GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0979: 4-5 Shift Solenoid (SS) Control Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0980: 4-5 Shift Solenoid (SS) Control Circuit High Voltage

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Shift Solenoid (SS) C Control

P0979

P0979

P0980

Circuit/System Description

The 4-5 shift solenoid valve is located in the control valve body of the transmission. The transmission control module (TCM) selects the required gear by turning the appropriate solenoid ON or OFF, enabling the transmission to shift. The TCM provides voltage to the solenoid through high side driver 2 (HSD2). The TCM uses a second driver to control the solenoid ground circuit. The controlled ground driver reports feedback voltage to the TCM. When the TCM commands the 4-5 shift solenoid valve ON, the voltage of the control circuit should be approximately 0 volts. When the TCM commands the 4-5 shift solenoid valve OFF, the voltage of the control circuit should be approximately system voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The engine run time is greater than 5 seconds.
    • HSD2 is commanded ON.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0979

The following conditions occur for 4.3 seconds:

    • The TCM detects an open in the 4-5 shift solenoid valve circuit when HSD2 is commanded ON.
    • The TCM detects a short to ground in the 4-5 shift solenoid valve circuit when HSD2 is commanded OFF.

P0980

The TCM detects a short to voltage in the 4-5 shift solenoid valve circuit for 4.3 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

P0979

    • DTC P0979 is a Type B DTC.
    • Powertrain braking is disabled at the time that the TCM first detects the failure, before the DTC sets.
    • The TCM turns off power to all solenoids.
    • The transmission will operate in fifth gear if the vehicle has successfully completed a 1-2 upshift in the current ignition cycle. If the vehicle has not completed a 1-2 upshift in the current ignition cycle, the transmission will operate in fourth gear.
    • The TCM commands maximum line pressure.
    • The TCM freezes transmission adaptive functions.
    • The TCM inhibits TAP shift.

P0980

    • DTC P0980 is a Type B DTC.
    • Powertrain braking is disabled at the time that the TCM first detects the failure, before the DTC sets.
    • The TCM turns off power to all solenoids.
    • The transmission will operate in fifth gear if the vehicle has successfully completed a 1-2 upshift in the current ignition cycle. If the vehicle has not completed a 1-2 upshift in the current ignition cycle, the transmission will operate in fourth gear.
    • The TCM commands maximum line pressure.
    • The TCM freezes transmission adaptive functions.
    • The TCM inhibits TAP shift.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0979 and P0980 are Type B DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Transmission General Description

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Transmission Control Module Scan Tool Information

Special Tools

J 45681 Jumper Harness

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Ignition ON, engine OFF, observe the 4-5 Sol. CKT Status parameter while commanding the 4-5 SS ON and OFF with a scan tool. The reading should display OK or Indeterminate.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: Additional DTCs may set when disconnecting the automatic transmission inline 20-way connector.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the automatic transmission (AT) inline 20-way connector at the transmission.
  2. Install the J 45681 on the engine side of the AT inline 20-way connector.
  3. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 17 and ground.
  4. If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal and the ignition circuit fuse is open, test all components connected to the ignition circuit and replace as necessary.
  5. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 5 and the ignition circuit terminal 17.
  6. Command the 4-5 SS ON and OFF with a scan tool. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
  7. If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the TCM.
    If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the TCM.
  8. If all circuits test normal, test the automatic transmission internal wiring harness and the 4-5 shift solenoid.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the AT inline 20-way connector at the transmission.
  2. Install the J 45681 on the transmission side of the AT inline 20-way connector.
  3. Test for 19-31 ohms of resistance between the control terminal 5 and the ignition terminal 17 of the transmission.
  4. If not within the specified range, test the circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If a circuit is shorted or open replace the internal transmission harness, if the circuits test normal, replace the 4-5 shift solenoid.
  5. Test for infinite resistance between each terminal and the transmission housing/case.
  6. If not the specified value, test the circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If a circuit is shorted replace the internal transmission harness, if the circuits test normal, replace the 4-5 shift solenoid.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

    •  4-5 Shift Solenoid Valve Replacement
    •  Transmission Internal Electrical Harness Replacement
    •  Control Module References for TCM replacement, setup and reprogramming