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 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P07xx, Transmission |
| Type | Generic: 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.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
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 its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
This code is usually stored by the gearbox control unit. If the car reports it over standard OBD, you read it for nothing with FREE; to read it straight from the gearbox control unit, with its description and clearing, you need PRO.
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 an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0701 Transmission control system: range/performance
- P0702 Transmission control system: electrical fault
- P0703 Torque converter/brake switch B: circuit fault
- P0704 Fault in the clutch pedal switch
- P0706 Transmission range sensor: range/performance
- P0707 The gearbox position sensor gives a lower signal than normal
- P0708 The gearbox position sensor gives a higher signal than normal
- P0709 The gearbox position sensor fails now and then
- P0700 Transmission control system: fault detected
- P0710 Transmission fluid temperature sensor: circuit fault
- P0711 Transmission fluid temperature sensor: range/performance
- P0712 Transmission fluid temperature sensor: circuit low
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.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
