P0917

Gear Shift Position Circuit High

P0917 is a generic OBD-II powertrain diagnostic trouble code: Gear Shift Position Circuit High. It is logged by the engine control unit when the trans monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.

Code
P0917
Group
Powertrain
System
Trans
Severity
Critical (limp mode / no-start)
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What P0917 means

P0917 is stored when the transmission control module reads a signal on the gear shift position sensor circuit that is above the highest value the sensor should ever produce. The gear shift position sensor reports the fore and aft travel of the shift mechanism within the selected gate, which is the movement that engages a gear. On the automated manual and dual-clutch gearboxes this code group was written for, that travel selects between the odd and even gear of a gate.

The "high" designation is a specific electrical diagnosis. It means the signal voltage has been pulled up towards the supply and stayed there, which usually points to a short between the signal wire and a power feed, a break in the sensor's ground or return path, or a sensor that has failed with its output stuck at the top of the range. Since the top of the range is not a position the mechanism can genuinely occupy, the module treats the reading as invalid rather than acting on it.

With no trustworthy gear position the module cannot confirm that a commanded shift finished, so it adopts a protective strategy. That commonly means locking the gearbox into a single gear, refusing to engage drive, or preventing the engine from starting because Park or Neutral cannot be verified. Related shift actuator or gate select codes often appear at the same time when the root cause is a damaged harness.

Common causes

Most-frequently reported root causes when P0917 is logged.

  • 1
    Gear shift position sensor signal wire shorted to a power feed or to another circuit carrying voltage.
  • 2
    Open or high-resistance ground or return path for the sensor, letting the signal float high.
  • 3
    Failed gear shift position sensor with its output stuck at the top of its range.
  • 4
    Corroded or fluid-contaminated connector bridging the signal terminal to an adjacent powered pin.
  • 5
    Chafed or melted harness insulation where the loom touches the gearbox casing, bracketry or exhaust heat.
  • 6
    Water ingress into the transmission connector after off-road use, flooding or a poorly sealed plug.
  • 7
    Damage from previous repair work, such as a pinched loom or a mis-pinned connector.
  • 8
    Faulty transmission control module, or a module not relearned after a shift mechanism repair.

Symptoms drivers notice

Transmission warning light and check engine light on, usually with a gearbox fault message.
Gearbox stuck in one gear or refusing to engage a gear at all.
Harsh, delayed or incomplete shifts before the gearbox enters fail-safe.
Gear indicator on the dash missing or disagreeing with the selected gear.
Engine will not crank because the module cannot confirm Park or Neutral.
Loss of drive, sometimes leaving the vehicle immobile.

How to diagnose P0917

A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.

  1. 1
    Read all stored codes and freeze-frame data, and note any gate select, shift actuator or clutch codes stored alongside, since a shared harness fault often sets several.
  2. 2
    Check transmission fluid level and condition, as low or degraded fluid causes shift-position complaints and fluid in a connector can bridge terminals.
  3. 3
    Inspect the sensor connector and the main transmission plug for corrosion, moisture, fluid, bent or pushed-back pins, then clean and reseat them properly.
  4. 4
    Inspect the harness along its full run for chafing, melted insulation and crush damage, especially near the case, brackets and any exhaust heat source.
  5. 5
    Monitor the gear shift position signal in live data to see whether it is pinned at the top of its range constantly or only under certain conditions.
  6. 6
    With the module disconnected, check the signal wire for a short to voltage and verify the sensor's ground and return path for continuity and excessive resistance, wiggle-testing to catch intermittents.
  7. 7
    Only once the wiring is proven good, follow the manufacturer's pinpoint test to evaluate the sensor, then perform any required shift-position relearn before clearing the code and road testing.

Related powertrain codes

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with P0917?

No. The module has no reliable idea which gear is engaged, so it will restrict or block shifting and the car can lose drive without warning. Limit movement to getting the vehicle somewhere safe, and have it diagnosed before further use.

What is the difference between P0917 and P0916?

They are opposite ends of the same electrical check. P0917 means the signal has climbed above its valid range, typically a short to a power feed or a lost ground, while P0916 means it has fallen below the valid range, typically a short to ground or an open supply.

Will this fail an emissions test?

Yes, wherever the inspection includes an OBD scan. The malfunction indicator lamp is on with a stored powertrain code, and that alone fails the test even though the fault has no direct effect on tailpipe emissions.

Is this expensive to fix?

Repairing a shorted wire or cleaning a corroded connector is inexpensive, and a standalone position sensor is a moderate cost. It gets expensive when the sensor is integrated into a mechatronic or shift actuator unit, or when the transmission control module itself has to be replaced and programmed.

Disabling P0917 in software

RaceTune can permanently disable P0917 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.

Permanent
The monitor is disabled in the ECU itself — not just cleared. It cannot return.
Tailored to your file
Each patch is matched to your specific software version — never a one-size-fits-all file.
Reversible
The original file is always preserved. Reflash the stock to return the ECU to factory state.

ECU families we can disable P0917 on

We hold the DaVinci A2L disable definitions for these families, so the exact P0917 path and mask addresses are mapped. verified marks a confirmed disable definition. We support many more — upload your file and our identifier will match it automatically.

  • Bosch EDC17C66 verified
  • Bosch EDC17CP57 verified

Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.

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