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.
Gear-Shift Position Sensor
The gear-shift position sensor is located inside the transmission housing. It contains a Park / Neutral position (PNP) switch and switches which inform the transmission control module (TCM) about which gear is selected and whether back-up (reverse) gear is selected so that the reversing lamps are lit. The gear-shift position sensor is a position switch which is grounded via the chassis. The combination of pins A, B, C and PA indicate the current gear selector position (see the table below). The trailing contacts can either be closed or open. The gear-shift position sensor is not available as a replacement part.
There are diagnostics for the gear-shift position sensor.
Table for the gear-shift position sensor
The value indicates the position of the gear-shift position sensor (A, B, C and PA), see the table.
• = High signal (open)
- = Low signal (grounded)
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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.