Hydraulic Pump Relay Circuit Low
The P0947 code means the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system has detected: Hydraulic Pump Relay Circuit Low. This is a moderate severity code.
- Keep driving?
- Yes, but fix soon
- DIY difficulty
- moderate
- Estimated cost
- $100 - $600 (wiring or connector at the low end; actuator/valve replacement at the high end)
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What Are the Symptoms of P0947?
- Check Engine Light on
- Drivability may be normal - many circuit faults show no symptom the driver notices
- The affected system may fall back to a default strategy, costing power or economy
- Related values implausible or frozen on a scan tool
What Causes P0947? (Most Likely First)
- Fault in the Hydraulic Pump Relay circuit: the signal reading below its valid range - typically a short to ground or a failed component High
- Damaged wiring, a chafed harness, or a corroded connector at the Hydraulic Pump Relay High
- Failed Hydraulic Pump Relay Moderate
- Control module input/driver fault (rule this out last - it is the least common) Low
Can I Still Drive with P0947?
Yes, but fix soon. P0947 is rated moderate severity. It is not an immediate stop-driving fault, but it will not clear itself — book the repair rather than ignoring the light.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0947 mean?
P0947 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012 as "Hydraulic Pump Relay Circuit Low". It means the control module detected the signal reading below its valid range - typically a short to ground or a failed component
Can I keep driving with P0947?
Yes for normal use, but get it diagnosed - the system is running on a fallback strategy and a small wiring fault left alone tends to become a bigger one.
Does P0947 mean the same thing on every car?
Yes. P0947 is in the generic (SAE J2012) range, so the definition is standardized across manufacturers. The specific component location and repair procedure still vary by vehicle - check your service information.
Mechanics Guide Step-by-step diagnosis
How Do You Diagnose P0947?
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Read the code and freeze-frame data, then watch the Hydraulic Pump Relay live on a scan tool.
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Inspect the connector and harness at the Hydraulic Pump Relay before replacing anything - wiring and corrosion cause most of these.
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Back-probe the circuit and compare signal, ground, and reference voltage against the service-manual values.
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Wiggle-test the harness while watching the live value if the fault is intermittent.
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Clear the code and confirm with a road test that covers the conditions in the freeze frame.
Sources 2
This page is built from documented references. Verify against your own service info before repair work.
- SAE J2012Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions (defines the generic OBD-II code ranges)
- Cross-checked against the SAE J2012:2002 DTC table (2026-08-27)archived scan of the SAE standard — readable copy, not SAE’s current edition
Which Vehicles Commonly Get P0947?
- All OBD-II vehicles - this is a generic (SAE J2012) code with the same meaning across makes
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