# P0705: Transmission Range Sensor "A" Circuit (PRNDL Input) **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week Transmission - Generic OBD-II code, applies to all gasoline cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996. - **Typical cost:** $80-$1,100 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Worn or misadjusted range sensor - **DIY?:** Possible if external ## Quick answer P0705 means the computer is getting an invalid or confusing signal from the transmission range sensor, the switch that reports which position the shifter is in. The car may not start in Park, show the wrong gear, or shift harshly. A worn or misadjusted range sensor, wiring damage, or a stretched shift cable are typical causes. ## What does P0705 mean? The transmission range sensor, also called the neutral safety switch, PRNDL switch, or on some GM transmissions the internal mode switch, tells the computers which position the shifter is in: Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, or a manual range. That signal allows starting only in Park or Neutral, turns on the backup lights and camera, sets the gear display, and tells the transmission computer which shift pattern to use. Most range sensors send several signal lines in a pattern unique to each position. P0705 sets when that pattern matches no valid position, shows two positions at once, or changes in a way that makes no sense, for longer than a set time. The sensor usually mounts on the side of the transmission where the shift cable connects, though on some newer transmissions it sits inside the case. "Circuit" means the fault may be in the sensor, its wiring, or its connector. ## What are the symptoms of P0705? - Engine will not crank in Park, or starts only in Neutral - Gear indicator wrong, blank, or flashing - Harsh engagement, wrong gear, or stuck in one gear - Backup lights or camera not working in Reverse - Check engine light, sometimes a transmission warning ## What causes P0705? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Worn or failed range sensor** (most common). Inside the sensor, sliding contacts move across tracks every time you shift, and over years they wear, collect debris, or corrode. Sensors mounted outside the transmission also face water, salt, and heat. Symptoms often start intermittently, such as a no-start in Park that works after wiggling the shifter. Range data on a scan tool shows the dropouts. 2. **Misadjusted sensor or stretched shift cable** (common). If the sensor or cable is out of position, the transmission lever can sit between valid positions, so the sensor sends a confused pattern. This often follows transmission work, sensor replacement, or wear in the cable bushing at the transmission lever. The shifter may feel sloppy, and the gear display may disagree with the gear actually selected. 3. **Wiring or connector damage** (common). The range sensor harness runs near the exhaust and the road surface, where heat, debris, and corrosion damage wires and pins. Fluid leaking from the shift shaft seal can soak the connector on some designs. A fault that changes over bumps or in turns, or green crust on the pins, points to wiring rather than the sensor. 4. **Internal range switch fault** (less common). On transmissions with the range switch inside the case, or built into a combined control module, fluid, debris, or heat can damage it where you cannot see it. The fix then means removing the pan or valve body, and sometimes replacing a combined unit. Scan tool range readings in each position guide that decision before parts are ordered. 5. **Transmission computer fault** (rare). Rarely, the computer that reads the range signals has a failed input, or needs a software update for a known fault. A shop rules this out by checking the signals at the computer connector while shifting through every position. If good signals reach the computer and it still reports the wrong gear, the module becomes the suspect. ## How do you diagnose P0705? 1. Shift slowly through each position while a scan tool shows the range reading, and note any wrong or missing position. 2. Check that the shift cable lines the transmission lever up with its detents, and inspect the cable bushing. 3. Inspect the sensor connector and harness for damage, fluid, or corrosion. 4. Test each signal line at the sensor and the computer while shifting, then adjust or replace the sensor. ## How do you fix P0705, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Adjust range sensor or replace cable bushing | $80-$250 | Often fixes faults that began after other transmission work. | | Replace external range sensor | $150-$450 | Includes setting the sensor to the correct position. | | Replace internal range switch | $400-$1,100 | Requires pan or valve body removal and fresh fluid. | ## Is it safe to drive with P0705? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Use care, because a confused range signal can, on rare occasions, let the engine start in gear, or leave you unable to restart after shutting off. Set the parking brake, keep your foot on the brake when starting, and get it repaired soon. ## Will P0705 fail an emissions test? P0705 turns on the check engine light, so it fails an OBD-II emissions test in most states. Some safety inspections also check that the engine will not start in gear and that the backup lights work, and this fault can affect both. Repair it, clear the codes, and allow the readiness monitors to complete. ## After the repair: clearing P0705 After repair or adjustment, clear the codes and shift slowly through every position while watching the gear display and the scan tool range reading. Confirm the engine starts only in Park and Neutral and the backup lights work in