Transmission range (gear selector) sensor

What it means

The range sensor tells the computers which position the selector is in: Park, Reverse, Neutral or Drive. It also allows the engine to start only in Park or Neutral.

Codes in this group

Bank 1 is the side of the engine that has cylinder 1. Sensor 1 is before the catalytic converter and sensor 2 is after it. More terms explained.

What you may notice

• Engine will not start in Park, but may in Neutral
• Reverse lights not working
• Gear shown on the dash does not match the lever
• Gearbox in limp mode

Common causes

Most likely first:

• A worn or misadjusted range sensor
• Water or corrosion in its connector
• A stretched or misadjusted selector cable
• Damaged wiring

What to check first

• Try starting in Neutral
• Check whether the reverse lights work
• Adjustment is often all that is needed

Have a mechanic confirm. A fault code tells you which system reported a problem, not which part has failed. The same code can have several causes, and they differ between car models. Use this page to understand the code, then have a qualified mechanic test the car before any part is replaced.

After the repair

Once the cause is fixed, the code can be cleared with a scan tool, or the warning light goes out by itself after several trips without the fault. Clearing a code without fixing the cause only hides it for a while. More about clearing codes.

Related codes

Transmission control system request (P0700), Transmission fluid temperature (P0218), Transmission input and output speed sensors (P0715), Incorrect gear ratio (P0729), Torque converter clutch (P0740), Shift and pressure control solenoids (P0745), Clutch pedal position sensor (manual gearbox) (P0805). All codes.

Written in November 2026. These are generic OBD-II codes, the same on all makes. Causes and repair steps differ between models.