Allison 1000 & 2000 Gen 5 Fault Code:P0964 Pressure Control Solenoid 2 (PCS2) Control Circuit – Open

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION:
PCS2 is a Pressure Proportional to Current (PPC) solenoid used to control oncoming and off-going and holding pressure to any one of five clutches.

The TCM sends control current to PCS2 from High Side Driver 2 (HSD2) via wire 171. HSD2 is continuously on unless the TCM detects a fault condition. The TCM regulates the amount of current to PCS2 by switching the low side driver ON and OFF. Wire 136 completes the circuit between PCS2 and its low side driver. DTC P0964 indicates that the TCM processor has detected an open condition in the electrical circuit. The open condition may exist in the high side (wire 171) or low side (wire 136).

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS:
When DTC P0964 is active, the following conditions occur:
1. If the failure occurs while in a forward range a shift to 1st, 3rd, or 5th range is made.
2. While diagnostic response is active, if shift selector is moved to N (Neutral), transmission shifts to neutral; if the shift selector is moved to R (Reverse), transmission shifts to reverse. If the shift selector is moved to D (Drive) range or R (Reverse) and transmission is compromised by overspeeding or direction change, transmission shifts to neutral.
3. The TCM forces Variable Modulated Main off.
4. The CHECK TRANS light illuminates (non-OBD II strategy).
5. The DTC is stored in the TCM history.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE DTC:
Use the diagnostic tool to clear the DTC from the TCM history. The TCM automatically clears the DTC from the TCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without the DTC recurring.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS:
The following procedures are not documented in any OEM procedures or in any OEM Troubleshooting or Service information and should not be used as a method to diagnose any transmission DTCs, function, or shift quality concern:

1. Back-probing any connections used for transmission features or functions may damage and/or unlock terminals from the back-probed connector creating permanent or intermittent shorts and/or open circuits. If possible, use the J-39700 Breakout Box, the appropriate harness adapters, and appropriate magnetic overlays to troubleshoot the vehicle.

2. Load-testing any transmission-related circuits with any other electrical devices such as vehicle lamps or relays, especially with the TCM connected to the harness. Use J-39700 Breakout Box and appropriate harnesses with the diagnostic tool to monitor the circuit performance in question unless otherwise specified in the various Troubleshooting information.

3. Piercing a wire to check for voltages, shorts-to-grounds or other wires anywhere in the circuit but especially at the TCM. This creates a leak path for moisture and damages the wire and insulation.

An intermittent circuit condition can allow this DTC to set. Make sure you check for the following conditions at the OEM harness first, then at the transmission internal harness:

DTC P0964 indicates an open in the electrical circuit for PCS2. In addition to PCS2, HSD2 also supplies power to SS1, SS2, and SS3. If DTC P0964 is accompanied by an open circuit DTC P097A for SS1 and/or open circuit DTC P097B for SS2 and/or DTC P097C for SS3 the open is most likely in the high side of the circuit.

Inspect the wiring for poor electrical connections at the TCM and the transmission main connector. Look for the following conditions:
1. A bent terminal.
2. A backed-out terminal.
3. A damaged terminal.
4. Poor terminal tension
5. A chafed wire.
6. A broken wire inside the insulation.

Inspect OEM wiring harness routing. Look for possible contact points where chafing could occur leading to an open circuit condition. Moving parts on the vehicle could be contacting the harness; this includes parking brake drum, suspension components, transmission shift linkage, etc.

When diagnosing for an intermittent short or open, massage the wiring harness while watching the test equipment for a change. It may be necessary to check continuity at individual wires within a harness to isolate an intermittent open condition.

You may have to drive the vehicle in order to experience a fault. Use the data obtained from failure records to determine transmission range and/or certain vehicle operating variables such as temperature, run time, etc. This data can be useful in reproducing the failure mode when the DTC was set.