P0929: Gear shift lock solenoid/actuator control circuit A range or performance fault

Gear shift lock solenoid circuit range/performance

Severity: Inspect soon

PartsAvatar lists being unable to shift out of park as a symptom, and Ford ties the code to gear shift module faults that can leave the shifter unable to move.

It gets more serious if:

Not verified: The shifter will not move out of park, will not stow, or moves past park. Ford TSB 25-2045 lists these, but we found no source rating the danger.

Source: how we rate severity

P0929 in short

P0929 means the gear shift lock solenoid or actuator circuit is outside its expected range or performance. Wiring, the solenoid, low voltage, the brake light switch or the gear shift module can cause it. On some Fords it is a software or module fault. Have it checked soon.

The gear shift lock solenoid keeps the shifter in park until the brake is pressed. On newer Fords a gear shift module controls the shifter. P0929 sets when that circuit does not perform as expected.

TroubleCodes.net and PartsAvatar list wiring, the solenoid, low battery voltage, the brake light switch and the control module. PartsAvatar lists the service lamp and being unable to shift out of park as symptoms.

Ford has several bulletins. On 2020-2022 Escape, Explorer and Bronco Sport the fix is a gear shift module software update. On 2021-2024 F-150 trucks a faulty module or a connector pin that pushed out can cause shifter faults.

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Gear shift module software (2020-2022 Ford Escape, Explorer, Bronco Sport)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Ford SSM 49157, 49218, 49519 and 50896 each prescribe reprogramming the module for P0929 with a wrench lamp.
What would change this
Rises on a covered Ford with several network codes and a wrench lamp.
Cause 2: Faulty gear shift module or connector pin push-out (2021-2024 F-150)
Supported by vehicle data
Why it ranks here
Ford TSB 25-2045 lists a faulty module and/or connector C211 pin push-out for shifter faults with P0929.
What would change this
Rises on a covered F-150 with shifter problems.
Cause 3: Low battery voltage or a blown fuse
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
PartsAvatar lists low voltage and says to check battery voltage and fuses.
What would change this
Rises if the battery is weak or a fuse is open.
Cause 4: Brake light switch
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
PartsAvatar lists the brake light switch, which releases the shift lock.
What would change this
Rises if the brake lights or the shift release work intermittently.
Cause 5: Wiring or connector fault
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
Both references list wiring.
What would change this
Rises if the harness is damaged or a connector is loose.
Cause 6: Failed shift lock solenoid
Common general cause
Why it ranks here
Both references list the solenoid.
What would change this
Rises if wiring and voltage test good.

What to test first

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

Step 1: Read codes from all modules with a scan tool, before anything is cleared. Note U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0919 and the code's sub-code, such as :77.
Low riskTool: scan tool
- IfP0929:77 or network codes with a wrench lamp on a 2020-2022 Ford
  It meansCheck the gear shift module bulletins.
  Points to: Gear shift module software (2020-2022 Ford Escape, Explorer, Bronco Sport)
- IfShifter faults on a 2021-2024 F-150
  It meansCheck the F-150 bulletin.
  Points to: Faulty gear shift module or connector pin push-out (2021-2024 F-150)
- IfP0929 alone
  It meansCheck battery voltage.
  Go to step 2
Step 2: Check the battery voltage and the related fuses, and check that the brake lights come on and go off properly.
Low riskTool: multimeter
- IfBattery is weak or a fuse is open
  It meansFix the power fault and retest.
  Points to: Low battery voltage or a blown fuse
- IfBrake lights stay on or work intermittently
  It meansCheck the brake light switch.
  Points to: Brake light switch
- IfPower and brake lights are normal
  It meansInspect the wiring.
  Go to step 3
Step 3: Inspect the shifter connector and harness for damage, corrosion or a pin that has backed out.
Low risk
- IfDamage or a loose pin is found
  It meansRepair it and retest.
  Points to: Wiring or connector fault
- IfWiring looks fine
  It meansA shop should test the solenoid and module.
  Go to step 4
Step 4: Have a shop test the shift lock solenoid and its command with the maker's procedure.
Best left to a shopTool: scan tool and multimeter
Warning:Shop test. It needs the maker's specifications.
- IfThe solenoid does not respond and the circuit is good
  It meansThe solenoid has failed.
  Points to: Failed shift lock solenoid
- IfSolenoid and circuit are good
  It meansAsk about module software or module replacement.
  Points to: Gear shift module software (2020-2022 Ford Escape, Explorer, Bronco Sport)

Symptoms

Service or wrench lamp
Cannot shift out of park Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
Shifter will not stow or moves past park Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

Step 1: Do not clear the code before all modules have been read.
Step 2: Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open bulletin. Ford has published several for this code.

