P2820 Pressure control solenoid J performance or stuck off fault in an automatic transmission

P2820 pressure control solenoid J stuck off

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

Toyota links the code to a MIL and owners of Corollas and GM trucks report limp mode or a failed transmission, but we found no source on how long it is safe to drive.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: The transmission slips, shifts harshly or goes into limp mode.

Source: how we rate severity

P2820 in short

P2820 means the transmission computer found pressure control solenoid J stuck off or not performing. Toyota fixed it on some 2014-2017 Corollas and iMs with an engine computer update. Owners of Corollas and GM trucks also report CVT or valve body failure with it. Get it checked soon; we found no drive-safety guidance.

Pressure control solenoids regulate fluid pressure to transmission clutches. P2820 sets when solenoid J does not respond as commanded, described as performance or stuck off.

Toyota says some 2014-2017 Corollas and 2017 iMs set the code because of engine computer logic, and a software update prevents it. Only the summary of that bulletin was read.

Other owners of 2018-2020 Corollas and 2019-2020 GM trucks report P2820 with other solenoid codes, and shops blame a failed CVT or valve body. Those are owner accounts, not bulletins.

Most likely causes

  1. Engine computer logic that needs the Toyota update (2014-2017 Corolla, 2017 iM)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Toyota T-SB-0289-17 says updated computer logic prevents the condition; only the summary was read.
    What would change this
    Rises if the vehicle is a covered Corolla or iM and the software is not current. Falls if updated and the code returns.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  2. Solenoid or valve body failure

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Owners of GM trucks report P2820 with a failed valve body; owner accounts only.
    What would change this
    Rises if solenoid response tests wrong. Falls if the computer update clears it.

  3. Internal CVT failure (Corolla)

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    Two dealers told a 2020 Corolla owner the CVT was faulty; owner account.
    What would change this
    Rises if shudder and slip remain after the update. Falls if the update fixes it.

What to test first

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

  1. Read all codes and note whether P2757, P0777 or P0741 are stored with P2820.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

    • IfP2757 or P0741 is stored too

      It meansMore than one pressure solenoid is complaining; ask a shop to test.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP2820 alone on a covered Toyota

      It meansAsk about the bulletin.

      Go to step 2

  2. Ask a dealer whether a computer update applies to your VIN, and have solenoid J response tested.

    Best left to a shop

    Warning:Valve body and CVT checks need the transmission opened; leave it to a shop.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Slipping or shuddering Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Limp mode Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. Ask the dealer to check your VIN for a bulletin before paying for transmission work.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):Toyota's fix is a computer update, not hardware.

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

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Scion

  • 2016 · iM

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins S-SB-0002-18, S-SB-0002-18_Rev name P2820 on the Scion Im. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • S-SB-0002-18_RevStatus unverified

    TSB: REVISION NOTICE May 11, 2018 Rev1: * The Warranty Information and Parts Information sections have been

    2016im · issued · NHTSA 10141581

    Reprograms the engine computer logic to stop P2820 (pressure control solenoid performance) setting a MIL on the Corolla and iM. 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.

  • S-SB-0002-18Status unverified

    TSB: Some 2016 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a MIL ?ON? condition with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)

    2016im · issued · NHTSA 10129211

    Reprograms the engine computer logic to stop P2820 (pressure control solenoid performance) setting a MIL on the Corolla and iM. 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.

Toyota

  • 2014–2017 · Corolla iM

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletin T-SB-0289-17 names P2820 on the Toyota Corolla Im. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2014–2017 · Corolla

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletin T-SB-0289-17 names P2820 on the Toyota Corolla. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2018–2020 · Corolla

    Possible — needs testing

    Owners of 2018 and 2020 Corollas report P2820 with P2757 and a faulty CVT diagnosis.

  • T-SB-0289-17Status unverified

    TSB: Some 2014 - 2017 model year Corolla and 2017 model year iM vehicles may exhibit a MIL "ON" condition

    2014–2017corolla, corolla-im · issued · NHTSA 10132666

    Reprograms the engine computer logic to stop P2820 (pressure control solenoid performance) setting a MIL on the Corolla and iM. 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.

Chevrolet

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

  1. Toyota T-SB-0289-17: P2820 pressure control solenoid (2014-2017 Corolla, 2017 iM) — Toyota ,
  2. NHTSA complaint 2079594: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, P2820 and P0777 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  3. NHTSA complaint 1823290: 2020 Toyota Corolla, P2757 and P2820 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  4. NHTSA complaint 2135386: 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, P0700 and P2820 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  5. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
Last reviewed
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

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