P0746 on 2013-2020 Ford Fusion: Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Causes and Fixes

What's Unique About the 2013-2020 Ford Fusion

The 2013-2020 Ford Fusion primarily uses the 6F35 automatic transmission (for non-hybrid models). While P0746 is a generic code, on these specific transmissions, it often points directly to issues within the valve body where the solenoids are housed. Problems can range from simple fluid contamination clogging the solenoid to internal wear and tear requiring replacement of the entire solenoid body assembly. 🎬 See this walkthrough on replacing the valve body and solenoids. Unlike some vehicles where external wiring is a frequent culprit, on the Fusion, the issue is very often internal to the transmission itself, a claim corroborated by numerous owner experiences and repair guides.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Harsh, abrupt, or delayed gear shifts.
• Transmission slipping (engine RPMs rise without an increase in speed).
• Vehicle enters 'limp mode,' getting stuck in a single gear.
🎬 Watch: What it looks like when a Fusion enters limp mode.
• Transmission warning light or Check Engine Light is on.
• Transmission may overheat.
• Increased fuel consumption.

Most Likely Causes

1. Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid 🔴 High Probability Over time, transmission fluid breaks down and can become contaminated with clutch material and metal shavings. This dirty fluid can clog the small passages in the pressure control solenoid, causing it to stick or perform poorly.
   How to confirm: Check the transmission fluid level and condition. The fluid should be bright red and clear, not brown, black, or smell burnt. Note that many modern Fusions do not have a traditional dipstick, so this may need to be checked by a professional by removing a fill plug on the side 🎬 Watch: How to check and fill your Fusion's transmission fluid. of the transmission case.
   Typical fix: Perform a transmission fluid and filter change. Use the correct Motorcraft MERCON LV fluid specified for the 6F35 transmission.
   Est. part cost: $75-$150
2. Failed Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' 🔴 High Probability The solenoid is an electro-mechanical part that can fail electrically (coil burnout) or mechanically (plunger gets stuck) from wear and tear or contamination. Debris in the fluid is a primary cause of the solenoid sticking.
   How to confirm: A professional technician can use a scan tool to command the solenoid on and off while monitoring pressure. They can also test the solenoid's electrical resistance with a multimeter after removing the transmission pan and valve body.
   Typical fix: The pressure control solenoids are typically part of the main control/solenoid body assembly. The entire assembly is usually replaced. This requires removing the transmission pan and valve body.
   Est. part cost: $250-$500
3. Faulty Valve Body 🟡 Medium Probability Besides the solenoid itself, the passages within the valve body can become clogged with debris or warped from heat, preventing proper fluid flow and causing pressure regulation issues.
   How to confirm: This is diagnosed after ruling out the fluid and the solenoid itself. Inspection of the valve body after removal may show scoring, blockages, or stuck valves. In some cases, remanufactured valve bodies are available to address known wear issues.
   Typical fix: The valve body may be cleaned or, more commonly, replaced with a remanufactured or new unit.
   Est. part cost: $400-$800

Rare But Worth Checking

• Wiring Issues: While less common than internal issues on this platform, the wiring harness leading to the transmission or the internal transmission harness could be damaged, causing a loss of signal to the solenoid. A visual inspection and continuity test can confirm this.
• Faulty Transmission Control Module (TCM): In rare cases, the TCM itself can fail and stop sending the correct signal to the solenoid. This is usually the last thing to suspect after all other possibilities have been exhausted.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check and verify the transmission fluid level and condition. If low, top it off. If dark, burnt, or full of debris, a fluid and filter change is the first step.
2. Use a professional OBD-II scanner to check for any other transmission-related codes and to view live data from the TCM, comparing commanded pressure versus actual pressure.
3. Inspect the transmission's external wiring harness and connectors for any visible damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
4. Perform an electrical test on the solenoid. This involves checking its resistance with a multimeter to see if it's within the manufacturer's specified range. An actuation test can also be performed by applying 12V directly to the solenoid to see if it clicks.
5. If the fluid and wiring are good, the next step is to remove the transmission pan to inspect for excessive metal debris, which would indicate a more severe mechanical failure.
6. With the pan removed, a technician can remove the valve body to test or replace the pressure control solenoid/solenoid body.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Transmission Solenoid Body Assembly (OEM #BL3Z-7A100-B (verify by VIN, as multiple revisions exist)) — This assembly contains the pressure control solenoids. Since the solenoids are often the root cause and integrated into the block, replacing the entire assembly is the standard repair for the 6F35 transmission.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft, ATP Automotive, Dorman
  OEM price range: $400-$600
  Aftermarket price range: $250-$450
• Automatic Transmission Fluid (OEM #Motorcraft XT-10-QLVC) — A fluid and filter change is required for any repair involving the removal of the transmission pan or valve body. Using the correct fluid (MERCON LV) is critical for the 6F35 transmission's health.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft (MERCON LV)
  OEM price range: $10-$15 per quart
  Aftermarket price range: $8-$12 per quart
• Transmission Filter Kit (OEM #FT-188 (Motorcraft)) — Should be replaced anytime the transmission pan is removed to ensure the new fluid stays clean.
  Trusted brands: Motorcraft, Wix, Fram
  OEM price range: $30-$50
  Aftermarket price range: $20-$40

