P0917
Gear Shift Position Circuit A High
Transmission / shift control
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P0917 means the transmission controller reads an abnormally high voltage on the gear shift position sensor circuit "A", so it can't reliably tell which gear is selected. The engine starts and runs, but shifts may be delayed or harsh and the transmission can enter a fail-safe mode until the sensor or its wiring is repaired.
Medium
Can I keep driving? The engine runs, but the transmission may shift poorly or drop into limp mode without a valid gear-position signal — have it checked soon.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Delayed, harsh, or missing shifts
- Transmission stuck in a fail-safe gear
- Wrong gear shown on the shift indicator
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty gear shift position sensorLikely
- Open or short-to-power in the sensor wiringCommon
- Loose or corroded connector at the sensorCommon
- Failed transmission control module (rare — check wiring first)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and note the conditions when the code sets.
- Inspect the gear shift position sensor connector and wiring for opens, shorts-to-power, or corrosion.
- Watch the sensor's signal on a scan tool through the shift range to confirm it stays high.
- Repair wiring/connector faults, then replace the position sensor if the signal is still wrong. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0917?+
Short-term yes, but without a valid gear-position signal the transmission may shift harshly or limp. Get it diagnosed before longer trips.
Can I just clear P0917?+
It returns until the sensor or wiring is repaired. Clearing only resets the light temporarily.
Related codes
Often seen with P0917
Read & clear P0917 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