P0750: Shift solenoid A circuit malfunction

Shift solenoid A malfunction

Severity: Inspect soon

Toyota tells owners to have the car inspected right away when the check engine light comes on for the automatic transmission, and shift solenoids are monitored transmission outputs.

It gets more serious if:

Not verified: The transmission stays in one gear (limp-home or fail-safe mode). Hyundai says solenoid faults can hold the transaxle in 3rd and regulations require the light in limp-home mode, but we found no source saying whether you must stop

Source: how we rate severity

P0750 in short

P0750 means the transmission computer found a fault in shift solenoid A or its circuit. Solenoid A often handles the first-to-second shift, so the car may hold one gear. Wiring, fluid and the solenoid are common causes, and Toyota and Ford bulletins point to the computer or fuses on some models. Have it inspected soon.

Shift solenoids are valves the transmission computer switches to change gear. P0750 sets when the computer sees a fault in solenoid A or its circuit, such as an open or short. Which gears solenoid A controls varies by transmission.

Many transmissions go into a fail-safe gear when a shift solenoid fails, so the car may start in a higher gear or not shift at all. Toyota covers harsh shifts with P0750 on the 2001–2003 RAV4, Ford linked it to blown fuses on the 1999 Windstar, and Chrysler and Hyundai also have bulletins.

Check wiring and fuses before replacing the solenoid.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Solenoid wiring, connector or fuse fault
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
P0750 is a circuit fault on a monitored output, and Ford linked it to open fuses on the 1999 Windstar.
What would change this
Rises if a fuse is blown or the circuit is open or shorted.
Cause 2: Faulty shift solenoid A
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
The solenoid is the controlled part, and a code reference lists it among common causes.
What would change this
Rises if the solenoid fails a resistance or command test after wiring is ruled out.
Cause 3: Low or dirty transmission fluid
Possible — needs testing
Why it ranks here
A code reference lists fluid problems, which can make a solenoid stick.
What would change this
Rises if fluid is low, dark or contaminated.
Cause 4: Engine or transmission computer (some Toyota RAV4)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Toyota covers harsh shifts and P0750 on the 2001–2003 RAV4, and owners report dealers replacing the engine computer for it.
What would change this
Rises on a 2001–2003 RAV4 with several solenoid codes and harsh shifting.
How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

Step 1: Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.
Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module
- IfOther transmission codes are stored with P0750
  It meansSeveral solenoid codes together point to shared power, a fuse or the computer.
  Points to: Solenoid wiring, connector or fuse fault
- IfP0750 alone
  It meansCheck for a bulletin.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Check for a P0750 bulletin for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.
Low risk
- IfA 2001–2003 Toyota RAV4 with harsh shifts
  It meansToyota has a bulletin.
  Points to: Engine or transmission computer (some Toyota RAV4)
- IfA 1999 Ford Windstar with P0750 and P0760
  It meansFord points to fuses 10 and 20.
  Points to: Solenoid wiring, connector or fuse fault
- IfNo bulletin applies
  It meansA shop needs to test the solenoid circuit.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Have a shop check the solenoid circuit and command the solenoid with a scan tool.
Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with transmission output controls
Warning:Shop test. It needs the maker's wiring diagram and test procedure.
- IfThe circuit is open or shorted
  It meansRepair the wiring.
  Points to: Solenoid wiring, connector or fuse fault
- IfThe circuit is good but the solenoid does not respond
  It meansThe solenoid is the likely fault.
  Points to: Faulty shift solenoid A

Symptoms

Check engine light
Harsh shifts
Will not shift out of first, or starts off in a higher gear
Transmission stuck in one gear (limp-home mode) Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: Do not clear the code before the transmission module has been read.
Step 2: Check the transmission fuses listed in the owner's manual before replacing parts.
Step 3: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open P0750 bulletin.

Parts and cost context

Transmission control module (TCM):Do not replace the computer for P0750 until wiring, fuses and the solenoid are checked, except where a bulletin such as Toyota's for the 2001–2003 RAV4 points to it.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Toyota

2001–2003 · RAV4
Supported by vehicle data
Toyota TSB-0156-10 covers harsh shifts and the MIL with P0750 and other solenoid codes. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

TSB-0156-10Status unverified
Harsh shift and/or MIL with P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 or P1760
2001–2003rav4 · issued June 22, 2010 · NHTSA 10034126
Covers 4-speed automatic models. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Ford

1999 · Windstar
Supported by vehicle data
Ford 13466 links P0750 and P0760 to open fuses 10 and 20. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

13466Status unverified
Check engine light with P0750, P0760 and open fuses
1999windstar · issued November 1, 1999 · NHTSA 610884
P0750 and P0760 and/or open fuse 10 (passenger fuse panel) and fuse 20 (battery junction box). Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
Hyundai TSB 09-AT-011: Transaxle solenoid codes and 3rd-gear fail-safe — Hyundai Motor America / NHTSA , June 1, 2009
Ford 13466: Check engine light with P0750, P0760 and open fuses — Ford Motor Company / NHTSA , November 1, 1999
P0750 OBD-II Trouble Code: Shift Solenoid A Malfunction — Kelley Blue Book
Toyota TSB-0156-10: Harsh shift and/or MIL with P0750, P0753, P0755, P0758 or P1760 — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA , June 22, 2010
DTC P0700 — Saab 9-5 (9650) 2010 Workshop Information System — SaabWISOnline (community rehost of Saab/GM service information)
Chrysler 2100905: MIL for P0750, P0755, P0760, P0765 and others — DaimlerChrysler / NHTSA , March 22, 2005

Last reviewed: October 15, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Solenoid wiring, connector or fuse fault

Cause 2: Faulty shift solenoid A

Cause 3: Low or dirty transmission fluid

Cause 4: Engine or transmission computer (some Toyota RAV4)

What to test first

Step 1: Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.

Step 2: Check for a P0750 bulletin for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.

Step 3: Have a shop check the solenoid circuit and command the solenoid with a scan tool.