P0705 means Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input). The computer is getting an invalid signal from the transmission range sensor, the switch that reports which gear the selector is in. 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 P0705 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.
P0705 symptoms
- Gear indicator wrong or blank
- Starts in gear or will not start in park
- Reverse lights not working
- Harsh or wrong shifting
Common causes of P0705
- Misadjusted or failed range sensor
- Damaged wiring or connector
- Water or corrosion in the sensor
How to diagnose P0705
- Compare the range shown on a scan tool with the selector position
- Inspect the sensor connector and wiring
- Check sensor adjustment where it is adjustable
Can you drive with P0705?
With caution; a vehicle that can start in gear is a safety risk. Repair promptly.
P0705 tips
On many trucks the range sensor mounts on the side of the transmission case where road water and salt reach it, and corrosion inside the connector is common. A vehicle that will only start in neutral, or whose reverse lights stay dark, often has a range sensor fault before the code even sets.
Will P0705 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 P0705 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 |
|---|---|
| P0706 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid A Malfunction |
Guides that help
- transmission range sensor
- transmission won’t shift
- transmission control module
- transmission solenoid symptoms
- limp mode
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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