AutoCodes – Ford – P1838 Ford

P1838 Ford Code - Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Failure

Quick Answer

The Engine Control Module (ECM) monitors the Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor. Common causes include Faulty Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor, Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor harness is open or shorted, Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor circuit poor electrical connection. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: P1838 Ford indicates Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Failure.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor, Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor harness is open or shorted, Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor circuit poor electrical connection.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

Save to My Repairs My Repairs

AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat

Code Popularity 21,197

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Advanced (Pro) (3 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Jan 30, 2020

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
Comments
Add Comment

💬 Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers — it's free!

Code P1838 Ford Description

The Engine Control Module (ECM) monitors the Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor. The ECM sets the OBDII code when the Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor is not to factory specifications.

OBDII Code P1838 Ford - Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Failure - AutoCodes.com — P1838 Ford Code - Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Failure

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1838 Ford?

Faulty Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor
Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor harness is open or shorted
Transmission Transfer Case Shift Motor circuit poor electrical connection

How to Fix the DTC P1838 Ford?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P1838 Ford code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the P1838 Ford code?

Need more information on how to fix the P1838 Ford code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P1838 Ford code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.