P0868-LINE PRESSURE LOW





For a complete wiring diagram Refer to Section 8W

Theory of Operation


Line pressure is measured by the Line Pressure Sensor (LPS) and regulation is achieved by changing the duty cycle of the Pressure Control Solenoid (PCS) controlled by the Transmission Control System. (5% duty cycle = solenoid off = Max line pressure, 62% duty cycle = solenoid on = Min line pressure). The Transmission Control System calculates the desired line pressure based on inputs from both the engine and transmission.

The Transmission Control System calculates torque input to the transmission and uses it as the primary input to the desired line pressure calculation. This is called Torque Based Line Pressure. In addition, the line pressure is set to a preset level 827 or 931kPa (120 or 135 psi) during shifts and in Park and Neutral to ensure consistent shift quality. The actual line pressure is continuously being compared to the desired (target) line pressure. If the actual line pressure is consistently lower than the target while driving, the line pressure low DTC P0868 will set.



Possible Causes
CHECK FOR RELATED DTCS
LOW FLUID LEVEL
(F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT OPEN
POOR LINE PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTION
(F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT SHORT TO GROUND
(F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT SHORT TO VOLTAGE
(T118) PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT SHORT TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION
LINE PRESSURE SENSOR
CRACKED, PLUGGED, OR MIS-INSTALLED PRIMARY OIL FILTER
LOOSE COOLER RETURN SPIN ON FILTER (IF EQUIPPED)
STUCK OR STICKING MAIN REGULATOR VALVE
POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE


Always perform the 45RFE/545RFE Pre-Diagnostic Troubleshooting Procedure before proceeding. (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE/AUTOMATIC - 45RFE/545RFE - STANDARD PROCEDURE)



Diagnostic Test

1. CHECK FOR RELATED DTCS

With the scan tool, check for other transmission DTCs.

Is the DTC P0932 present also?

Yes


No

2. CHECK IF THE DTC IS CURRENT

With the scan tool, check the STARTS SINCE SET counter for P0868.

NOTE: This counter only applies to the last DTC set.



Is the START SINCE SET COUNTER 2 or less?

Yes


No

3. CHECK THE LINE PRESSURE SENSOR CONNECTION

Ignition on, engine not running.
With the scan tool, monitor the Line Pressure while firmly pushing the Transmission Line Pressure Sensor connector inwards towards the Transmission.

Did the Line Pressure reading on the scan tool CHANGE to about 207 kPa (30 psi) or 0.7 volts when the connector was pushed inward?

Yes (value was higher and changed to 207 kPa (30 psi) or 0.7 volts)


No (value is higher than 207 kPa (30 psi) or 0.7 volts and did not change or the value was already 207 kPa (30 psi) or 0.7 volts and did not change)

4. CHECK THE PCM AND WIRING

Turn the ignition off to the lock position.
Remove the Ignition Switch Feed fuse from the TIPM.

CAUTION: Removal of the Ignition Switch Feed fuse from the TIPM will prevent the vehicle from being started in gear.


WARNING: The Ignition Switch Feed fuse must be removed from the TIPM. Failure to do so can result in personal injury or death.


Install the Transmission Simulator, Miller tool #8333.
With the Transmission Simulator select the "OFF" position on the "Input/Output Speed" switch.
Ignition on, engine not running.
With the scan tool, monitor the Line Pressure during the following steps.
Using the Transmission Simulator, set the rotary knob to each of the 3 line pressure positions.

NOTE: All three scan tool Line Pressure readings should be steady and +/- 14 kPa (2.0 psi) of the reading specified on the Transmission Simulator.



Did the Line Pressure read within +/- 14 kPa (2.0 psi) in all three positions?

Yes


No

5. CHECK THE LINE PRESSURE SENSOR

Turn the ignition off to the lock position.
Disconnect the Transmission Simulator, Miller tool #8333 and reconnect all previously disconnected connectors.
Install the Line Pressure Adaptor, Miller tool #8259, and the Pressure Gauge, Miller tool #C-3293, 0 to 2000 kPa (0 to 300 psi).
Start the engine in park.
Monitor the line pressure readings of both the scan tool and the pressure gauge and compare the two readings.

Is the line pressure gauge reading within 34 kPa (5 psi) of the scan tool reading?

Yes


No

6. CHECK FOR A PLUGGED TRANSMISSION OIL FILTER

Turn the ignition off to the lock position.
Remove and inspect the Transmission Oil Pan for excessive debris per the Service Information.
Remove and inspect the Primary Oil Filter per the Service Information.

NOTE: Make sure the Primary Transmission Oil Filter and/or O-ring is not cracked or split.



Does the Oil Pan contain excessive debris and/or is the Primary Oil Filter cracked or plugged?

Yes


No

7. CHECK THE (F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO VOLTAGE



Disconnect the Transmission Simulator, Miller tool #8333.
Reconnect all previously disconnected connectors except the Line Pressure Sensor harness connector.
Ignition on, engine not running.
Measure the voltage of the (F856) 5-volt Supply circuit in the Line Pressure Sensor harness connector.

Is the voltage above 5.5 volts?

Yes


No

8. CHECK THE (F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT FOR AN OPEN



Turn the ignition off to the lock position.
Disconnect the PCM C1 harness connector and connect Miller tool #8815.

CAUTION: Do not probe the PCM harness connectors. Probing the PCM harness connectors will damage the PCM terminals resulting in poor terminal to pin connection. Install Miller tool #8815 to perform diagnosis.


Measure the resistance of the (F856) 5-volt Supply circuit between the Line Pressure Sensor harness connector and the appropriate terminal of Miller tool #8815.

Is the resistance above 5.0 ohms?

Yes


No

9. CHECK THE (F856) 5-VOLT SUPPLY CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO GROUND



Measure the resistance between ground and the (F856) 5-volt Supply circuit.

Is the resistance below 5.0 ohms?

Yes


No

10. CHECK THE (T118) PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR A SHORT TO ANOTHER CIRCUIT



Turn the ignition off to the lock position.
Disconnect the Transmission Solenoid/TRS Assembly harness connector.
Disconnect all PCM harness connectors.
Measure the resistance between the (T118) Pressure Control Solenoid Control circuit and all other circuits in the Transmission Solenoid/TRS Assembly harness connector.

Is the resistance below 5.0 ohms between the (T118) Pressure Control Solenoid Control circuit and any other circuit(s) in the Transmission Solenoid/TRS Assembly harness connector?

Yes


No

11. INTERMITTENT WIRING AND CONNECTORS

The conditions necessary to set this DTC are not present at this time.
Using the schematics as a guide, inspect the wiring and connectors specific to this circuit.
Wiggle the wires while checking for shorted and open circuits.
With the scan tool, check the DTC EVENT DATA to help identify the conditions in which the DTC was set.

Where there any problems found?

Yes


No