P0797 Pressure control solenoid C stuck on

Pressure control / TFP solenoid C stuck on

P0797 in short

P0797 means the transmission computer found pressure control solenoid C stuck on. GM links it to binding shifts, valve body debris or a worn hub seal ring, and owners also find wiring faults. Harsh shifts or slipping can follow. Get it inspected soon, and stop if the transmission drops out of gear.

A pressure control solenoid sets the fluid pressure that applies a clutch. P0797 is set when solenoid C looks stuck on, meaning pressure stays applied when the computer wants it released.

GM bulletins give two mechanical causes: on 6T75 transmissions, worn hub seal rings can cause binding on the 3-4 and 4-3 shifts with P0797, and on 2010 and 2011 trucks, debris in the valve body can set it along with several neighbouring codes. A 2011-2014 Volt bulletin pairs P0797 in the transmission module with P0700 in the engine module.

Not every case is mechanical. A Nissan dealer fixed a broken ground wire behind P0797 on a 2005 Maxima, though the jerking returned. A 2023 Traverse had burned fluid and an internal fault.

Most likely causes

  1. Worn hub seal rings (6T75)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM 07-07-30-022 says to measure the side clearance of the hub seal rings and replace the hub and rings if needed on 6T75 transmissions with P0797 and a 3-4 or 4-3 binding shift. Summary only.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2007-2008 GM 6T75 with binding on those shifts. Falls on other transmissions or if the clearance is within specification.

  2. Debris in the valve body

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM PIP4831E lists P0797 among codes where debris in the valve body is the thing to look for, on 2010-2011 trucks and SUVs.
    What would change this
    Rises if the pan or valve body shows metal or clutch material. Falls if both are clean.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  3. Wiring, connector or ground fault

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    A dealer found a broken ground wire on a 2005 Maxima with P0797, and TroubleCodes.net lists wiring and poor connections.
    What would change this
    Rises if a continuity test finds a broken wire or poor ground. Falls if the wiring tests good.

  4. Internal transmission wear or burnt fluid

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    A 2023 Traverse dealer found burned fluid with P0797 and P0700, and a 2007 Acadia owner saw the car drop out of gear. Complaint data only.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fluid is burnt or the transmission slips. Falls if the fluid is clean and shifts are smooth.

What to test first

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

  1. Read all codes from the transmission and engine modules and note shift solenoid and pressure control codes stored with P0797.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module

    • IfP0700 is stored in the engine module with P0797 in the transmission module

      It meansThis is the pairing in the GM Volt bulletin; diagnose from the P0797 code.

      Go to step 2

    • IfSeveral solenoid codes are stored

      It meansLook at fluid and valve body condition.

      Go to step 3

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a bulletin for P0797, such as the hub seal ring or valve body debris bulletins.

    Low risk

  3. Have the transmission fluid and pan inspected for burnt smell, metal or clutch material, and the wiring and ground tested.

    Use caution

    Warning:The pan is under the car and the fluid can be hot. Leave this to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine or transmission warning light
  • Harsh or jerky shifts
  • Binding on a specific shift such as 3-4
  • Transmission drops out of gear or burnt fluid smell Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Ask a dealer whether a bulletin applies to your VIN for P0797.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):Not the first suspect for P0797; GM bulletins point to seal rings and valve body debris. Labor varies; get a quote.

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

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

GMC

  • 2007–2008 · Acadia

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM 07-07-30-022 ties P0797 to hub seal ring wear on the 6T75; an owner also reports P0797 with P0752 after the car dropped out of gear.

  • 070730022Status unverified

    6T75 binding on 3-4 or 4-3 shift, P0797

    2007acadia · NHTSA 10023216

    Measure side clearance between the hub seal rings and groove; replace the hub and seal rings if needed.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP4831E-gmcStatus unverified

    Look for debris in the valve body for P0797 and related codes

    2010–2011sierra-1500, sierra-2500-hd, sierra-3500-hd, yukon · NHTSA 10154593

    Same bulletin as the Chevrolet entry.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • PIP4831EStatus unverified

    Look for debris in the valve body for P0797 and related codes

    2010–2011silverado-1500, silverado-2500-hd, silverado-3500-hd, tahoe · NHTSA 10154593

    Check for debris in the valve body for the listed codes and review the date code on the transmission control module.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • PIP5000BStatus unverified

    P0700 in the ECM with P0797 in the TCM

    2011–2014volt · NHTSA 10113243

    Informs the technician that the Volt may set P0700 in the engine module and P0797 in the transmission module and to use published diagnostics. No repair is stated.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Nissan

  • 2005 · Maxima

    Supported by vehicle data

    A Nissan dealer read P0797 and found a broken ground wire; the jerking returned after the repair.

  • P0777Pressure control solenoid B stuck on

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    GM lists P0777 and P0797 together in the valve body debris bulletin.

  • P0796Pressure control solenoid C not performing as commanded or stuck off

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    GM lists P0796 (pressure control solenoid C stuck off) beside P0797 in the valve body debris bulletin.

  • P0700Transmission module requests the check engine light

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    The Volt bulletin PIP5000B sets P0700 in the engine module with P0797 in the transmission module.

All Transmission codes

P0797 questions

What is the difference between P0796 and P0797?

Both are the same pressure control solenoid C. P0796 means it is not performing or stuck off, and P0797 means it is stuck on.

Sources and review

  1. GM 07-07-30-022: 6T75 binding on 3-4 or 4-3 shift, DTC P0797 (2007-2008) — Gm (filed with NHTSA)
  2. NHTSA complaint ODI 11752765: 2023 Chevrolet Traverse, P0797 and P0700 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
  3. P0797 – Transmission Fluid Pressure Solenoid C Stuck On — TroubleCodes.net
  4. NHTSA complaint ODI 10545604: 2007 GMC Acadia, P0700 P0752 P0797 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
  5. GM PIP4831E: look for debris in the valve body for P0751 P0752 P0756 P0757 P0776 P0777 P0796 P0797 P2714 P2715 (2010-2011) — Gm (filed with NHTSA)
  6. NHTSA complaint ODI 10407184: 2005 Nissan Maxima, P0797 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (consumer complaint)
  7. GM PIP5000B: check engine light with P0700 in the ECM and P0797 in the TCM (2011-2014 Volt) — Gm (filed with NHTSA)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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