Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Transmission Range Selector Switch
The range selector switch is an input to the TCM. The input is used by the TCM to determine the position of the manual valve. The range switch uses the familiar "coded input" signal to determine selector lever position. On all transmissions except the A5S360/390R, the range switch uses a 4 wire configuration to determine 7 range selector positions. The A5S360/390R uses a five wire arrangement.
Most range switches are located on the transmission case with some exceptions. The E36 with the A4S270/310R the range switch is located is the center console on the selector lever assembly. The E39 with A4S270R the range switch is located on the transmission case and is adjustable. The range selector switch on the A5S360/390R is located inside the transmission housing. GA6HP26Z is part of the Mechatronics Module.
The range switch can be checked by using "Status Requests" in the DISplus or GT-1.
A multimeter or an oscilloscope can also be used to check the range switch. If the reading on "Status Requests" does not match the actual selector lever position, there will be various transmission malfunctions.
Use the switch logic chart to diagnose faults in the switch.
In the example below, the range switch is in neutral. Using the logic chart, switches L1, L2 and L3 are closed providing B+ voltage to the corresponding pins of the TCM. Switch L4 is open and no voltage is sent to the TCM. Malfunctions in the range switch or wiring can cause various shifting complaints and possible No-Start complaints.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.