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Definition of Fault Code P0930

A fault code P0930 is related to a vehicle’s automatic transmission and its shift lock solenoid, which prevents the gear lever from being moved out of park without the brake pedal being pressed.

What Does Code P0930 Mean?

P0930 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code for a low voltage issue with the shift lock solenoid, indicating that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) does not believe the brake pedal is pressed. The shift lock solenoid works in conjunction with the brake light switch.

What Causes Code P0930?

A P0930 rarely has more than one cause, but others include:

• Faulty shift lock solenoid
• Faulty brake light switch
• Low battery voltage

What Are the Symptoms of Code P0930?

Simply put, your gear lever will not be able to shift out of park. Most modern automatic transmissions have a built-in override that is accessible via a screwdriver.
How Does a Mechanic Diagnose Code P0930?

First, your mechanic will bypass the shift solenoid through an access panel usually located near the gear lever itself. If this works, the solenoid will be tested for continuity and then replaced.

Common Mistakes When Diagnosing Code P0930

Although rare, low battery voltage can cause a shift solenoid to fail.

How Severe Is Code P0930?

Not being able to shift out of park essentially immobilizes a vehicle, so you can consider a P0930 as serious. However, it does not cause severe damage to a vehicle.

What Repairs Can Fix Code P0930?

• The most common repairs for a P0930 are as follows:
• Replacement of the shift lock solenoid
• Replacement of the brake pedal switch

Definition of Code P0931

Fault code P0931 detects a problem with the shift lock solenoid circuit.

What does code P0931 mean?

Code P0931 is a generic OBD-II fault code that indicates a voltage reading issue with the shift lock solenoid circuit. The shift lock solenoid is responsible for ensuring that the automatic transmission cannot shift out of the Park position unless the brake pedal is applied. When the system detects that the brake pedal has been pressed, the shift lock solenoid allows the gear lever to move from Park to Drive or Reverse. If the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects that the voltage reading from the shift lock solenoid circuit is abnormally high, code P0931 will be stored.

What causes code P0931?

Several different things can trigger fault code P0931:

    Faulty shift lock solenoid
    Faulty brake light switch
    Low battery voltage
    In rare cases, a faulty PCM
    Damaged electrical components in the circuit, such as wires and connectors

What are the symptoms of code P0931?

Fault code P0931 will usually be accompanied by the Check Engine light illuminated on the vehicle’s dashboard. The gear lever will almost always be stuck in Park, so the car cannot be driven.

How does a mechanic diagnose code P0931?

Code P0931 will be diagnosed using a standard OBD-II fault code scanner. A qualified technician will observe the scanner’s freeze frame data to gather information about the code and see if other fault codes are present. If multiple different codes are detected, they must be addressed in the order they appear. The mechanic will then need to clear the fault codes and restart the vehicle to see if code P0931 is still detected. If not, it was triggered in error or represents an intermittent issue.

If the code persists after resetting, the mechanic will begin with a visual inspection of the electrical components in the system. Any loose or corroded connectors, or open or shorted wires will need to be replaced. The battery should then be checked to ensure it is properly charged.

Next, the shift lock solenoid must be inspected and tested for continuity. It is the most likely culprit for code P0931, but if the solenoid appears to be functioning, then the brake light switch will need to be checked.

After any replacement, the mechanic should pause the inspection, reset the fault codes, and restart the vehicle to see if the code returns. By doing this, the technician will know as soon as code P0931 has been resolved.

Common mistakes when diagnosing code P0931

The most frequent mistake made when diagnosing code P0931 is failing to properly follow the OBD-II fault code diagnostic protocol. It is very important to follow the protocol, as it helps mechanics avoid incorrect repairs. For example, it is common to assume the solenoid is faulty, which risks overlooking damaged electrical components and replacing a functional part.

How severe is code P0931?

A car with fault code P0931 will likely not be drivable, as in most cases, the vehicle will not be able to shift out of Park. The vehicle will probably need to be inspected and repaired before it can be driven.

What repairs can fix code P0931?

Common fixes for fault code P0931 are:

•     Replacing the shift lock solenoid
•     Replacing wires and connectors
•     Replacing the brake light switch
•     Recharging or replacing the battery

Definition of Code P0932

The fault code P0932 detects a malfunction in the circuit of the hydraulic pressure sensor.

