P0929
Gear Shift Lock Solenoid/Actuator Control Circuit A Range/Performance
Transmission / shift interlock
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
P0929 means the control circuit for the gear shift lock solenoid — the interlock that keeps the lever in Park until you press the brake — is performing outside its expected range. The engine still starts and runs, but the interlock may not release (trapping the lever in Park) or may fail to hold, so it's worth fixing before it leaves you stuck.
Medium
Can I keep driving? The engine runs and the car drives, but you may not be able to shift out of Park (or the interlock may not hold), which can strand you.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Can't move the shift lever out of Park (even with the brake pressed)
- Shift-lock feels unresponsive or intermittent
- Warning about the shift interlock on some vehicles
Common causes
Most likely first
- Faulty gear shift lock solenoid/actuatorLikely
- Open or short in the solenoid control circuitCommon
- Poor electrical connections or corrosion at the connectorCommon
- Malfunctioning shift-lock control moduleLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and inspect the shift-lock solenoid connector for corrosion or loose pins.
- Test the solenoid's resistance and check for battery voltage and ground on the control circuit.
- Check the wiring for opens and shorts; repair as needed.
- Replace the shift lock solenoid/actuator if it's out of spec.
- Clear the code and confirm the interlock releases correctly with the brake applied.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0929?+
Driving itself is fine, but a faulty shift interlock can trap the lever in Park or fail to hold it, so fix it before it strands you. Your car's shift-lock override slot can release Park in a pinch.
Can I just clear P0929?+
It returns until the solenoid or its wiring is repaired, because the control circuit is still out of range.
Related codes
Often seen with P0929
Read & clear P0929 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