Code P0902, possible transmission issues?

2015 FORD FIESTA
80,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ETERNALARIANNE
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My friend has this car and about 2 weeks ago the check engine light came on and she said the car "didn't want to go". I plugged in a code scanner and got P0902. I cleared the error, and she says it's been fine since.

Today she says when she cranked it up, the traction control light was on, but it went off after driving a few minutes. No check engine light this time.

Could this be a sign of imminent transmission failure, or could it be easily fixed? I'm not too familiar with Ford myself.
Sep 5, 2024 at 5:49 AM
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STRAILER
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The P0902 code refers to a "Clutch Actuator Circuit Low" which is a common problem because the clutch actuators can go out and cause this issue. I would replace both clutch actuators, they even sell them as a kit which is helpful. Clear the codes once the job is completed. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sep 5, 2024 at 10:02 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Thanks for the reply. Would this cause the traction control light to come on then go off?
Sep 5, 2024 at 10:07 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, it could, if not then the traction control problem is not related, but one thing at a time.
Sep 5, 2024 at 10:21 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Okay, I'll let her know the price of the actuators, might be a bit for her due to cost.
Sep 5, 2024 at 10:41 AM
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STRAILER
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no worries, have a good weekend.
Sep 6, 2024 at 11:05 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Sorry to resurrect this old question, but she never replaced the actuators since it has ran fine since then. Until today it popped the code again. Both times it has been extremely hot outside and she has driven for about an hour. Could heat cause this issue?
Jul 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
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STRAILER
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Yes, if parts or going to fail, it will be in the heat. I would do the actuators.
Jul 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok thanks. I'll see if I can convince her to do it, lol.
Jul 8, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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STRAILER
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Sounds good, nice to hear from you again :)
Jul 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I'm back again she is finally going to get them replaced soon. I know you sent me the diagrams but how difficult is this job actually? Can I get to it from underneath the car, or do I have to drop the transmission? I've seen online the dealer charges $2600 to fix it.
Apr 22, 2026 at 11:30 AM
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STRAILER
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That seems steep to me, you don't need to remove the transmission. You can get to the actuators one from up top and the other from below. I believe they may make a kit that does this. Please check rockauto.com
Apr 23, 2026 at 7:44 AM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Ok thanks. I see on rock auto it's called "shift interlock solenoid" but the part looks the same.

One last thing, I was reading about a relearn process after replacing these? Something about it might jerky for a bit until it learns the new solenoids? Is that correct?
Apr 24, 2026 at 5:51 AM
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STRAILER
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Yes, the computer will need to relearn the adaptation which will happen after driving the car for a while, let me know what happens.
Apr 24, 2026 at 7:59 AM
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Ok got the new ones installed. Had to search around for the nickel anti-seize stuff only one local store had it. She hasn't driven it yet but I let her know about the relearn and it might be a little jerky when shifting until it smooths out.
May 2, 2026 at 7:47 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, I agree, let me know how it goes.
May 3, 2026 at 9:33 PM
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Whelp, she drove around 200 miles with no issues, but the weather wasn't that bad. Now that it's near 100F outside she drove around 700 miles and around the 500 mile mark it threw the CEL again and it's back in limp mode. Could the extreme heat just be killing these shift solenoids? It drive fine in short distances and milder weather...
Jul 5, 2026 at 2:11 PM
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Not really, lets run the cods again, t could be something different. Also, it might be the clutch itself has come apart.
Jul 5, 2026 at 2:41 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Yeah I'm waiting on her to get to auto zone to have them check the codes again. She managed to make it to her destination but had to stop multiple times to let it "cool off" for a while before driving some more. If by chance it is the shift solenoids again, what could cause it to fail just after replacing? The ones we put in were supposed to be "better spec" than the OEM ones, for what it's worth...
Jul 5, 2026 at 2:47 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, it could be bad replacement solenoids, it is tough to trust some aftermarket parts, they say what ever they can to get you to buy them. I would try OEM units.
Jul 5, 2026 at 7:57 PM
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Ok she went to AutoZone and let them hookup the code scanner. She got the P0902 again, but also ABS codes U3003-16 (battery voltage below threshold) and C006B-00 (
Jul 15, 2026 at 5:56 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Sorry I didn't hit the button to reply I wasn't done typing lol.

C006B-00 (stability system active too long). The battery is 5 years old and shows 13.69V would it cause all of these issues?
Jul 15, 2026 at 5:57 PM
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STRAILER
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So, to confirm the actuators got replaced correct?
Jul 15, 2026 at 6:44 PM
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Yes both of them were replaced and it was good for a while until going on a long trip
Jul 15, 2026 at 6:46 PM
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STRAILER
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Can I ask what brand the replacement actuators are?
Jul 15, 2026 at 11:02 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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I'm not sure the boxes are long gone. She might have the receipt somewhere once she gets back from her trip (hopefully she can make it back lol)
Jul 15, 2026 at 11:05 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, these are delicate parts and I would make sure they are OEM parts.
Jul 15, 2026 at 11:18 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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One of my neighbors had this issue on his Ford fusion and it turned out the traction control was stuck on without notifying you. Once he had that fixed, the issue went away.

So I had her turn off traction control and the CEL immediately went away. Could that be the issue all along?
Jul 19, 2026 at 5:12 PM
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STRAILER
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I never heard of that but anything is possible. The car should have codes for it though.
Jul 20, 2026 at 2:27 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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Well she made it home but had to keep re-disabling traction control each time she restarted the car, but eventually the CEL light came back on so I don't think that was the issue.
Jul 20, 2026 at 2:29 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, so we are back to the actuators, what brand did yo say they were again?
Jul 20, 2026 at 2:34 PM
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ETERNALARIANNE
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They are not OEM it was the only brand they had in stock on rock auto sorry we can't find the receipt and the box is long gone
Jul 20, 2026 at 2:46 PM
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STRAILER
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No worries. You might have defective parts though, or the clutch itself is having problems, I would try replacing them under warranty and if the car still has issues the transmission will need to come out and the clutch looked at/replaced.
Jul 20, 2026 at 2:57 PM
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