P0916
Gear Shift Position Circuit A Low
Transmission
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P0916 means the gear shift position sensor 'A' is reading an abnormally low voltage, so the transmission control module can't reliably tell which gear is selected. The engine still starts, but shifts may be erratic or land in the wrong gear. It usually points to a faulty position sensor, a wiring or connector fault, or a poor ground.
Medium
Can I keep driving? The engine starts, but the transmission may select the wrong gear or shift erratically; drive cautiously and have it checked soon.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Erratic shifting or incorrect gear selection
- Harsh or delayed shifts
- Transmission won't engage certain gears
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty gear shift position sensorLikely
- Damaged or corroded wiring/connector in the circuitCommon
- Poor ground or reference voltage to the sensorCommon
- Faulty transmission control module (TCM)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Inspect the gear shift position sensor connector and terminals for corrosion or damage.
- Check the signal wiring for a short-to-ground or open causing the low reading.
- Verify the sensor's ground and reference voltage are correct.
- Compare the sensor's live signal to spec across gear positions; replace if out of range.
- Replace the TCM only after wiring and sensor causes are ruled out. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0916?+
If the transmission still shifts, drive gently, but wrong or missed gears can be unsafe, so get it diagnosed soon.
Can I just clear P0916?+
It returns until the sensor, wiring, or connector fault is repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P0916
Read & clear P0916 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX