P0705: Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input)
P0705 means the transmission range sensor, which tells the car whether it is in Park, Reverse, Neutral or Drive, is sending a signal that matches no valid gear position. The car may drop into limp mode (a protective mode with limited shifting), so treat it as a fault to get checked soon.
You can drive, but get it checked soon
The car may still move, but the transmission can be stuck in one gear, shift harshly or refuse to start in Park or Neutral. Because the car does not know the range reliably, it is better to limit driving to getting it checked.
What it means
The transmission range sensor, also called the selector switch, multifunction switch or PRNDL input, reports which gear range you selected. Depending on the design, it can be a switch with several contacts that produce a pattern for each position, an analog sensor with two opposing voltages that add up to 5 volts, or a contactless sensor that sends a pulsed signal. P0705 is set when the control module receives a combination that fits none of the valid positions. Some makers flag the fault only after the invalid signal lasts a short time, from a fraction of a second to a few seconds, and they check continuously. Because the transmission can no longer be sure which range is selected, limp mode, the start interlock (which only lets the engine start in Park or Neutral) or the reversing light may be affected. Before replacing the sensor, the wiring should be checked for a short to ground.
Likely causes
- Range sensor worn, dirty or with oil or water ingressVery likely
The sensor sits on the transmission, where wear, contamination or moisture can distort its signal into a pattern that matches no position.
- Sensor misadjusted or selector cable out of adjustmentPossible
If the sensor or the shift cable is not aligned with the gear lever, the signal can fall between positions.
- Harness or connector at the transmission damaged, short to groundPossible
Damaged wiring or a bad connector can pull a signal line to ground and create an impossible combination.
- Transmission or engine module input faultyLess likely
The module that reads the sensor can have a faulty input, though this is much less common than a sensor or wiring problem.
What you may notice
- Check engine light and/or transmission warning light on
- Transmission in limp mode, stuck in one gear or shifting harshly
- Trouble starting the engine in Park or Neutral, or the start interlock not working
- Wrong gear shown on the display or reversing light not working
What to check, cheapest first
- 1Check whether the gear indicator on the dash matches the lever position in every range, and whether the reversing light works. · you can do it
- 2Look at the wiring and connector at the transmission for damage, corrosion, oil or water. · you can do it
- 3Read the code and any related codes (such as P0706, P0707, P0708) with a scan tool and note when they appear. · mechanic
- 4Inspect the selector cable and the sensor adjustment and correct them if they are off. · mechanic
- 5Test the wiring for a short to ground and measure the sensor signals in each gear position. · mechanic
- 6Replace the sensor if it is worn or contaminated and the wiring tests good, then clear the code and confirm it does not return. · mechanic
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with a P0705 code?+
Possibly for a short distance, but with caution. The transmission may go into limp mode, and the start interlock or reversing light may not work. Get it checked soon.
Can a loose gas cap cause P0705?+
No. This code relates to the gear range sensor circuit, not the fuel system. A gas cap is not a cause.
Will P0705 pass an emissions test?+
Unlikely. The code turns on the check engine light and is emissions relevant, so the fault should be repaired and the code cleared before testing.
Can I fix P0705 myself?+
Checking for visible wiring damage is simple, but the repair usually involves adjusting or replacing the sensor and testing the wiring, so a shop is the better choice. Expect roughly 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work.
Written with the help of AI from the public OBDex definition (CC0). Each make may use the code differently. Updated: 2026-11-10