P0706 means Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance. The range sensor signal is present but does not match what the computer expects, for example showing two gears at once or a position between gears. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0706 means
Electronically controlled automatics are run by a transmission control module (TCM), a separate box or part of the engine computer. It reads speed sensors, the range sensor and fluid temperature to decide when to shift, and drives solenoids that apply clutches and the torque converter clutch. Many basic code readers only show the generic P0700; a scan tool that reads the transmission module shows the specific fault. Check fluid level and condition first, since low or burnt fluid causes many transmission codes.
P0706 symptoms
- Gear indicator flickering
- No-start in park or neutral
- Erratic shifting
Common causes of P0706
- Range sensor out of adjustment
- Worn sensor contacts
- Loose shift linkage or cable
How to diagnose P0706
- Check the shift cable or linkage adjustment
- Watch the range signal while moving the selector slowly
- Inspect the connector and wiring
Can you drive with P0706?
With caution; repair promptly.
P0706 tips
Range/performance codes often appear after transmission work or shift cable replacement, because the sensor or cable was not adjusted to the exact park or neutral position. Adjusting it to specification fixes many P0706 codes without parts.
Will P0706 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0706 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0705 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) |
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
Guides that help
- transmission range sensor
- transmission won’t shift
- transmission control module
- transmission solenoid symptoms
When it is more than a sensor
If the fault turns out to be internal (worn clutches, a failed converter or a damaged valve body), compare a rebuild with a replacement in transmission rebuild vs replacement and transmission replacement cost, identify your unit with what transmission do I have?, and browse our transmissions.
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