On your vehicle

Ford

2020–2022 · Escape
Supported by vehicle data
2020 Escape with MIL and these codes plus a wrench lamp may be caused by software in the gear shift module; reprogram the GSM. 2022 Escape and Bronco Sport with a wrench indicator and P0929:77 stored in the gear shift module, from GSM software; reprogram the GSM. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2020–2021 · Explorer
Supported by vehicle data
2020 Explorer with MIL and these codes plus a wrench lamp may be caused by software in the gear shift module; reprogram the GSM. 2020-2021 Explorer built on or before 29-Oct-2020 with these transmissions and codes including P0929 and P0919: reprogram the gear shift module. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2022 · Bronco Sport
Supported by vehicle data
2022 Escape and Bronco Sport with a wrench indicator and P0929:77 stored in the gear shift module, from GSM software; reprogram the GSM. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.
2021–2024 · F-150
Supported by vehicle data
2021-2024 F-150 (supersedes TSB 21-2141): shifter will not shift out of or into park, will not stow, moves past park, wrench lamp, or P0929 codes. Possible causes include a faulty gear shift module or a connector pin that has pushed out on a circuit. Whether the bulletin is still current is not verified.

SSM 49157Status unverified
Ford SSM 49157: 2020 Escape MIL with U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0929 and P0919
2020escape · NHTSA 10180361
2020 Escape with MIL and these codes plus a wrench lamp may be caused by software in the gear shift module; reprogram the GSM.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 49218Status unverified
Ford SSM 49218: 2020 Explorer MIL with U0100, U0155, P166B, P0929 and P0919
2020explorer · NHTSA 10181904
2020 Explorer with MIL and these codes plus a wrench lamp may be caused by software in the gear shift module; reprogram the GSM.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 49519Status unverified
Ford SSM 49519: 2020-2021 Explorer 10R60/10R80-MHT, GSM software, P0929 among codes
2020–2021explorer · NHTSA 10187917
2020-2021 Explorer built on or before 29-Oct-2020 with these transmissions and codes including P0929 and P0919: reprogram the gear shift module.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
SSM 50896Status unverified
Ford SSM 50896: 2022 Escape and Bronco Sport wrench light, P0929:77
2022escape, bronco-sport · NHTSA 10214843
2022 Escape and Bronco Sport with a wrench indicator and P0929:77 stored in the gear shift module, from GSM software; reprogram the GSM.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
TSB 25-2045Status unverified
Ford TSB 25-2045: shifter faults and P0929 on F-150
2021–2024f-150 · NHTSA 11014430
2021-2024 F-150 (supersedes TSB 21-2141): shifter will not shift out of or into park, will not stow, moves past park, wrench lamp, or P0929 codes. Possible causes include a faulty gear shift module or a connector pin that has pushed out on a circuit.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

All Transmission codes

P0929 questions

Why will my shifter not leave park?

The shift lock solenoid or its circuit may not be working. Ford ties this code to a gear shift module software or hardware fault on some models.

Can I drive with P0929?

It depends on whether the car can be shifted. Have it checked soon, and note that a shifter that will not leave park will not drive.

Sources and review

OBD error code P0929: Gear Shift Lock Solenoid/Actuator Control Circuit A Range/Performance — PartsAvatar
Ford TSB 25-2045: shifter faults and P0929 on F-150 — Ford
Ford SSM 49157: 2020 Escape MIL with U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0929 and P0919 — Ford
Ford SSM 49218: 2020 Explorer MIL with U0100, U0155, P166B, P0929 and P0919 — Ford
Ford SSM 49519: 2020-2021 Explorer 10R60/10R80-MHT, GSM software, P0929 among codes — Ford
Ford SSM 50896: 2022 Escape and Bronco Sport wrench light, P0929:77 — Ford
P0929 Trouble Code: Gear shift lock solenoid circuit range/performance — TroubleCodes.net

Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
Written by: Saurabh K.
Editorial review: Pending
Technician review: Technician review pending

This page explains what a code usually means; it is not a substitute for a professional inspection. How we source and review · Report an error

Severity: Inspect soon

Most likely causes

Cause 1: Gear shift module software (2020-2022 Ford Escape, Explorer, Bronco Sport)

Cause 2: Faulty gear shift module or connector pin push-out (2021-2024 F-150)

Cause 3: Low battery voltage or a blown fuse

Cause 4: Brake light switch

Cause 5: Wiring or connector fault

Cause 6: Failed shift lock solenoid

What to test first

Step 1: Read codes from all modules with a scan tool, before anything is cleared. Note U0100, U0401, P166B, P1753, P0919 and the code's sub-code, such as :77.

Step 2: Check the battery voltage and the related fuses, and check that the brake lights come on and go off properly.

Step 3: Inspect the shifter connector and harness for damage, corrosion or a pin that has backed out.

Step 4: Have a shop test the shift lock solenoid and its command with the maker's procedure.