P0953
Auto Shift Manual Control Circuit High
Automatic manual-shift control
Generic OBD-II
Low
What it means
P0953 means the auto-shift manual control circuit — the one that lets you shift gears yourself in manual or "tiptronic" mode — is reading a high voltage, usually from a wiring short-to-power or a failing switch. The engine and automatic shifting keep working, so the main effect is that manual shifting may not respond or may behave erratically until the circuit is repaired.
Low
Can I keep driving? The car starts and drives in automatic mode; you may lose manual (tiptronic) shifting, so it's fine to drive while you arrange a fix.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on
- Manual (tiptronic) mode won't work or behaves erratically
- Up/down shift paddles or gate not responding
- Normal automatic driving usually unaffected
Common causes
Most likely first
- Wiring shorted to voltage or open in the manual-control circuit (signal high)Likely
- Faulty auto shift manual control switch (paddle or gate)Common
- Charging-system overvoltage or electrical faultCommon
- Loose or corroded connectorsLess often
- Faulty transmission control module (rare)Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data and inspect the manual-shift switch wiring and connector for shorts to power or opens.
- Check charging-system voltage to rule out overvoltage.
- Test the manual control switch operation.
- Repair the wiring/connectors or replace the switch as needed.
- If the circuit and switch are good, diagnose the TCM. Clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0953?+
Yes — the transmission still works in automatic mode. You'll likely just lose manual/tiptronic shifting until the circuit is repaired.
Can I just clear P0953?+
It clears, but a high-circuit or switch fault returns until the wiring or switch is fixed.
Related codes
Often seen with P0953
Read & clear P0953 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