What does code P0932 mean?

Code P0932 is a standard OBD-II trouble code that indicates an electrical issue with the hydraulic pressure sensor. The hydraulic pressure system is used to facilitate gear shifts in the automatic transmission. When the vehicle needs to downshift or upshift, different hydraulic circuits associated with different gear ratios engage or disengage to enable the shift. Hydraulic pressure is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM), which rely on various engine factors to determine the shift strategy. The pressure is then regulated by the PCM through the hydraulic pressure sensors. When the PCM detects an error with the hydraulic pressure sensor signal, the fault code P0932 will be triggered.

What causes code P0932?

Fault code P0932 is typically caused by faulty electrical components, such as shorted wires, open or corroded cables, blown fuses, or even a loss of ground. It is also possible for the code to be triggered by a defective hydraulic pressure sensor or a faulty PCM or TCM.

What are the symptoms of code P0932?

Fault code P0932 will usually be accompanied by the check engine light illuminating on the vehicle’s dashboard. There will likely also be transmission issues, such as harsh shifting or an inability to access certain gears (this can result in higher than usual engine RPM or hesitant acceleration). It is common for the vehicle to experience reduced fuel efficiency as well.

How does a mechanic diagnose code P0932?

Code P0932 will be diagnosed using a standard OBD-II trouble code scanner. A trusted mechanic will use the scanner to view the freeze frame data of the code and check for the presence of any additional trouble codes. If multiple trouble codes are found, they must be addressed in the order they appear on the scanner. The codes will then need to be reset and the vehicle restarted so the mechanic can see if code P0932 remains detected. If the code does not return, an intermittent error or false trigger should be suspected.

If code P0932 remains detected after resetting, the technician will visually inspect the electrical components of the system. Any damaged wires, connectors, or fuses will need to be replaced. The ground voltage should also be inspected. If no issues are found, the hydraulic pressure sensor must be inspected.

After replacing a component, the mechanic will need to reset the trouble codes again, restart the vehicle, and check for the code. This will help the mechanic know as soon as the issue is resolved.

Common mistakes when diagnosing code P0932

The most frequent mistake made when diagnosing fault code P0932 stems from a failure to properly follow the OBD-II diagnostic protocol. It is important for mechanics to adhere to the protocol step by step at all times, as this ensures an effective repair and avoids incorrect part replacements. Not following the protocol often leads to replacing a fully functional hydraulic pressure sensor when faulty wiring was the only issue.

How severe is code P0932?

A vehicle with a detected fault code P0932 should still be drivable, although it may experience transmission problems that can impact driving. Continuing to drive a vehicle with this code can cause further damage to the transmission, so it is important to have the vehicle inspected as soon as possible.

What repairs can fix code P0932?

Repairs for fault code P0932 include:

• Replacing wires, connectors, and fuses
• Replacing the hydraulic pressure sensor
• In rare cases, replacing the PCM or TCM

To change gears according to driving conditions, the ECU must be able to modulate the hydraulic pressure within the transmission. It does this with the pressure control solenoid(s), but the decision is made using data from the hydraulic pressure sensor. If this transmission sensor is not operating within its expected range, a DTC P0933 will be triggered.

How severe is the code?

If the ECU cannot determine what the current hydraulic pressure is inside the transmission, both the transmission and vehicle performance will suffer. So yes, a P0933 diagnostic code is very serious.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0933 include:

• Unusually firm shifts when RPM is low
• Unusually soft shifts under load as RPM increases
• Weaker acceleration power than usual (because the transmission had to start in 2nd instead of 1st)
• The engine does not upshift (because the ECU has locked out higher gears)

Causes

• Damage or corrosion to wiring or connectors
• Faulty fuses
• Non-functional transmission pressure sensor
• ECU / TCM issues

How to diagnose the code?

To diagnose an OBDII P0933 fault code, all wires or connectors along this circuit will need to be inspected for signs of broken wires/damaged ground wires and broken or corroded connectors. The transmission pressure sensor itself will also need to be considered, along with the ECU programming and possibly the TCM.

What repairs will fix P0933?

