VW / Audi 14-Pin Gearbox Wire Harness Connector – OEM 4H0973717C | Male & Female | ZF8HP / DSG

The OEM 4H0973717C is a 14-pin connector used in Volkswagen and Audi gearbox (transmission) harnesses. The 4H0 prefix indicates this connector originates from the Audi A8 (4H) platform, but it is used across multiple VAG Group transmission applications. The 14-pin configuration integrates TCM power, ground, CAN bus, multiple solenoid control, speed sensor, and fluid temperature sensor circuits for VAG Group automatic and DSG transmission systems. Available in Male and Female variants, bare or with 15cm pre-wired leads.

Key Specifications

• OEM Part Number: 4H0973717C
• Pin count: 14-pin
• Gender options: Male / Female
• Available as: Bare connector or 15cm pre-wired leads
• Application: ZF 8HP automatic transmission, DSG gearbox harness
• VAG Group compatibility: Audi, VW, Porsche (shared ZF8HP platform)

VAG Part Number Decoding: 4H0973717C

• 4H0 — Vehicle platform prefix (Audi A8 4H, 2009–2017)
• 973 — Electrical connector / wiring harness component group
• 717 — Specific connector variant (14-pin gearbox harness)
• C — Revision suffix (third revision of this connector design)

14-Pin Gearbox Connector Circuit Assignment

• Pins 1–2: TCM (Transmission Control Module) power supply and ground
• Pins 3–4: CAN High / CAN Low (powertrain CAN bus — TCM to ECU communication)
• Pins 5–6: Shift solenoid 1 control (MV1 — gear selection)
• Pins 7–8: Shift solenoid 2 control (MV2 — gear selection)
• Pins 9–10: Pressure regulation solenoid (EDS — line pressure control)
• Pin 11: Turbine speed sensor signal (input shaft speed)
• Pin 12: Output shaft speed sensor signal
• Pin 13: Transmission fluid temperature sensor signal
• Pin 14: Sensor ground reference

ZF 8HP – The Transmission Behind This Connector

The ZF 8HP (8-speed hydraulic automatic) is one of the most widely licensed automatic transmission platforms in the world. Developed by ZF Friedrichshafen, it is used by Audi, BMW, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati, Chrysler, and Ram. In VAG Group vehicles, the ZF 8HP is used in:

• Audi A6 (C7/C8): 2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI quattro
• Audi A7 (4G/4K): 3.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI quattro
• Audi A8 (4H/4N): 3.0 TFSI, 4.0 TFSI, 6.3 W12
• Audi Q5 (8R/FY): 2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI quattro
• Audi Q7 (4L/4M): 3.0 TFSI, 3.0 TDI quattro
• VW Touareg (7P/CR): 3.0 TDI, 3.6 FSI
• Porsche Cayenne (92A/9YA): 3.0 TDI, 3.6 V6

Fault Codes from Gearbox Connector Degradation

• P0700: Transmission Control System Malfunction (generic TCM fault)
• P0750–P0770: Shift solenoid A–E circuit faults (solenoid control pins)
• P0715: Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
• P0720: Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
• P0710: Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction
• U0101: Lost Communication with TCM (CAN bus pins affected)
• P0218: Transmission Over Temperature (fluid temp sensor circuit fault causing incorrect temperature reading)

Common Failure Scenarios

• Transmission fluid contamination: ZF 8HP fluid leaks can wick into the gearbox connector via capillary action, causing solenoid circuit corrosion and shift quality faults
• Connector locking tab failure: The 4H0973717C locking tab is known to become brittle with age, causing the connector to work loose under vibration and generate intermittent TCM communication faults
• Rodent damage: Transmission harness wires are a common target for rodents in vehicles stored outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the ZF 8HP and the DSG gearbox?
A: The ZF 8HP is a conventional hydraulic automatic transmission (torque converter). The DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) is a dual-clutch transmission (DCT) — a fundamentally different design. Both use the 4H0973717C connector family in VAG Group applications, but the specific pin assignment differs between ZF 8HP and DSG applications. Verify the connector part number on your existing harness before ordering.

Q: My Audi goes into limp mode with P0700 — is this the connector?
A: P0700 is a generic TCM fault code that indicates the TCM has detected an internal fault. Check for additional transmission-specific fault codes (P0750–P0770, P0715, P0720) using VCDS or ODIS. If multiple solenoid or sensor codes are present simultaneously, the gearbox connector is a likely cause. Clean the connector pins with electrical contact cleaner and re-test before replacing the TCM ($800–$2,500).

Q: Are terminals included?
A: Yes, terminals are included with all variants.