P1705
Universal (All Makes) Vehicle (OBD-II)
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
P1705 is a transmission range sensor (TR sensor) circuit malfunction code. It is commonly seen on Nissan, Infiniti, Toyota, and some Ford vehicles. The TR sensor tells the PCM and TCM what gear the driver has selected — Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, etc. When the sensor signal is out of range or invalid, P1705 is stored. Symptoms include harsh shifting, wrong gear indicator reading, or the vehicle not starting in Park or Neutral.
Affected Models
- Common in Nissan Altima, Sentra, and Quest
- Common in Nissan Murano and Pathfinder with CVT
- Common in Toyota Camry, Avalon, and Sienna
- Seen in Ford F-150 and Explorer with certain transmission configurations
Common Causes
- Faulty transmission range sensor (also called the neutral safety switch or inhibitor switch)
- Damaged wiring or connector at the transmission range sensor
- Transmission fluid contamination affecting the internal range switch
- Misadjusted shift linkage causing the sensor to read the wrong position
- Internal TCM fault misinterpreting the sensor signal
How to Fix It
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Check the gear indicator display on your dashboard. If it shows the wrong gear or no gear, the TR sensor is likely at fault.
A TR sensor failure often shows up as the gear indicator displaying dashes or skipping positions.
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Inspect the wiring connector at the transmission range sensor for corrosion, bent pins, or loose fit.
The connector is located on the side of the transmission near the gear selector linkage.
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Check the shift linkage adjustment. The selector lever should align precisely with the detents in Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive.
A stretched or mis-routed shift cable can cause the TR sensor to read an incorrect position.
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Test the TR sensor with a multimeter. Each gear position should produce a specific resistance or voltage — compare to factory specs.
Factory service manual resistance values are needed for accurate testing.
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Replace the transmission range sensor if testing confirms it is out of specification.
On many Nissan and Toyota models, the TR sensor is externally mounted and straightforward to replace.
When to Call a Professional
Transmission range sensor replacement is $50 to $150 in parts. Labor is typically 1 to 2 hours at $80 to $150 per hour. Shift linkage adjustment is usually a minor labor charge. Always verify the shift linkage adjustment before replacing the sensor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will P1705 prevent my car from starting?
It can, yes. The transmission range sensor is also the neutral safety switch. If the PCM cannot confirm the vehicle is in Park or Neutral, it may disable the starter as a safety measure. Try moving the shifter slightly while in Park, or try starting in Neutral.
Can I adjust the TR sensor myself?
On many vehicles the TR sensor is adjustable by loosening the mounting bolts and rotating the sensor until it aligns correctly. However, this requires patience and ideally a factory service manual. If you are not comfortable with this, a shop can do it in under an hour.
Does P1705 affect transmission shifting?
Yes. The TCM uses the TR sensor signal to determine shift points and which gear ranges are permitted. A faulty TR sensor can cause harsh, delayed, or incorrect shifting, and may prevent certain gears from being selected.