Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Transmission Position Sensor (Switch)
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Common symptoms include that the vehicle will not start or move, the transmission shifts into a different gear from the selected one, and the vehicle goes into limp home mode.
The transmission position sensor, also known as the transmission range sensor, is an electronic sensor that provides position input to the powertrain control module (PCM) so that the transmission can be correctly controlled by the PCM according to the position given by the sensor.
Over time, the transmission range sensor may begin to fail or wear out. If the transmission range sensor fails or malfunctions, a number of symptoms may appear.
1. Car won't start or can't move
Without proper park/neutral position input from the transmission range sensor, the PCM will not be able to crank the engine to start. This will leave your car in a situation where it cannot be started. Also, if the transmission range sensor has completely failed, the PCM will not see the shift command input at all. This means that your car will not be able to move at all.
2. Transmission shifts into a gear other than the selected one.
There could potentially be a mismatch between the gear selector lever and the sensor input. This will result in the transmission being in a different gear (controlled by the PCM) than the one the driver has selected with the shift lever. This can lead to unsafe vehicle operation and possibly a traffic hazard.
3. The car goes into emergency mode
On some vehicles, if the transmission range sensor fails, the transmission may still be mechanically engaged, but the PCM will not know which gear it is. For safety reasons, the transmission will be hydraulically and mechanically locked in one particular gear, which is known as emergency mode. Depending on the manufacturer and the specific transmission, emergency mode can be 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, as well as reverse.
Any of these symptoms warrant a visit to the store. However, instead of taking your car to a mechanic, AvtoTachki specialists come to you. They can diagnose if your transmission range sensor is faulty and replace it if necessary. If it turns out to be anything else, they will let you know and diagnose the problem with your car so it can be repaired at your convenience.
