Diagnostic Instructions

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0850: Park/Neutral Position (PNP) Switch Circuit

DTC P0851: Park/Neutral Position (PNP) Switch Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0852: Park/Neutral Position (PNP) Switch Circuit High Voltage

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit	Short to Ground	Open/High Resistance	Short to Voltage	Signal Performance
Park/Neutral Signal	P0850/P0851	P0850/P0852	P0850/P0852	--

Typical Scan Tool Data

PNP Switch

Circuit	Short to Ground	Open/High Resistance	Short to Voltage
Operating Conditions: Engine running, normal operating temperature Parameter Normal Range: 12 Volts = In-Gear, 0 Volts = Park/Neutral
Park/Neutral Signal	Park/Neutral	In-Gear	In-Gear

Circuit/System Description

The transmission manual shift shaft switch assembly, also known as the Internal Mode Switch (IMS), is a sliding contact switch attached to the manual shift shaft inside the transmission case. The Park/Neutral Position (PNP) Switch is integrated into the IMS and connects to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) lead-frame through a short wire harness. The 5 inputs to the TCM from the transmission manual shift shaft switch assembly indicate the transmission gear selector lever position. This information is used for engine start enable, engine controls as well as determining the transmission shift patterns. The state of each input is available for display on the scan tool. The five input parameters represented are Signal A, Signal B, Signal C, Signal  P (Parity), and Signal N (Park/Neutral Start Signal). Park/Neutral Signal is sent from the Park/Neutral switch directly to the Engine Control Module (ECM) and is used for engine start enable. The Park/Neutral Signal circuit is not connected to the TCM internally. The circuit uses the TCM as a pass-through connector only. The ECM Park/Neutral diagnostic monitors the Park/Neutral signal circuit to detect low voltage when the ECM expects high voltage and high voltage when the ECM expects low voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0850 and P0851

P0852

The ECM detects the Park/Neutral switch signal equals 12 volts (In-Gear) when the IMS reports a Park/Neutral range for 0.2 second.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0850, P0851, and P0852 are Type C DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Electronic Component Description

Electrical Information Reference

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

DT 48616-10 Adapter Harness

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools

Circuit/System Verification

1. If there are any other transmission DTCs set, diagnose those DTCs first. Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.
2. Ignition ON, observe the scan tool ECM Park/Neutral switch parameter while moving the gear shift lever from Park and through all ranges. The parameter should display Park/Neutral when in Park or Neutral and In-Gear when in Reverse or Drive.
3. Observe the scan tool TCM IMS parameter while slowly moving the gear shift lever from Park through all ranges. Verify the gear position matches the scan tool parameter.

⇒	If not the specified value, refer to Range Selector Lever Cable Adjustment.

4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the 14-way harness connector at the transmission.
2. Install the DT 48616-10 harness to the 14-way harness connector to the engine harness.
3. Test for less than 10 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 2 and ground.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.

4. Ignition ON, test for B+ between the adapter harness terminal 3 and ground.

⇒	If not within the specified range, test the park/neutral signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

5. Ignition OFF, install the DT 48616-10 harness to the 14-way harness connector at the transmission.
6. Gear shift lever in Park, test for less than 1 ohm between the adapter harness pins 2 and 3.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, test the shaft position switch assembly. Refer to Component Testing. If the shaft position switch assembly tests normal, replace the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly.

7. Gear shift lever in D (drive), test for infinite resistance between the adapter harness pins 2 and 3.

⇒	If not the specified value, test the shaft position switch assembly, refer to Component Testing. If the switch assembly test normal, replace the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly.

8. If all circuits test normal, replace the ECM.

Component Testing

1. Remove the control valve body cover. Refer to 169595 Control Valve Body Cover Replacement.
2. Gear shift lever in park (P), disconnect the shaft position switch assembly harness connector.
3. Test for less than 1 ohm between the shaft position switch assembly harness connector pin F and pin A.

⇒	If greater than the specified range, replace the shaft position switch assembly.

4. Ignition ON, engine OFF, gear shift lever in reverse, test for infinite resistance between the shaft position switch assembly harness connector pin F and pin A.

⇒	If not the specified value, replace the shaft position switch assembly.

Repair Instructions

Note: 

•	Before replacing the TCM, perform the Control Solenoid Valve and Transmission Control Module Assembly Inspection.

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.