P0816: The gear reduction switch has an electrical fault
The gear reduction switch has an electrical fault. It may be the part itself, its connector or the wiring.
| Code | P0816 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P08xx, Transmission |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
How to read and clear P0816 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 P0816 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
- P0812 The reverse gear input has an electrical fault
- P0813 The reverse gear output has an electrical fault
- P0814 The gearbox range display has an electrical fault
- P0815 The gear shift switch has an electrical fault
- P0817 The starter disable circuit has a fault
- P0818 The circuit of the driveline disconnect switch has a fault
- P0819 The gear up and down switch position does not match the gear selector position
- P081A The starter disable circuit signal is too low
- P0841 Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A: circuit range or performance
- P0842 Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A: circuit low
- P0843 Transmission fluid pressure sensor/switch A: circuit high
- P0868 Transmission fluid pressure low
What does code P0816 mean?
The gear reduction switch has an electrical fault. It may be the part itself, its connector or the wiring.
How do you clear P0816?
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, P0816 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.