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0700 — P0700 is a general Transmission Control System Malfunction code, often triggered alongside more specific transmission codes like P0746 to indicate a fault has been registered by the TCM.
• P0745, P0747, P0748, P0749 — These are all related codes for the Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' circuit, indicating different types of failures (malfunction, stuck on, electrical, intermittent). Seeing them together points strongly to an issue with this specific solenoid or its circuit.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• TSB 16-0111: Addresses harsh transmission engagement after an auto start/stop event on some 2014-2016 Fusions with the 6F35, which could be related to transmission pressure issues.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12 was issued for some 2019-2020 Fusions (and other models) with the 2.0L engine and 6F35 transmission for cracked flexplates. Symptoms include a rattling noise, vibration, or loss of power. While not a direct cause of P0746, a related failure of the transmission fluid pump could lead to pressure problems.
• Some earlier models (2014-2016) with the start/stop feature could exhibit harsh engagement and set a P0C27 code due to air entering an auxiliary pump tube, as noted in TSB 16-0111.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Pressure Control Solenoid (LPC) Resistance — expected: 4.00 - 5.89 Ohms at room temperature (68-86°F / 20-30°C). The resistance changes with temperature.. Failure: A reading outside the specified range for a given temperature indicates a faulty solenoid coil.

Hidden / Shadow Codes Worth Checking

• Solenoid Body Strategy ID: This is not a fault code, but a 13-digit alphanumeric identifier for the specific calibration profile of the solenoid body. The PCM uses this to precisely control the solenoids based on their unique flow characteristics. An incorrect strategy ID programmed into the PCM will cause shift quality issues and can trigger performance codes like P0746. (see via A sticker on the transmission case, a sticker supplied with a new valve body, or by using a Ford-specific scan tool (like FORScan or IDS) to read the currently programmed ID from the PCM.)

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• FORScan / Ford IDS: Clear Transmission Adaptive Tables — This service procedure should be performed after replacing the valve body or transmission. It erases the PCM's learned values for clutch application times, forcing it to relearn with the new components.
• FORScan / Ford IDS: Transmission Characterization Update — This is a mandatory step after installing a new solenoid body. This function allows the technician to input the new 13-digit Solenoid Body Strategy ID from the sticker on the new part into the PCM. The tool then downloads the correct calibration file from Ford's servers.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• G108 / G111 / G112 — These are key engine compartment grounds. G108 is on the left rear of the engine compartment, while G111 and G112 are located on the left front of the engine compartment on the Fusion.. The Transmission Control Module (TCM) and its sensors rely on clean ground connections. A corroded or loose ground at these locations can cause erratic voltage, communication errors, and incorrect solenoid operation, potentially triggering a P0746 code.
• C175T — This is the main transmission electrical connector located on the transmission case.. This connector houses the pins for all the transmission solenoids. Checking for corrosion, moisture, or pushed-out pins at this connector is a critical step before assuming an internal transmission failure.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• YouTube channel 'mazdab3k' (2010 Ford Fusion (Gen 1 6F35, but process is highly relevant to Gen 2)) — Harsh shifting and transmission fault codes.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced the entire valve body with a remanufactured unit., Swapped individual solenoids from the old valve body to the new one.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The ultimate cause was found to be wiring damage in the harness leading to the transmission, which had been chewed by a rat. Repairing the damaged wires resolved all symptoms and codes.

