine control module (ECM), which decides when to route hydraulic fluid to clutch packs and planetary gear sets. When the control circuit for this particular solenoid fails to deliver the proper voltage signal, the module can no longer reliably actuate that valve. That disruption cascades into incorrect gear selection, harsh shifts, or complete transmission failure to move the vehicle. The underlying reason for the low voltage could be a short to ground somewhere in the wiring, a failed solenoid pulling the circuit down, missing supply voltage, or damaged connectors interrupting the signal path.

To set P0985, the control module monitors the solenoid circuit over multiple drive cycles and compares live sensor data against its calibrated operating parameters. If the voltage remains outside the acceptable range long enough to satisfy the failure criteria, the code is stored and a freeze frame snapshot is captured — a frozen record of engine RPM, load, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the fault occurred. That snapshot is invaluable during diagnosis because it tells you exactly what conditions triggered the code.

Symptoms of P0985

Noticeable slipping between gears during acceleration or under load
Check Engine light or transmission warning indicator illuminated on the dash
Complete loss of forward or reverse movement in severe cases
Harsh, jerky, or noticeably delayed gear shifts
Transmission locked into a single gear (commonly called limp mode), preventing normal operation
Shuddering or vibration felt at highway speeds, especially during acceleration
Unusual sounds such as whining or grinding from the transmission area

Common Causes of P0985

Wiring insulation chafed or melted, allowing the signal wire to short directly to ground
Shift Solenoid "E" itself has failed and is dragging the circuit voltage low
Supply voltage to the solenoid circuit is missing or insufficient due to a power feed issue
Internal transmission wear affecting clutches, bands, or the torque converter
Corroded, loose, or damaged connectors in the valve body wiring harness
Adjacent shift solenoids or pressure control solenoids malfunctioning and affecting circuit behavior
Faulty transmission speed sensor providing incorrect data to the control module
Worn or contaminated valve body passages and machined surfaces

How to Diagnose P0985

Connect an OBD2 scanner compatible with your vehicle and confirm that P0985 is stored in the transmission or powertrain control module. Save the freeze frame data before clearing anything — this record shows the exact operating conditions when the fault was detected.
Look for any related diagnostic trouble codes. Secondary codes often point to the root cause, such as sensor failures or power supply issues that accompanied P0985. Check for any manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) covering this code on your specific make and model — some failures have known factory fixes or software updates.
Perform a thorough visual inspection of the transmission wiring harness and all related connectors. Look for damaged insulation, exposed wires, corrosion, moisture intrusion, or loose terminal fit that could cause a short to ground.
Test the circuit at the Shift Solenoid "E" connector. Verify that proper supply voltage is present, then measure resistance from the signal wire to ground — a reading near zero ohms confirms a short circuit in the harness.
Inspect the transmission fluid level and condition. Dark, burnt-smelling, or foamy fluid suggests excessive heat and internal wear, which may be contributing to solenoid or valve body problems.
Use a transmission-specific scanner to read live data: solenoid duty cycle, input/output speed sensors, and pressure readings. Compare these values against manufacturer specifications to identify anomalies beyond what P0985 alone reveals.
Clear the code and perform a complete drive cycle that recreates the freeze frame conditions (same speed, load, and temperature). Verify that P0985 does not return; if it does, the root cause has not been resolved.

Repair Options and Costs

Addressing the underlying cause of P0985 varies significantly in scope and expense depending on which component failed:

Transmission rebuild or replacement — $2,500–$5,500. Full teardown and overhaul or unit exchange is the most expensive scenario, typically required when internal mechanical failure is confirmed.
Transmission fluid and filter service — $150–$350. Fluid contamination or low level can trigger solenoid behavior faults and is the least costly item to rule out or correct first.
Valve body repair or replacement — $700–$1,500. The valve body houses the solenoids; wear, scoring, or electronic faults in this assembly are a common source of P0985.
Shift Solenoid "E" replacement — $300–$800. If testing confirms the solenoid itself is faulty, replacing just that component is the most targeted and economical fix.

Total repair cost for P0985 typically ranges from $150 for a simple fluid service up to $5,500 for a complete transmission replacement. The wide range reflects how many different failure points can produce the same code. A methodical diagnosis before purchasing parts prevents spending thousands on a transmission when the real culprit turns out to be a $15 wiring connector.

Can You Drive With P0985?

If the transmission still shifts and moves the vehicle without slipping or shuddering, limited local driving may be acceptable while you arrange a repair. However, avoid highway speeds and heavy loads. Continuing to drive with active slipping, harsh shifting, or limp mode forces the transmission to work under stressed conditions, accelerating internal wear and potentially converting a solenoid fault into a catastrophic transmission failure. The safer approach is to diagnose and repair P0985 at the earliest opportunity rather than risk compounding the damage.