Number P0705: Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input)
The transmission range sensor (selector or multifunction switch, PRNDL) reports the selected range; it may be a multi-contact switch with a bit pattern per position, an analog sensor with two opposing voltages adding up to 5 V, or a contactless PWM sensor. Its second channel has its own codes (P2801
Can you drive with P0705?
Severity: Fix promptly — drivability fault. Short trips at moderate speed only. If the car has entered limp mode (won't rev, stuck in one gear), have it towed rather than forcing it.
If you ignore it: Limp-mode faults tend to strand you, and several of them (misfires, throttle faults) damage other parts while you wait.
This is the #123 most common code in our top-150 library, in the transmission family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P0705 means
The transmission range sensor (selector or multifunction switch, PRNDL) reports the selected range; it may be a multi-contact switch with a bit pattern per position, an analog sensor with two opposing voltages adding up to 5 V, or a contactless PWM sensor. Its second channel has its own codes (P2801–P2805). P0705 is the circuit or pattern fault: the module receives a combination that matches no valid position. Ford flags an invalid pattern after 5 s (digital sensor) or 200 ms (4-bit sensor), checking continuously with the check engine light; Saab's 9-5 (9600) detects an impossible combination of its four contacts and goes into limp mode with the gearbox warning. The transmission no longer knows the range reliably – limp mode, start interlock or reversing light may be affected. Check the harness for shorts to ground before replacing the sensor.
Systems involved: transmission range sensor, sensor wiring, transmission control module.
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Range sensor worn, dirty or with oil or water ingress | most likely |
| 2 | Sensor misadjusted or selector cable out of adjustment | possible |
| 3 | Harness or connector at the transmission damaged, short to ground | possible |
| 4 | Transmission or engine module input faulty | less common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- Check engine and/or transmission warning lamp
- Transmission limp mode, fixed gear, harsh shifts
- Starting problems in P/N or start interlock
- Wrong gear indication, reversing light not working
Misdiagnosis traps
- Replacing the part named by the code title without testing. The code reports a failed self-test; the cause list above is ranked so the likely, cheap causes are checked before the expensive part is condemned.
- Clearing the code and declaring victory when the light stays off for a day — the monitor that sets this code runs only under specific driving conditions.
(General diagnostic guidance for this code family — no code-specific trap is published for this code.)
How a good shop confirms it
- Confirm the code and record any companion codes — companions narrow the system fast.
- Inspect the affected components and their wiring/connectors for damage, corrosion and looseness.
- Test the top-ranked cause with live data or a multimeter before replacing anything.
(Standard diagnostic path for this family, labeled as general guidance.)
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission shift solenoid | $338 – $838 | $150 – $400 (parts only) | 4/5 |
National ranges from Number Nest's cost model (midsize car, independent shop, US-average labor).
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty medium with a typical labor time in the 0.5–2.5 hour range and DIY possible: see the guide above.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix P0705?
The fix most associated with this code — transmission shift solenoid — runs $338 – $838 at an independent shop for a midsize car in our cost model (parts + labor, US average). The code names a system, not a part, so confirm the cause before spending: the ranked causes above are ordered by likelihood.
Can I drive with P0705?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P0705 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P0705?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P0705?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.