What P0792 means
The intermediate shaft speed sensor measures a shaft between input and output – a countershaft on Toyota's U760 six-speed, the intermediate shaft behind the overdrive set on Ford's 5R110W.
How the engine computer detects it
Together with turbine and output speed it lets the module check each gear stage and control clutch slip. P0792 means a signal is present but implausible: intermediate shaft speed does not match turbine or output speed for the detected gear stage, exceeds a maximum or jumps unrealistically. No manufacturer document available to us uses this code – Ford uses only P0791, Toyota's bulletin P0791/P0793, GM its own codes; the logic follows GM's range checks for input and output sensors (P0716/P0721). Ratio codes, by contrast, point to clutch slip rather than a sensor fault.
Written from public technical sources and not yet checked by a mechanic. How we write these pages
Symptoms
- Check engine light or transmission warning
- Shift problems
- Limp mode possible
Common causes
- Sensor delivering faulty pulses (air gap, reluctor wheel) Most likely
- Interference or loose contact Possible
- Mechanical slip interpreted as a sensor fault Less likely
- Wrong sensor fitted Less likely
How to diagnose P0792
- Read every stored code with an OBD-II scanner. If misfire or fuel trim codes are there too, fix those first: they often cause this one.
- Inspect the parts involved: intermediate shaft speed sensor, sensor wiring, transmission control module.
- Work through the causes above from most to least likely, cheapest checks first.
- Clear the code and drive a full drive cycle to confirm the repair held.
Vehicles that report P0792 most
| Vehicle | Years | Reports | Share | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Town and Country | 2010–2015 | 4 | 56k |
Counts of owner complaints to the NHTSA that mention P0792 (8 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
- 92
- Specific fault
Questions drivers ask
Can I drive with code P0792?
Drive gently and only as far as you need to. The engine computer may limit power to protect the engine, so avoid highways and heavy traffic until it's fixed. If the check engine light starts flashing, pull over.
Will my car pass an emissions inspection with P0792?
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 P0792. 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.