Reverse. Some vehicles require a range sensor relearn. A week of normal driving without the code means it worked. ## How to prevent P0705 - Come to a full stop before shifting into Park or Reverse to protect the linkage. - Set the parking brake before shifting into Park on hills to ease strain on the linkage. - Have shift cable bushings checked if the shifter starts to feel loose or sloppy. - Fix fluid leaks at the shift shaft seal before they reach the range sensor connector. - Ask for the sensor to be adjusted by the correct procedure after any transmission removal. ## Codes often seen with P0705 - [P0700](/codes/p0700): Transmission Control System (MIL Request) - [P0715](/codes/p0715): Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit - [P0730](/codes/p0730): Incorrect Gear Ratio ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I drive with a P0705 code? Usually you can drive carefully to a shop, but the car may not restart once you turn it off, and shifts may be harsh. Set the parking brake every time you park, avoid shifting while moving, and get it checked soon. If the engine ever starts in gear, stop driving it. ### What is a transmission range sensor? The transmission range sensor is a switch that reports which position the shifter is in, such as Park, Reverse, Neutral, or Drive. It lets the engine start only in Park or Neutral, runs the backup lights and gear display, and tells the transmission computer which gear range to use. ### Is a range sensor the same as a neutral safety switch? Mostly, yes. Older vehicles used a simple neutral safety switch that only allowed starting in Park or Neutral. Modern range sensors do that job and also report every shifter position to the computers. Some makers call it a PRNDL switch or, on some GM transmissions, an internal mode switch. ### How much does it cost to fix P0705? Most P0705 repairs cost $80 to $1,100 at an independent shop. Adjusting the sensor or fixing a shift cable bushing runs about $80 to $250, and an external range sensor $150 to $450. If the switch sits inside the transmission, expect $400 to $1,100 with fresh fluid. ### Why won't my car start in Park but starts in Neutral? That classic pattern usually means the range sensor contacts for Park are worn or the sensor is slightly out of adjustment. The computer does not see Park, so it blocks the starter. Starting in Neutral is a short-term workaround, but have the sensor tested and adjusted or replaced soon. ### Can I replace a transmission range sensor myself? On many vehicles with an external sensor, yes, with basic tools and careful adjustment. The sensor usually bolts to the side of the transmission at the shift lever, and some need an alignment tool or a set position. Internal switches require removing the pan or valve body, which is better left to a shop. ### Can a bad range sensor cause harsh shifting? Yes. If the transmission computer cannot tell which range is selected, it may use a backup shift strategy or limp mode, with harsh engagements and fewer gears. Fixing the range signal usually restores normal shifting, unless fluid or internal problems were also present before the code appeared. ### Why does my gear indicator show the wrong gear? A gear display that blinks, shows the wrong letter, or goes blank usually reflects what the range sensor is reporting. Misadjustment, a stretched cable, or worn contacts are typical causes. If the display disagrees with the actual position, do not rely on it, and make sure the car is in Park before getting out. ### Can a shift cable cause P0705? Yes, a stretched shift cable or a worn bushing where the cable connects to the transmission lever can leave the lever between positions. The range sensor then reports an invalid pattern even though it works fine. If the shifter feels loose, have the cable and bushing checked before replacing the sensor. ### Will P0705 go away after adjusting the sensor? If misadjustment was the cause, P0705 usually stays away after the sensor is set correctly and the code is cleared. If the contacts are worn, adjustment may help briefly before the code returns. Watch the range reading on a scan tool through every position to confirm the fix. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) - [EPA: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)](https://www.epa.gov/state-and-local-transportation/vehicle-emissions-board-diagnostics-obd) ## Other transmission codes - [P0700 Transmission Control System (MIL Request)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0700) - [P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0715) - [P0717 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor "A" Circuit No Signal](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0717) - [P0720 Output Shaft Speed Sensor "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0720) - [P0730 Incorrect Gear Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0730) - [P0731 Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0731) - [P0732 Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0732) - [P0740 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit/Open](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0740) - [P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Circuit Performance/Stuck Off](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0741) - [P0750 Shift Solenoid "A"](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0750) ## Symptoms - [Why won't my car start?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-wont-start) - [Why won't my car go into gear?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-wont-go-into-gear) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0705 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.