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P0748

Pressure Control Solenoid "A" Electrical

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By
KBB Service Advisor
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Reviewed by
Gary Hardesty

What Is the P0748 Code?

Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
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Difficulty of Inspecting
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The P0748 code indicates that there’s an issue with your transmission pressure control solenoid. You can find solenoids all throughout any vehicle with an automatic transmission vehicle, but this specific code shows that your pressure control solenoid in position “A” is having some kind of electrical current issue, where the voltage readings that the solenoid is sending don’t match what the powertrain control module (PCM) is expecting.

More About the P0748 Code

Within an automatic transmission vehicle, you’ll find a variety of solenoids that control hydraulic pressure to handle gear changes more effectively. The pressure control solenoids control fluid pressure to the friction plate clutches or drum bands, which means that an issue with one of these solenoids can cause transmission slipping, which can then lead to issues with the transmission overheating.

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What Are the Symptoms of a P0748 Code?

Symptoms of the P0748 code can vary dramatically; you may only notice that the check engine light has turned on, or you may notice incredibly severe shifting problems. More serious issues may include the engine stalling when idle, harsh shifting or gear slipping, and transmission overheating. Your fuel economy may also be noticeably lower.

What Are Some Causes of a P0748 Code?

There are a very wide variety of causes that might be behind the P0748 code. For some people, it’s an issue with the transmission fluid, whether it’s contaminated, dirty, or just low. It can also be from hydraulic clogs within the passageways. In very rare cases, the transmission control module (TCM) or powertrain control module (PCM) may be at fault. Finally, the issue may just lie with the solenoid itself, which may have simply malfunctioned.

How Serious Is the P0748 Code?

The P0748 code is a code that you should get checked out as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t noticing issues directly with your vehicle’s drivability, it’s common for transmission issues to quickly build upon themselves, eventually leading to issues as severe as a complete internal transmission failure. This, of course, can be extremely expensive to fix, and it’s best to assume that the code is extremely severe. Even if you’re wrong, the only thing that will happen is that you’ll fix an issue within your engine more quickly than you otherwise might have.

How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0748 Code?

The main problem with diagnosing the P0748 code is the variety of issues that may cause it. To identify the issue, you might need to check the transmission fluid level, inspect the wiring and connectors, perform voltage and continuity tests with the solenoid circuit, measure the solenoid’s function, and monitor various scanners while driving. For most DIYers, this is a lot more work than they may have signed up for, which is why it’s common to take the P0748 code to an expert instead.

How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0748 Code?

The P0748 code can also be difficult to inspect, just like it can be difficult to diagnose. Oftentimes, the inspection process requires a variety of extremely specific items that the average hobbyist or DIYer won’t have. This makes the inspection process very difficult. Plus, the transmission in a vehicle is very delicate. That means any issues with inspection could end in accidentally harming the vehicle even further. These are all good reasons to leave the process up to an expert.

Need Additional Help with Your P0748 Code?

If you’re looking for more help with your P0748 code, then you’ll be happy to learn that an expert can absolutely take care of it for you. Many experts are well-trained in helping with various shift solenoid types, so if you’re worried about this code showing up in your vehicle, you can talk to an expert and get help regardless of your vehicle’s make and model.

First, find a repair shop in your area. This is especially important for people who are experiencing driveability concerns; you don’t want to drive any further than you have to, after all, and towing over a long distance can be expensive.

Additionally, it’s very common for this code to be accompanied by other codes. Check out the OBD-II database to learn more about these other codes, including what they mean and how to fix them.

P0748 Q&A

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