Set when the gear shift position signal on circuit A of an automated manual gearbox stays above its highest valid value for longer than a calibrated time. The signal line may be shorted to the sensor supply or to battery voltage, the sensor ground may be open, or the sensor itself may be faulty. No manufacturer documents this code publicly. The Aisin AI and Nissan/Aichi patents show the shift stroke or shift position sensor as the feedback that confirms an engaged gear; with a reading above the valid band the controller can no longer tell neutral from an engaged gear. CARB requires out-of-range checks on such inputs. P0916 is the opposite low fault, P091D and P095D are the high faults of circuits B and C, P0919 a shift movement that misses its target. Shifting is usually locked.
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
- Gearbox stays in one gear or in neutral
- Warning message about the transmission on the dashboard
Most likely causes
- Signal wire shorted to sensor supply or battery voltage
- Open sensor ground or corroded ground pin
- Internal fault 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 P0917 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 9: Transmission
- 17: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0917?
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 P0917?
The most common causes are: signal wire shorted to sensor supply or battery voltage; open sensor ground or corroded ground pin; internal fault of the shift position sensor.
Related codes
- P0914Gear Shift Position Circuit A
- P0915Gear Shift Position Circuit A Range/Performance
- P0916Gear Shift Position Circuit A Low
- P0918Gear Shift Position Circuit A Intermittent
- P0919Gear Shift Position Control Error
- P091DGear Shift Position Circuit B High
- P095DGear Shift Position Circuit C High
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.