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P0705: Transmission range sensor: circuit fault

The ECU gets an inconsistent signal from the sensor that reports the automatic gear selector position, from the sensor or its wiring.

Code P0705 at a glance
CodeP0705
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP07xx, Transmission
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0705 means

The transmission range sensor (sometimes called the range switch) tells the control units which position the automatic selector is in: P, R, N, D and so on. It decides whether the engine may start, switches on the reversing lights and shows the position on the dashboard. This code indicates an electrical fault in its circuit: the signal is missing or does not match any valid position.

Most common causes

  • Sensor out of adjustment, especially after the gearbox or selector has been removed
  • Dirt, oil or moisture in the sensor connector
  • Selector cable stretched or badly adjusted
  • Faulty sensor
  • Damaged wiring
  • Transmission control unit fault (uncommon)

Symptoms

  • Engine will not start in P or N, or starts in other positions
  • Reversing lights not working
  • Dashboard gear display not matching the selector
  • Odd gear changes or limp mode

Can you drive with P0705?

With care You can drive with care, but the car may fail to start or show the wrong gear. If it starts with a gear engaged, do not use it until repaired.

How to check it

With your foot on the brake, move the selector through every position and check the dashboard shows the right one and the reversing lights come on in R. On the scanner, watch the live selector position reading.

How to read and clear P0705 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0705 with this same explanation and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

This code is usually stored by the gearbox control unit. With Free you read it for nothing with its short description, because Free reads every control unit; with Pro you also get the full explanation, how the car was running when it was logged and clearing.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before the ITV. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in the ITV and OBD.

Similar codes

P0705 is a generic code, so it means the same on any make, for example on Audi, BMW, Fiat, Mazda, Peugeot, Volkswagen. See what Final OBD does on your car in makes and models.

What does code P0705 mean?

The transmission range sensor (sometimes called the range switch) tells the control units which position the automatic selector is in: P, R, N, D and so on. It decides whether the engine may start, switches on the reversing lights and shows the position on the dashboard. This code indicates an electrical fault in its circuit: the signal is missing or does not match any valid position.

Can you drive with P0705?

You can drive with care, but the car may fail to start or show the wrong gear. If it starts with a gear engaged, do not use it until repaired.

How do you clear P0705?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0705 comes back.