EngineLightCodes
Powertrain code

P0705 Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input)

Severity
Fix soon
Typical repair cost
$90–$500
Do it yourself
Shop job
Shop time
0.5–2.5 hours

The computer is getting a combination of signals from the shifter position sensor that doesn't match any valid position, so it no longer knows for sure whether you're in Park, Reverse, Neutral or Drive. Wear, dirt or water inside the sensor is the most common cause; damaged wiring at the transmission is another.

How the engine computer detects it

The transmission range sensor (selector or multifunction switch, PRNDL) reports the selected range; it may be a multi-contact switch with a bit pattern per position, an analog sensor with two opposing voltages adding up to 5 V, or a contactless PWM sensor. Its second channel has its own codes (P2801–P2805). P0705 is the circuit or pattern fault: the module receives a combination that matches no valid position. Ford flags an invalid pattern after 5 s (digital sensor) or 200 ms (4-bit sensor), checking continuously with the check engine light; Saab's 9-5 (9600) detects an impossible combination of its four contacts and goes into limp mode with the transmission warning. The transmission no longer knows the range reliably – limp mode, start interlock or reversing light may be affected. Check the harness for shorts to ground before replacing the sensor.

Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages

Symptoms

  • Check engine and/or transmission warning lamp
  • Transmission limp mode, fixed gear, harsh shifts
  • Starting problems in P/N or start interlock
  • Wrong gear indication, reversing light not working

Common causes

  1. Range sensor worn, dirty or with oil or water ingress Most likely
  2. Sensor misadjusted or selector cable out of adjustment Possible
  3. Harness or connector at the transmission damaged, short to ground Possible
  4. Transmission or engine module input faulty Less likely

How to diagnose P0705

  1. Note exactly what misbehaves: no start in Park, reverse lights out, wrong gear display or harsh shifts. It tells the shop which part of the sensor is failing.
  2. With the ignition off, check the sensor connector on the transmission for water, fluid or corrosion.
  3. Follow the harness along the transmission and look for rubbed-through insulation that could short a wire to ground.
  4. A scanner that reads the transmission module can show each sensor input as the shifter moves, which pinpoints a dead contact.
  5. If the sensor is worn or wet inside, replace it, fix any leak that got it wet, and adjust the new one as the service manual describes.

Vehicles that report P0705 most

VehicleYearsReportsMedian miles
Ford F-1502011–201619125k
Suzuki Forenza2005–20081063k
Nissan Versa2012–2019787k
Suzuki Reno2006–2008347k

Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0705 (50 in total), not failure rates: popular models get more complaints simply because more of them are on the road. Models with fewer than 3 complaints are left out.

Reading the code

P
Powertrain
0
Generic (SAE) code
7
Transmission
05
Specific fault

Questions drivers ask

Can I drive with code P0705?

Be careful. The transmission may go into a backup mode, the engine may not start, and the reverse lights may not work. If it won't shift properly or the gear display is wrong, have it towed; otherwise drive gently to a shop and always set the parking brake when you park.

Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0705?

Probably not in states that test vehicles with an OBD-II scan: an emissions-related code that keeps the check engine light on is usually an automatic fail. Rules differ by state and county, so check yours.

Often reported together

Codes that owners mention in the same NHTSA complaints as P0705. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.

This page is general information, not a substitute for a professional diagnosis. Repair costs are rough estimates for parts and labor and vary by vehicle and region.