P0706 Transmission range sensor signal out of range or not plausible

Transmission range sensor range/performance

P0706 in short

P0706 means the transmission range sensor, which reports the gear lever position, is sending a signal the computer finds implausible for the conditions. Causes in bulletins include the switch itself, pinched wiring, and software. Have it inspected soon, especially if the engine sometimes will not crank.

The transmission range sensor tells the computers which position the gear lever is in. P0706 sets when the signal is present but does not fit, for example it shows a position that does not match what the transmission is doing, or it changes when it should not.

Honda linked the code to an engine that may not crank on 2004–2005 Civics and CR-Vs, and Mazda found a pinched speed sensor wire or a shorting range sensor on the 2009 Tribute. GM issued a bulletin for 2001–2005 Silverados and Sierras.

Some newer cases are software or module faults rather than the switch. Mitsubishi updates transmission and shift-by-wire software on 2022–2023 Outlanders, and Audi found a reaction between the transmission computer and the fluid, and requires a fluid flush before the computer is replaced.

Most likely causes

  1. Range sensor shorting or out of adjustment

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Mazda names an intermittently shorted range sensor, and Honda and GM issued bulletins for P0706 on specific models.
    What would change this
    Rises if the engine sometimes will not crank in Park or Neutral.

  2. Pinched speed sensor wire inside the transmission (2009 Tribute)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Mazda found the output shaft speed sensor wire pinched between the main control and the case, which can set P0706 or P0707.
    What would change this
    Rises on a 2009 Tribute.

  3. Transmission or shift-by-wire software (2022–2023 Outlander)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Mitsubishi updates the transmission and shift-by-wire software when P0780 or P0706 sets.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered Outlander, especially with P0780.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  4. Transmission computer reacting with the fluid (2012–2013 Audi)

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Audi found a reaction between the transmission computer and the fluid within a VIN range, with a gearbox warning and P0706.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered A6, A4 allroad or A5 Cabriolet.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

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 P0706 bulletins for your VIN at a dealer or on the NHTSA site.

    Low risk

Symptoms

  • Check engine light or gearbox warning message
  • Engine may not crank
  • Gear display on the dash shows the wrong position
  • Transmission stuck in one gear or reduced power (limp-home mode) Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

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 P0706 bulletin. Honda, GM, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Audi have issued them.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):On some 2022–2023 Outlanders the fix is a software update. On covered 2012–2013 Audis, the fluid must be flushed before a new transmission computer goes in, or the problem can return.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Honda

  • 2004–2005 · CR-V

    Supported by vehicle data

    Honda 05-058 covers the MIL with P0706 or P1706 and an engine that may not crank. The 2004–2005 Civic is also covered. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 05-058Status unverified

    MIL with P0706 or P1706, engine may not crank

    2004–2005civic, cr-v · issued · NHTSA 10017771

    Covers the MIL with P0706 or P1706 and an engine that may not crank. 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

  • 2001–2005 · Silverado

    Supported by vehicle data

    GM 3357 covers the MIL with P0706. The GMC Sierra is also covered. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 3357Status unverified

    MIL on with P0706

    2001–2005silverado · issued · NHTSA 10014865

    Covers the MIL with P0706. GMC Sierra is also listed. 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.

Mazda

  • 2009 · Tribute

    Supported by vehicle data

    Mazda SB-05-006-09 links no-crank and P0706 or P0707 to a pinched speed sensor wire or a shorting range sensor. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • SB-05-006-09Status unverified

    No crank and/or P0706, P0707 or P1702

    2009tribute · issued · NHTSA 10030348

    May be caused by the output shaft speed sensor wire pinched between the main control and the case, or an intermittently shorted range sensor. 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.

Mitsubishi

  • 2022–2023 · Outlander

    Supported by vehicle data

    Mitsubishi TSB-23-23-002 updates transmission and shift-by-wire software for P0780 or P0706. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • TSB-23-23-002Status unverified

    TCM and shift-by-wire software update for P0780/P0706

    2022–2023outlander · issued · NHTSA 10234022

    Software update for the transmission computer and shift-by-wire control unit when P0780 or P0706 is detected. 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.

Audi

  • 2012–2013 · A6

    Supported by vehicle data

    Audi bulletin 2034863 covers a gearbox warning with P0706 caused by a reaction between the transmission computer and the fluid, and requires a fluid flush before the computer is replaced. The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 37 13 18 (2034863)Status unverified

    Gearbox warning with P0706

    2012–2013a6, a4-allroad, a5-cabriolet · issued · NHTSA 10121307

    A reaction between the transmission computer and the fluid in a VIN range can store P0706 with a gearbox warning. Supersedes bulletin 37 13-10. 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: P0706. On cars with a separate transmission module, a basic code reader may show only P0700, which means the module has stored its own code. P0706 can be that code, so fix P0706 and P0700 goes with it.

  • P0705Fault in the transmission range sensor circuit (gear selector position input)

    Same system Possible — needs testing

    P0705 is a circuit fault in the same range sensor.

  • P0707Transmission range sensor circuit signal too low

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Mazda lists P0706 and P0707 under the same bulletin for a pinched wire or a shorting range sensor.

  • P0780Transmission did not complete a shift the way the computer expected

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Mitsubishi fixes P0780 and P0706 with the same software update on 2022–2023 Outlanders.

All Transmission codes

P0706 questions

What is the difference between P0705 and P0706?

P0705 points to the range sensor circuit itself, such as a missing or broken signal. P0706 means a signal is there but does not make sense for the conditions.

Sources and review

  1. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  2. Honda 05-058: MIL with P0706 or P1706, engine may not crank — American Honda / NHTSA ,
  3. Mazda SB-05-006-09: 2009 Tribute no crank and/or P0706, P0707, P1702 — Mazda North American Operations / NHTSA ,
  4. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  5. GM 3357: MIL on with P0706 — General Motors / NHTSA ,
  6. Mitsubishi TSB-23-23-002: TCM/SCU software update for P0780/P0706 — Mitsubishi Motors North America / NHTSA ,
  7. Audi 37 13 18 (2034863): gearbox warning with P0706, flush ATF before replacing the TCM — Audi of America / NHTSA ,
  8. DTC P0700 — Saab 9-5 (9650) 2010 Workshop Information System — SaabWISOnline (community rehost of Saab/GM service information)
  9. On-Board Diagnostic Trouble Codes (generic code title list) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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