P0819: Up and Down Shift Switch to Transmission Range Correlation

P0819 is the plausibility check between the tap-up and tap-down switches and the range sensor: a shift request may only appear in the manual gate or in drive. If a tap switch reports in P, R or N, or taps arrive without the manual gate being detected, the correlation is broken. GM's 2019 tables and Ford's 2012 SelectShift run exactly this check but assign the fault to the switch concerned as P0815 or P0816; no manufacturer with its own P0819 is documented. Manual shifting would be disabled while automatic operation stays normal, without the MIL. Causes are a sticking tap switch, a misadjusted range sensor or selector cable, or the selector wiring.

Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive as little as possible and gently. If the transmission slips or stays in one gear, go slowly to a repair shop or call for a tow truck.

Symptoms

Tap or manual mode not working
Range display partly wrong
No check engine lamp

Most likely causes

Tap switch sticking or faulty
Range sensor or selector sensor misadjusted or faulty
Selector cable misadjusted
Selector wiring or connectors

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

Check the fluid level and condition according to the manufacturer
Compare the reading with other engine data while varying the engine speed.
Check the transmission connector
Read the data with a transmission-compatible scanner
Measure the solenoid valve circuit
Leave opening the transmission to a specialized repair shop

Good to know

Repair difficulty: medium

What each character of P0819 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
8: Transmission
19: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0819?

Drive as little as possible and gently. If the transmission slips or stays in one gear, go slowly to a repair shop or call for a tow truck.

What causes code P0819?

The most common causes are: tap switch sticking or faulty; range sensor or selector sensor misadjusted or faulty; selector cable misadjusted.

Related codes

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.