LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Subaru >> 2023 >> Ascent Base >> Repair and Diagnosis (Single Page) >> Transmission >> Automatic Trans >> Automatic Transaxle System (Diagnostics) >> Diagnostic Procedure with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) >> DTC P0890: TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit Low >> Notes
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

DTC P0890: TCM Power Relay Sense Circuit Low: Notes

DTC detecting condition: 

Immediately at fault recognition

Trouble symptom: 

Improper gear shifting

CAUTION:

Wiring diagram: 

DC power supply circuit Ref. to WIRING SYSTEM>POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT>WIRING DIAGRAM .

CVT control system Ref. to WIRING SYSTEM>CVT CONTROL SYSTEM>WIRING DIAGRAM .

Engine electrical system Ref. to WIRING SYSTEM>ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM>WIRING DIAGRAM .

G16446583Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  1. CHECK HARNESS  .
    1. Disconnect the TCM connector.
    2. Remove the main relay.
    3. Measure the resistance between TCM connector and M/B.

      Connector & terminal 

      (B54) No. 8 - (M/B) No. 3:

      (B54) No. 24 - (M/B) No. 3:

      (B54) No. 40 - (M/B) No. 3:

    Is the resistance less than 1 Ω?

    Yes:  Go to  2.

    No:  Repair the open circuit of harness.

  2. CHECK HARNESS  .
    1. Disconnect the ECM connector.
    2. Measure the resistance between ECM connector and M/B.

      Connector & terminal 

      (B134) No. 29 - (M/B) No. 4:

    Is the resistance less than 1 Ω?

    Yes:  Go to  3.

    No:  Repair the open circuit of harness.

  3. CHECK HARNESS  .
    1. Remove M/B fuse No. 26.
    2. Measure the resistance between TCM connector and chassis ground.

      Connector & terminal 

      (B54) No. 8 - Chassis ground:

      (B54) No. 24 - Chassis ground:

      (B54) No. 40 - Chassis ground:

    Is the resistance 1 MΩ or more?

    Yes:  Go to  4.

    No:  Repair the short circuit of harness.

  4. CHECK RELAY POWER SUPPLY  .
    1. Install M/B fuse No. 26.
    2. Measure the voltage between M/B and chassis ground.

      Connector & terminal 

      (M/B) No. 1 (+) - Chassis ground (-):

      (M/B) No. 2 (+) - Chassis ground (-):

    Is the voltage 10 V or more?

    Yes:  Go to  5.

    No:  Repair the open or short circuit of harness.

  5. CHECK MAIN RELAY  .
    1. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
    2. Check the main relay. Ref. to FUEL INJECTION (FUEL SYSTEMS) (H4DOTC)>MAIN RELAY>INSPECTION .

    Is the check result OK?

    Yes:  Go to  6.

    No:  Replace the main relay.

  6. CHECK INPUT SIGNAL FOR TCM  .
    1. Connect all connectors.
    2. Install the main relay.
    3. Using the Subaru Select Monitor, read data of [Control module voltage] in the [Data Monitor] of [Transmission]. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS)>DATA MONITOR .

    Is [Control module voltage] 10 V or more?

    Yes:  Current condition is normal. Check for poor contact in connectors or harnesses, and repair the defective part.

    No:  Go to  7.

  7. CHECK MAIN RELAY  .
    1. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
    2. Replace the main relay.
    3. Using the Subaru Select Monitor, perform the clear memory of [Transmission]. Ref. to COMMON (DIAGNOSTICS)>CLEAR MEMORY .
    4. Read the DTC of [Transmission] using the Subaru Select Monitor. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) .

    Is DTC P0890 displayed?

    Yes:  Replace the TCM. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR690)>TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) .

    No:  The original main relay is defective.