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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 2008 🢒 SLS 🢒 Diagnostic Navigation 🢒 Vehicle Diagnostic Information 🢒 DTC P0851 or P0852

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

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

P0851

P0852

P0852

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Scan Tool Parameter Data

PNP Switch - ECM

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine running, normal operating temperature

Parameter Normal Range: In Gear 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 5 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 to see High voltage and High voltage when the ECM expects to see Low voltage.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0851

    • Ignition voltage is between 9-18 volts.
    • No TCM DTCs P0601, P0602, P0603, or P0604 are set.
    • No IMS DTCs P1825 or P1915 are set.
    • No Communication DTCs U0001, U0100, U0101, U2105, or U2106 are set.

P0852

    • No TP DTCs P0121, P0122, P0123 are set.
    • No OSS DTCs P0722 or P0723 are set.
    • No MAF DTCs P0101, P0102, or P0103 are set.
    • No MAP DTCs P0106, P0107, or P0108 are set.
    • Engine Speed is greater than 400 RPM.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0851

    • The ECM detects the Park/Neutral switch signal equals 0 volts (Low) when the IMS reports a Drive range for 3 seconds.
    • TP is equal to or greater than 10 percent.
    • Engine torque is greater than or equal to 75 N·m (55 lb ft).
    • Vehicle speed is greater than or equal to 10 km/h (6 mph).

P0852

The ECM detects the Park/Neutral switch signal equals to 12 volts (High) when the IMS reports a Park/Neutral range for 3 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • DTC P0851 and P0852 are Type C DTCs.
    • The ECM uses IMS Range for engine start-up.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P0851 and P0852 are Type C DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

It is possible for this DTC to set due to a stack-up or misalignment issue between the IMS and the P/N Switch, where no electrical fault is present. Ensure the gear shift selector cable is properly adjusted and there are no service bulletins that address this concern before replacing parts.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

    •  Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics for the 6L80E transmission
    •  Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics for the 5L40E transmission
    •  Engine Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

    •  Automatic Transmission Inline 16-Way Connector End View
    •  Automatic Transmission Internal Connector End Views for the 6L80E transmission
    •  Automatic Transmission Internal Connector End Views for the 5L40E transmission
    •  Automatic Transmission Related Connector End Views for the 6L80E transmission
    •  Automatic Transmission Related Connector End Views for the 5L40E transmission
    •  Engine Control Module Connector End Views

DTC Type Reference

    •  Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions
    •  Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Types

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Circuit/System Verification

If there are any other engine or transmission related DTCs set, diagnose those DTCs first. With a scan tool observe the Park/Neutral switch parameter in Engine Controls data list and move the gear shift lever from Park, to Reverse and through all the ranges and observe the parameter as you move the shift lever. The parameter should display Park/Neutral when in Park or Neutral and In-Gear when in Reverse, Drive or Drive Low. It is especially important to closely observe the Park and Neutral to Drive transitional positions while moving the shift lever and observing for possible misalignment or slack in the shifter mechanism.

Circuit/System Testing
  1. Ignition OFF, transmission in Park or Neutral, disconnect the transmission 16-way connector.
  2. Test for less than 1 ohm between the Park/Neutral signal circuit terminal 3 on the transmission side and the ground circuit terminal 5.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit inside the transmission for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the IMS.
  3. Ignition On, verify the scan tool parameter Park/Neutral displays In-gear.
    4. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.
  4. Install a fused jumper between the signal circuit and ground. Verify the scan tool parameter Park/Neutral displays Park/Neutral.
    5. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the ECM.

Component Testing
  1. Turn the ignition OFF, transmission in Park or Neutral, disconnect the transmission 16-way connector and the IMS from the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly.
  2. Test for infinite resistance between the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly 16-way connector pin 3 and the IMS connector pin on the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly side with the switch in the Open position.
    3. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the control solenoid (w/body and TCM) valve assembly.
  3. Test for infinite resistance between the IMS connector pin F and the IMS case ground with the switch in the Open position.
    4. ⇒If not the specified value, replace the IMS.
  4. Perform the Control Solenoid Valve and Transmission Control Module Assembly Inspection.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

  1. ECM replacement. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.
  2. IMS replacement. Refer to Manual Shaft Shift Position Switch Replacement .
  3. Control Solenoid (w/Body and TCM) Valve Assembly Replacement. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.