• Replace or repair damaged wiring or connectors
• Replace blown fuses
• Replace the transmission pressure sensor
• Replace or reprogram the ECU or TCM

Related Codes

P0932 – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Circuit
P0934 – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Circuit Low
P0935 – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Circuit High
P0936 – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Circuit Intermittent

The hydraulic pressure sensor circuit relays information about the available hydraulic pressure inside the transmission to the ECU. This allows the vehicle’s computer to adjust the transmission according to the engine’s current load and driving conditions. If the ECU detects a low voltage signal from the pressure sensor circuit of this transmission line, a DTC P0934 will be set.

How severe is the code?

Diagnostic code P0934 is very serious, as it means the ECU does not know how much hydraulic pressure is built up inside the transmission. This can lead to a number of driving issues, including unusual shifting and locking in higher gears.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0934 include:

• Harsh shifting at low RPM
• Slow shifting as RPM increases
• Weaker acceleration power than usual (because the ECU tells the transmission to start in a higher gear)
• Engine runs at higher RPM at speed (if the ECU has told the transmission not to shift to higher gears)

Causes

• Damage to wiring or connectors
• Faulty fuses
• Defective transmission pressure sensor
• ECU/TCM issues

How to diagnose the code?

The first step in diagnosing an OBDII P0934 fault code is to check all cables, grounds, and connectors along the transmission pressure sensor circuit. All associated fuses or relays should also be tested. If no issues are detected, the hydraulic pressure sensor itself will need to be tested. In rare cases, the ECU/TCM may actually be to blame.

The hydraulic pressure sensor is a vital transmission component that helps the computer decide how to shift gears. If an abnormally high voltage signal is detected along the hydraulic pressure sensor/line pressure sensor circuit, a DTC P0935 will be set.

How severe is the code?

If the vehicle’s computer cannot determine the hydraulic pressure output by the transmission pump, the transmission and, ultimately, the vehicle itself will not be able to operate properly. Ignoring a diagnostic code P0935 for too long can also lead to serious internal damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0935 include:

• Unusually harsh shifts at lower RPM
• Unusually soft shifts at higher RPM
• Reduced acceleration (if the transmission starts in 1st instead of 2nd)
• Unusually high RPM at speed (because the ECU told the transmission not to upshift)

Causes

• Damaged wiring and/or connectors
• Faulty fuses
• Faulty transmission pressure sensor
• ECU/TCM issues

How to diagnose the code?

To properly diagnose an OBDII fault code P0935, your mechanic must first inspect the condition of the wiring and connectors (including ground wires/contacts) along the transmission pressure sensor circuit. They should also check the associated fuses and relays. If nothing is found, the hydraulic pressure sensor/line pressure sensor itself must be tested, along with possibly the ECU and TCM.

What repairs will fix P0935?

• Replace or repair damaged wiring or connectors
• Replace blown fuses
• Replace the transmission pressure sensor
• Replace or reprogram the ECU or TCM

Related codes

P0932 – Hydraulic pressure sensor circuit
P0933 – Hydraulic pressure sensor range/performance
P0934 – Hydraulic pressure sensor circuit low
P0936 – Hydraulic pressure sensor circuit intermittent

Definition of Code P0936

The diagnostic code P0936 indicates an intermittent circuit error in the hydraulic pressure sensor.

What does code P0936 mean?

Code P0936 is a generic OBD-II trouble code that detects an issue with the hydraulic pressure sensor circuit. The purpose of the hydraulic pressure system is to provide energy to assist automatic transmission shift speeds. Each gear is associated with a hydraulic circuit, and when the vehicle requests an upshift or downshift, the different hydraulic circuits engage or disengage to make the shift happen. All of this is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM), which calculate the correct shift strategy by considering various engine factors and conditions. The PCM then monitors the hydraulic pressure by receiving data from the hydraulic pressure sensors. If the PCM receives an abnormal signal, or no signal at all from the hydraulic pressure sensors, the P0936 trouble code may be stored.

What causes code P0936?

The P0936 trouble code is almost always the result of damaged electrical components. This can include blown fuses, corroded cables, shorted or open wires, or a loss of ground. Other potential causes of the code are a faulty hydraulic pressure sensor and a defective PCM or TCM.

What are the symptoms of code P0936?

