P0790 is the circuit fault of the normal/performance (sport or power program) selector of an automatic transmission – the older single code that preceded the mode switch codes P071A ff; the early J2012 list still called it 'circuit malfunction'. The switch is usually a button to ground or a resistor ladder; a fault is an invalid level, a permanently pressed button or an open circuit. No manufacturer document available to us describes it; GM uses P05D0–P05D3 for its drive mode selector today. The sport program is then unavailable or permanently on.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
Symptoms
- Sport or performance program unavailable or always on
- Mode indicator missing or flashing
Most likely causes
- Button faulty or sticking
- Wire or connector open or shorted
- Liquid in the console
- Control module
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: easy
What each character of P0790 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 90: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0790?
If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
What causes code P0790?
The most common causes are: button faulty or sticking; wire or connector open or shorted; liquid in the console.
Related codes
- P071ATransmission Mode Switch A Circuit
- P071DTransmission Mode Switch B Circuit
- P078FTransmission Mode Switch C Circuit
- P05D0Driver Mode Select Switch A Circuit
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.