P0708 — Transmission Range Sensor Circuit High
Moderate severityWhat it means
P0708 is stored when the engine control unit sees a fault involving the transmission range (gear selector) sensor circuit. The transmission range sensor tells the control unit which gear position is selected (P/R/N/D); a fault can confuse shift logic and starting. A “high” reading means the signal is pinned near the top of its range — often an open circuit, a lost ground, or a short to voltage.
Common symptoms
- The live reading sits abnormally high or maxed out
- No-start in Park or Neutral
- Wrong gear shown on the display
- Harsh or incorrect shifts
Likely causes
- Open signal or ground wire
- Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply
- Faulty or misadjusted range sensor
- Wiring or connector fault at the transmission
What to check first
- Check for an open circuit or missing ground at the sensor connector
- Compare the gear shown in live data with the actual selector position
- Inspect and, if applicable, adjust the range sensor
Can you keep driving?
May cause no-start or wrong-gear starts (a safety risk); have it checked before relying on the car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of P0708?
The most likely cause is: Open signal or ground wire. Several other faults can set P0708 as well, so confirm the real cause with live data and the checks above before replacing any parts.
Can I just clear P0708 and keep driving?
Clearing P0708 with an OBD2 scanner turns the warning light off, but if the underlying fault has not been repaired the code will usually come back within a few drive cycles. Fix the cause first, then clear the code to confirm the repair worked.
How serious is P0708?
P0708 is a moderate-severity code. The car is often still drivable, but have it diagnosed soon — the underlying problem can get worse and it may fail an emissions test.
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