When the P0936 trouble code is detected, the check engine warning light will likely illuminate on the vehicle’s dashboard. Transmission problems are usually evident, such as failure to shift into certain gears (which can result in slow acceleration or excessive engine RPM) and harsh shifting. Most vehicles will also experience reduced fuel economy.

How does a mechanic diagnose code P0936?

Code P0936 will be diagnosed with a standard OBD-II fault code scanner. A qualified technician will use the scanner to view freeze frame data and assess the P0936 code. The scanner will also be used to check for any other trouble codes, as codes should always be addressed in the order they appear. The codes will then need to be reset and the vehicle restarted, so the mechanic can see if the P0936 code returns. If it does not, a false trigger or intermittent error is likely to blame.

If the code returns, the mechanic will begin by visually inspecting the electrical components of the hydraulic pressure sensor system and replacing any that are damaged. Next, the ground voltage should be checked, and then the mechanic can perform an inspection on the hydraulic pressure sensor. If no issues are found, a thorough inspection of the PCM and TCM will be necessary.

When a component is repaired or replaced, the mechanic will need to reset the codes, restart the vehicle, and check again to see if the P0936 code is still detected. By doing this, the technician will know when the issue has been resolved.

Common mistakes when diagnosing code P0936?

The most frequent mistake made when diagnosing this code is failing to properly follow the OBD-II diagnostic protocol. The protocol must always be followed exactly to ensure that diagnostics and repairs are thorough and effective.

It is quite common for hydraulic pressure sensors to be mistakenly replaced when an electrical component was the only issue in the system.

How severe is code P0936?

In most cases, a vehicle with a P0936 code can still be driven, although there may be driving issues. If the code is not addressed, severe damage can be caused to the transmission, so an inspection should be scheduled as soon as the code is detected.

What repairs can fix code P0936?

Repairs for the P0936 trouble code are:

• Replacement of the system’s electrical components
• Replacement of the hydraulic pressure sensor
• In rare cases, replacement of the PCM or TCM

The hydraulic oil temperature sensor transmission is responsible for indicating the current ATF temperature to the ECU. If there is an issue with the information from the sensor circuit, a DTC P0937 will be recorded.

How severe is the code?

The diagnostic code P0937 is obviously quite serious, as the ECU needs to know the current operating temperature of the transmission oil to prevent overheating and serious internal damage.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0937 include

• Check engine light
• Overheating
• Irregular vehicle behavior
• Limp mode

Causes

• Damaged wiring or connectors
• Failure of the hydraulic oil temperature sensor
• Low or dirty fluid

How to diagnose the code?

Since the OBDII fault code P0937 is primarily an electrical fault, the diagnostic procedure should start by examining the wiring and connectors along the hydraulic oil temperature sensor circuit. It may also be necessary to check the sensor itself, as well as the condition of the fluid/oil.

What repairs will fix P0937?

• Repair damaged wiring and/or connectors
• Replace the hydraulic oil temperature sensor
• Change the fluid
• Reprogram or replace the ECU

The presence of a DTC P0938 means that the ECU believes the hydraulic oil temperature sensor is not operating within its preprogrammed range. This could naturally lead to overheating and serious internal damage.

How severe is the code?

The hydraulic oil temperature sensor monitors the heat of the hydraulic oil and constantly transmits this information to the ECU. Diagnostic code P0939 means this is not happening as it should, so overheating and other serious damage can occur.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a P0938 include:

• Check engine light
• Overheating
• Irregular vehicle behavior
• Limp mode

Causes

• Damaged/frayed wiring
• Connectors are corroded or broken
• Hydraulic oil temperature sensor has failed
• Low hydraulic fluid level
• Dirty hydraulic fluid and filter

How to diagnose the code?

To understand what is causing a P0938 OBDII fault code, a technician must check the condition of the hydraulic oil to see if it is dirty, low, burnt, or contains metal shavings. If any of these conditions apply, the fluid must be changed immediately. The wiring and connectors along the hydraulic oil temperature circuit should also be checked for signs of damage and corrosion. If no issues were detected, the hydraulic oil temperature sensor and possibly the ECU will need to be tested.

What repairs will fix P0938?

• Repair damaged wiring and/or connectors
• Replace the hydraulic oil temperature sensor
• Change the hydraulic fluid
• Reprogram or replace the ECU