OEM Part Supersession History

• Varies (Original Solenoid Body) → Varies (New Solenoid Body) — Manufacturing updates and revisions to address wear and performance issues.
  Heads up: A new solenoid body is physically compatible but electronically incompatible until its unique Solenoid Body Strategy ID is programmed into the vehicle's PCM/TCM using a capable scan tool. Failure to perform the 'Transmission Characterization Update' will result in poor shift quality.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Other Known Issues on This Vehicle

Issues unrelated to this code that are worth knowing about as an owner of this generation:

• 1.5L EcoBoost Coolant Intrusion 🔴 High — Common in 2014-2019 Fusions with the 1.5L engine. A design flaw in the engine block can cause cracks between cylinders, leading to coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. (Ref: TSB 19-2375, TSB 20-2100, TSB 22-2134. The fix often requires a new engine short block.)
• Shifter Cable Bushing Failure 🟠 Medium — Widespread on 2013-2016 models. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission degrades, which can prevent the vehicle from going into the selected gear or cause it to roll away when in 'Park'. (Ref: Ford Recalls 18S20, 19S16, 22S43.)
• Steering Gear Motor Bolt Corrosion 🔴 High — Affects 2013-2016 models, particularly in regions that use road salt. Bolts securing the power steering motor can corrode and break, causing a sudden loss of power steering assist. (Ref: Ford Recalls 15S14, 19S26.)
• Cracked Flexplate 🟠 Medium — Affects some 2019-2020 models with the 2.0L engine and 6F35 transmission. Can cause a rattling noise, vibration, or loss of power. (Ref: Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12.)

Used vs. New Parts: Buying Guide for This Vehicle

When a used part is the smart pick: For this repair, a used valve body/solenoid assembly is strongly discouraged. However, obtaining good used 'hard parts' like a planetary gear set from a low-mileage donor vehicle at a junkyard can be a cost-effective option if more significant internal damage is found.

Donor-vehicle mileage cap: roughly under 70000 miles for the part to have meaningful remaining life.

What to inspect on the donor part:

• Verify the donor vehicle's mileage if possible.
• Avoid parts from vehicles that show signs of a major collision or flood damage.
• When buying a used transmission for hard parts, inspect the fluid color and smell if possible. Dark, burnt-smelling fluid is a major red flag.

OEM-only on this vehicle (don't cheap out):

• Transmission Fluid (Motorcraft MERCON LV is required). Using a universal or incorrect fluid type can cause shifting problems and damage.
• Solenoid Body Assembly (Motorcraft is highly recommended for fitment and to ensure a valid Strategy ID is provided).

Aftermarket brands forum-validated for this vehicle:

• Remanufactured valve bodies from reputable transmission-specific suppliers like Street Smart Transmission or Cobra Transmission are considered a reliable alternative to new OEM.

Brands owners have reported issues with on this vehicle:

• Unnamed, low-cost solenoid assemblies from online marketplaces. These often fail prematurely or come without a valid, programmable Solenoid Body Strategy ID.

Real Owner Stories

Aggregated from forums and TSBs cited above. Mileages and costs reflect what owners reported in those sources.

Related OBD-II Codes

• P0C27 — Mentioned in TSB 16-0111 for harsh engagement on 2014-2016 models with the start/stop feature, which is caused by an issue with an auxiliary pump that can affect overall transmission pressure.
• P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off. A faulty pressure control solenoid ('A' for P0746) can disrupt the hydraulic pressure needed to operate the TCC, often causing this code to appear as well.
• P0776 — Pressure Control Solenoid 'B' Performance/Stuck Off. If the root cause of P0746 is contaminated or burnt transmission fluid, it is common for other solenoids within the same valve body to become clogged or fail, triggering additional solenoid codes.
• P0700 — Transmission Control System Malfunction. This is a generic code indicating the Transmission Control Module (TCM) has stored a fault. It acts as a general alert and will be present alongside specific codes like P0746.

Frequently Asked Questions