P0705 Fault in the transmission range sensor circuit (gear selector position input)

Transmission range sensor circuit

P0705 in short

P0705 means the computer is getting a signal from the transmission range sensor, which reports the gear lever position, that does not make sense. Common causes are a misadjusted or failed switch, a loose bracket, or a wet connector. Have it inspected soon, since engagement and starting problems often follow.

The transmission range sensor, also called the inhibitor or neutral safety switch, tells the computers which position the gear lever is in. It lets the engine start only in Park or Neutral, lights the reverse lamps, and tells the transmission which gear range to use. P0705 sets when its signal is missing, unclear or shows more than one position at once.

Bulletins show a range of causes. Hyundai points to an improperly adjusted or failing switch that can stop the engine starting in Park or Neutral, and Kia added a bracket to the switch on some Sedonas, Sportages and Sorentos. Toyota links the code to delayed or harsh engagement on Tacomas, and GM found spread terminals or moisture in the switch connector on the 2013 Spark.

One unusual case is the 2012–2014 Nissan Versa, where water in a tail lamp corroded its circuit board and set P0705. Nissan tells technicians not to replace the CVT for it.

Most likely causes

  1. Range switch out of adjustment or failing

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Hyundai and Kia bulletins tie P0705 to a misadjusted or faulty range switch, or a switch that needs a bracket, and Hyundai replaces the switch on some 2017–2018 models.
    What would change this
    Rises if the engine will not start in Park or Neutral, or engagement is uneven.

  2. Damaged, spread or wet range switch connector

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    GM tells technicians to check the park/neutral position connector for spread terminals, bent pins, a damaged seal or moisture on the 2013 Spark.
    What would change this
    Rises if the gear display goes blank or the fault comes and goes.

  3. Water in a tail lamp corroding its circuit board (2012–2014 Versa)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan traces P0705 and hesitation on these cars to tail lamp water intrusion and says not to replace the CVT.
    What would change this
    Rises if either tail lamp has water inside.

  4. Known Tacoma condition with delayed or harsh engagement (2005–2009)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Toyota issued a bulletin for P0705 on these trucks with delayed engagement into Reverse or Drive and harsh engagement out of Park or Neutral.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered Tacoma.

  5. Range sensor wiring fault

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    This is a circuit code, so the wiring between the switch and the computer is part of what is being tested.
    What would change this
    Rises if the harness near the transmission is damaged.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module

  2. With the parking brake set and your foot firmly on the brake, move the lever slowly through every position and watch whether the gear display on the dash follows it. Then check that the engine cranks in Park and in Neutral.

    Use caution

    Warning:Keep the parking brake on and your foot on the brake the whole time. Do not try to start the engine in a drive gear.

  3. Check for P0705 bulletins for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.

    Low risk

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Engine will not start in Park or Neutral
  • Delayed or harsh engagement into Drive or Reverse
  • Gear display on the dash goes blank or shows the wrong position
  • Hesitation during acceleration (some Versas)
  • Lacks power and will not shift Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

Compare with: Check engine light with loss of power

How to fix

  1. Do not clear the code before the transmission module has been read.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has a P0705 bulletin. Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan and GM have issued them.

  3. On a 2012–2014 Versa, look for water inside the tail lamps before anything else. Nissan says not to replace the CVT for this.

On your vehicle

Toyota

  • 2005–2009 · Tacoma

    Supported by vehicle data

    Toyota SB-0277-09 covers the MIL with P0705, with possible delayed or harsh engagement. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • SB-0277-09Status unverified

    MIL on with P0705

    2005–2009tacoma · issued · NHTSA 10030909

    Some trucks may have the MIL with P0705, possible delayed engagement into Reverse or Drive, and harsh engagement out of Park or Neutral. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Kia

  • 2011–2012 · Sorento

    Supported by vehicle data

    Kia service action TRA045R1 adds a bracket to the inhibitor switch for no-start, uneven engagement or P0705. The 2010–2012 Sedona and Sportage have the same fix under TRA044. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

    Where it is:Inhibitor switch on the transaxle

  • 2010–2012 · Sportage

    Supported by vehicle data

    Kia TRA044 adds a bracket to the inhibitor switch for no-start, uneven engagement or P0705. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

    Where it is:Inhibitor switch on the transaxle

  • TRA044Status unverified

    Inhibitor switch bracket installation

    2010–2012sedona, sportage · issued · NHTSA 10090581

    Some vehicles built April 2009 to September 2011 may not start, engage unevenly or store P0705. A bracket is installed on the inhibitor switch. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • TRA045R1Status unverified

    Service action: inhibitor switch bracket installation

    2011–2012sorento · issued · NHTSA 10090582

    Some Sorentos built October 2009 to February 2011 may not start, engage unevenly or store P0705. A bracket is installed on the inhibitor switch. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Nissan

  • 2012–2014 · Versa

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan NTB15-082 traces hesitation and P0705 to water in a tail lamp corroding its circuit board, and says not to replace the CVT. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

    Where it is:Rear tail lamp assemblies

  • NTB15-082Status unverified

    Hesitation and/or MIL with P0705: tail lamp water intrusion

    2012–2014versa · issued · NHTSA 10192648

    Inspect both tail lamps for water and their circuit boards for corrosion, and replace an affected lamp. Do not replace the CVT for this condition. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

Chevrolet

  • 2013 · Spark

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM PIP5101 covers lack of power, no shifting and a blank PRNDL with P0705, and points to the park/neutral position connector and switch. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • PIP5101Status unverified

    Lacks power, will not shift, PRNDL blank, P0705

    2013spark · issued · NHTSA 10112932

    Inspect the park/neutral position connector and switch for spread terminals, bent pins, a missing or damaged seal, or moisture. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was reviewed, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P0700Transmission module requests the check engine light

    Primary / secondary Possible — needs testing

    Likely primary: P0705. On cars with a separate transmission module, a basic code reader may show only P0700, which means the module has stored its own code. P0705 can be that code, so fix P0705 and P0700 goes with it.

  • P0706Transmission range sensor signal out of range or not plausible

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    P0706 is a range or performance fault in the same sensor. Both point at the range switch and its adjustment.

  • P0707Transmission range sensor circuit signal too low

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Hyundai groups P0705, P0707 and P0708 under the same range switch bulletin.

All Transmission codes

P0705 questions

Can P0705 stop my car from starting?

Yes. The range switch only allows starting in Park or Neutral, and Hyundai and Kia bulletins list a no-start condition with this code.

Do I need a new transmission for P0705?

Usually not. Bulletins point to the range switch, its bracket or adjustment, its connector, and on the 2012–2014 Versa, a wet tail lamp.

Sources and review

  1. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  2. Toyota SB-0277-09: 2005–2009 Tacoma MIL with P0705 — Toyota Motor Sales / NHTSA ,
  3. Hyundai 09-AT-013: range switch codes P0705, P0707, P0708 — Hyundai Motor America / NHTSA ,
  4. GM PIP5101: 2013 Spark lacks power, will not shift, PRNDL blank, P0705 — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  5. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  6. Kia TSB TRA044 / TRA045R1: inhibitor switch bracket installation — Kia Motors America / NHTSA ,
  7. Hyundai 5NP-Q9G9X-12: inhibitor switch replacement, P0705 — Hyundai Motor America / NHTSA ,
  8. Nissan NTB15-082: 2012–2014 Versa hesitation and/or P0705, tail lamp water intrusion — Nissan North America / NHTSA ,
  9. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
  10. DTC P0700 — Saab 9-5 (9650) 2010 Workshop Information System — SaabWISOnline (community rehost of Saab/GM service information)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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