What this code means
P0980 may mean the PCM is detecting an open-type electrical problem in the shift solenoid valve C circuit.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may set a warning light.
- The transmission may have shift concerns.
- The concern may be intermittent if the circuit fault is not present during testing.
Possible fault areas
- Possible electrical fault areas can include the solenoid circuit, connectors, shift solenoid wire harness, solenoid valve C, PCM software, or PCM control.
Diagnostic path
Opening context
On this Civic, P0980 points to an open electrical condition in the shift solenoid valve C circuit. In plain terms, the PCM may not be seeing the solenoid circuit the way it expects to. The driver may notice shift concerns, or the vehicle may simply set the warning light. The likely fault areas are electrical: the solenoid circuit, connectors, the shift solenoid wire harness, the solenoid itself, or possibly PCM software or PCM control. This code is not chased as a mechanical transmission problem. Before testing, save the captured operating data and any on-board snapshot with the HDS, then use that information to help reproduce the concern.
Verify whether the fault is present
Start by checking whether P0980 is present right now. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), clear the code with the HDS, then start the engine with the shift lever in P and wait for at least 1 second. After that, check Pending or Confirmed codes with the HDS. If P0980 comes right back, the failure is duplicated and you move straight into circuit testing at the solenoid C resistance check. If it does not come back, continue with the commanded solenoid operation check.
Command the solenoid and look for operation
Next, use the HDS Miscellaneous Test Menu and command Shift Solenoid Valve C. You are listening for a click. If the click is heard, the solenoid is operating during that command, so keep going and try to duplicate the fault under the driving condition. If there is no click, do not guess at the part yet. Go to the electrical resistance check next.
Try to duplicate the monitor failure
Now reproduce the operating condition for this code. Test-drive the vehicle in 3rd gear with the shift lever in D, for at least 1 second, and watch the OBD STATUS for P0980 in the HDS code menu. If the HDS shows FAILED, the fault has been duplicated, and the next move is the solenoid C resistance check. If it shows PASSED, treat it as an intermittent condition for now. Check for poor connections or loose terminals between shift solenoid valve C and the PCM. If the status is NOT COMPLETED, repeat the drive condition instead of moving ahead on an incomplete monitor.
Check solenoid C circuit resistance from the PCM side
For the resistance check, turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0), jump the SCS line with the HDS, and disconnect PCM connector C (49P). Measure resistance on the SH_C circuit between PCM connector C (49P) No. 21, the green wire, and body ground. The expected reading is 13.8－17.1 Ω. If the reading is in that range, shift solenoid valve C checks OK on this test. At that point, update the PCM if it does not have the latest software, or substitute a known-good PCM, then verify the repair. If the resistance is not 13.8－17.1 Ω, continue to the open-wire check on the SH_C line.
Check the SH_C wire between the harness and PCM
With the ignition still at LOCK (0), disconnect the shift solenoid wire harness 8P connector, while PCM connector C (49P) remains disconnected. Check continuity on the SH_C circuit between shift solenoid wire harness 8P connector No. 4, the green wire, and PCM connector C (49P) No. 21, the green wire. If there is continuity, the SH_C wire between those points is OK, so move deeper into the shift solenoid wire harness check. If there is no continuity, repair the open in the SH_C wire between the shift solenoid wire harness and the PCM, then verify the repair.
Check the shift solenoid wire harness
Next, remove the shift solenoid wire harness and check continuity through the harness itself. The test is between shift solenoid wire harness 7P connector No. 3, the green wire, and shift solenoid valve C 1P connector No. 1, the green wire, with the 7P connector, the solenoid C 1P connector, and PCM connector C (49P) disconnected. If there is continuity, the shift solenoid wire harness checks OK, and the next directed repair is to replace shift solenoid valve C, then verify the repair. If there is no continuity, replace the shift solenoid wire harness, then verify the repair.
Verify the repair
Keep verification separate from the testing path. Reconnect all connectors, turn the ignition switch to ON (II), clear the code with the HDS, then start the engine with the shift lever in P and wait for at least 1 second. After that, test-drive the vehicle in 3rd gear for at least 1 second and monitor the OBD STATUS for P0980 with the HDS. If it shows PASSED, troubleshooting is complete. If a PCM was substituted, replace the original PCM. Also check for other codes after the repair, and if other Pending or Confirmed codes are present, check what they mean next. If the status shows FAILED, go back to the beginning and recheck the path. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM and check the OBD STATUS again. If the status is NOT COMPLETED, meet the test condition and check the OBD STATUS again.
Closing takeaway
The key on P0980 is to prove the electrical path before condemning anything: duplicate the fault if possible, command the solenoid, measure the circuit, check continuity through the vehicle wiring and the solenoid harness, then run the verification monitor cleanly. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
This diagnosis is mainly about proving the electrical circuit path and then confirming the monitor passes after the repair.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
