Set when the gear shift position signal on circuit A of an automated manual gearbox stays below its lowest valid value for longer than a calibrated time. A short to ground on the signal line, a lost sensor supply or an internal sensor defect are the usual causes; depending on the sensor design a broken signal wire reads low as well. No manufacturer documents this code publicly. In the patents of Aisin AI and Nissan/Aichi the shift stroke or shift position sensor is the only feedback telling the controller whether a gear is engaged, so a missing signal stops automatic shifting. CARB requires out-of-range checks on such inputs. P0917 is the matching high fault, P091C and P095C are the low faults of circuits B and C. The gearbox typically locks gear changes or drops to neutral.
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
- Check engine or transmission warning light on
- No gear changes possible or gearbox stays in neutral
- Engine may not start because neutral cannot be confirmed
Most likely causes
- Signal wire chafed through and shorted to ground
- Sensor reference supply interrupted or shorted
- Internal defect of the shift position sensor
- Faulty input stage in the transmission control module
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0916 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 9: Transmission
- 16: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0916?
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 P0916?
The most common causes are: signal wire chafed through and shorted to ground; sensor reference supply interrupted or shorted; internal defect of the shift position sensor.
Related codes
- P0914Gear Shift Position Circuit A
- P0915Gear Shift Position Circuit A Range/Performance
- P0917Gear Shift Position Circuit A High
- P0918Gear Shift Position Circuit A Intermittent
- P091CGear Shift Position Circuit B Low
- P095CGear Shift Position Circuit C Low
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.