P0744 on Citroen: How to Diagnose & Fix
Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent
1 Citroen model · 1 documented issue · 1 critical · $600-$3,000 repair
P0744 on Citroen by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
C3s fitted with Citroen's automated-manual gearboxes — SensoDrive on the C3 I, then EGS6/ETG6 on later e-HDi and PureTech cars — suffer well-documented failures of the electronic clutch actuator, gear actuator and gearbox ECU. Worn actuator motors and clutch-position adaptation errors cause violently jerky gearchanges, refusal to select gears, gearbox warning messages with the box locked in gear (limp mode), and in some ECU failures a car that will not start. Specialist rebuilders describe the actuator and ECU faults as inherent design weaknesses, and repairs at a dealer can run from several hundred to several thousand pounds.
Common Symptoms
- Jerky or violent gearchanges
- Gearbox warning light or message, stuck in one gear (limp mode)
- Refusal to select gears from neutral
- Engine will not start (gearbox ECU fault)
- Juddering when pulling away
- Delayed engagement of drive or reverse
How to Fix
Have the stored fault codes read by a PSA specialist: failed clutch/gear actuators can be rebuilt or replaced and the clutch self-calibration relearned, while gearbox ECUs can be tested and rebuilt by specialists at far less than dealer replacement cost. A worn clutch must be replaced and the actuator recalibrated at the same time.
Sources for this issue (7)
- Sinspeed — Citroen/Peugeot SensoDrive Clutch & Gear Actuator Repairsarticle
- French Car Forum — SensoDrive gearbox troubleshooting (clutch + actuator most frequent failure)forum
- French Car Forum — Citroen C3 SensoDrive issue (P1755 clutch actuator coherence fault, no-start)forum
- FixMyCar — Citroen C3 Problems: SensoDrive semi-auto is the main trouble spot (2002-2009)article
- ECU Testing — Citroen C2/C3 SensoDrive Gearbox ECU common fault (2003-2011)article
- The Vehicle Check — Citroen SensoDrive Clutch Actuator Fault and Repair (C2/C3 1.1/1.4/1.6)article
- ASR Gearbox Repairs — Citroen C3 Common Gearbox Problems (ETG locked in gear, harsh shifts)article
P0744 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0744 mean on a Citroen?
P0744 stands for "Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent." This code means the transmission computer detected an intermittent (on-and-off) problem with the torque converter clutch (TCC) circuit. The torque converter clutch locks up to create a direct mechanical link between the engine and transmission at cruising speed, improving efficiency, and the computer monitors that circuit and the converter's slip. When the lockup signal or engagement comes and goes erratically, this code sets. Drivers often feel shuddering, slipping, or surging at steady speeds, or the engine RPM may flare; it points to an electrical, fluid, or mechanical fault in the lockup system. On Citroen it is documented across 1 model: C3.
What are the most common causes of P0744?
The most common causes of P0744 are: Low, dirty, or degraded transmission fluid, Failed or stuck torque converter clutch solenoid, Intermittent or chafed solenoid/TCC wiring, Corroded or loose transmission connector, Worn torque converter or internal clutch, Clogged valve body passages or sticking valve, Faulty transmission control module (TCM). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0744 on a Citroen?
Published repair estimates on Citroen range from $600 to $3,000 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
Looking for P0744 on a different make?
View P0744 across all makes →Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.