What P0707 means
The signal from the shifter position sensor is too low, which usually means a wire is shorted to ground or the sensor has lost its power supply. Here "low" refers to the voltage, not to a low gear. Either way, the computer can't tell which gear you've selected.
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). P0707 means the sensor A signal is too low – usually a short to ground or lost supply. GM's T87A transmission module flags a PWM duty cycle below 8.8 % for 0.5 s within 1.5 s, with the lamp in the first trip; Ford flags a duty cycle below 10 %, an analog sensor below 0.2 V for 5 s or a dual-analog channel below 0.127 V for 200 ms; Saab's 9-5 (9650) below 0.127 V for 100 ms twice. 'Low' refers to the signal, not to a gear.
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
- Signal wire shorted to ground (chafing at the transmission case) Most likely
- Sensor faulty internally Possible
- Sensor supply missing (5 V reference, fuse) Possible
- Connector corroded or oil in the connector Less likely
How to diagnose P0707
- Check the fuses that feed the transmission module and its sensors.
- With the ignition off, inspect the sensor wiring where it runs along the transmission case. Chafed insulation shorting to the case is a common cause of this code.
- Unplug the sensor connector and check it for oil, water or corrosion.
- A shop can measure the sensor's supply and signal wires. Checking the wiring first avoids replacing a good sensor.
- Replace the sensor if the supply and wiring are good, then confirm the reading with a scanner that reads the transmission module.
Vehicles that report P0707 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 2014–2017 | 44 | 89k | |
| Ford Expedition | 2015–2017 | 3 | — |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0707 (48 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
- 07
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0707?
Don't count on the car behaving normally: it may hold one gear, refuse to start, or show the wrong gear. If any of that happens, have it towed. If it drives normally, go gently to a shop and use the parking brake every time you park.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0707?
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 P0707. They can point to a shared cause, so it's worth checking them together.
- P0706Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance41 complaints
- P1702Manufacturer-specific code20 complaints
- P1921Manufacturer-specific code12 complaints
- P0705Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input)7 complaints
- P0720Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit4 complaints
- P0722Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal3 complaints
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.