What this code means
P0966 may indicate a low-circuit condition in the ECM/PCM control circuit for the CVT driven pulley pressure control valve.
What the vehicle may do
- The vehicle may show a warning light.
- The CVT may have drivability complaints.
- The vehicle can enter a limited operating strategy depending on how the fault is handled.
Possible fault areas
- A possible wiring or connector issue in the valve circuit.
- A possible short-to-ground condition in the related control wiring.
- A possible issue with the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve circuit.
- PCM software or the PCM itself may be involved after the circuit checks pass.
Diagnostic path
Opening context
On this Honda CR-V, P0966 points to a circuit-low problem for the CVT driven pulley pressure control valve circuit as seen by the ECM/PCM. In plain terms, the module may be seeing the control circuit pulled low when it should not be. The vehicle may have CVT-related drivability complaints, warning lights, or limited operation, but the important point for this code is that the fault path is electrical. The broad areas to keep in mind are the valve circuit, the solenoid wiring and connectors, the solenoid valve itself, and, after the circuit checks pass, the PCM software or PCM. Before going deep, start with the basic system checks and follow a structured diagnostic approach. This code is not diagnosed as a mechanical transmission failure.
Verify the problem first
Start by confirming the fault. Turn the vehicle to the ON mode, clear the DTC with the HDS, then start the engine and wait for at least 1 second. After that, check for Pending or Confirmed DTCs with the HDS. If P0966 comes right back, the failure is duplicated and you move into circuit testing. If P0966 is not indicated, treat it as an intermittent condition. At that point, the system is OK at this time, so check for poor connections or loose terminals between the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve and the PCM. If captured data is available for this code, try to reproduce the same operating conditions instead of guessing.
Check the solenoid circuit from the PCM side
With the code duplicated, turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode. Jump the SCS line with the HDS and wait more than 1 minute. Then disconnect PCM connector C, the 51P connector. Measure resistance between PCM connector C, terminal No. 10, and body ground with the vehicle still in OFF (LOCK) mode and the PCM connector disconnected. You are looking for 5.0－6.3 Ω. If the measurement is in that range, the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve checks OK from this point in the circuit. The next move is to update the PCM if it does not have the latest software, or substitute a known-good PCM, then recheck. If P0966 goes away after the PCM update, troubleshooting is complete. If P0966 goes away with the known-good PCM installed, replace the original PCM. If the resistance is not 5.0－6.3 Ω, keep going with the wiring checks.
Check the DN LS line for a short to ground
Next, isolate the DN LS line. Disconnect solenoid wire harness A, the 8P connector. With the vehicle in OFF (LOCK) mode, the solenoid wire harness A 8P connector disconnected, and PCM connector C disconnected, check for continuity between PCM connector C, terminal No. 10, and body ground. If there is continuity, repair the short to body ground in the DN LS wire between solenoid wire harness A 8P connector and the PCM. If there is no continuity, the short is not on that part of the DN LS line, so continue to the solenoid resistance check.
Check internal resistance at the solenoid valve
Now disconnect the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve 2P connector. Measure resistance between terminal No. 1 and terminal No. 2 at that solenoid valve connector. The vehicle stays in OFF (LOCK) mode, solenoid wire harness A 8P remains disconnected, and the solenoid valve 2P connector is disconnected for this check. The expected resistance is 5.0－6.3 Ω. If it is in range, continue to split the DNC+ line. If it is not in range, the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve is faulty, and the supported repair is to replace the lower valve body.
Split the DNC+ line to locate the short
For the last circuit split, disconnect solenoid wire harness A, the 6P connector. With the vehicle in OFF (LOCK) mode, solenoid wire harness A 8P disconnected, and solenoid wire harness A 6P disconnected, check for continuity between solenoid wire harness A 6P connector terminal No. 2 and body ground. If there is continuity, repair the short to body ground in the DNC+ wire between solenoid wire harness A 6P connector and solenoid wire harness A 8P connector. If there is no continuity, repair the short to body ground in the DNC+ wire between the CVT driven pulley pressure control solenoid valve and solenoid wire harness A 6P connector.
Verification and takeaway
Keep the verification separate from the testing. After the wiring repair, lower valve body replacement, PCM update, or PCM substitution path is completed, recheck the vehicle and confirm P0966 stays gone. The takeaway is simple: for P0966, prove the code first, then separate the PCM-side circuit, the DN LS short check, the solenoid’s internal resistance, and the DNC+ short location without turning it into a mechanical transmission diagnosis. For more diagnostic training, visit stepdiagnostics.com.
Final check
This diagnosis often works best as an electrical circuit isolation path, not as a mechanical transmission diagnosis.
For more guided automotive diagnostics, visit STEP Diagnostics.
