Definition of Code P0917
Fault code P0917 detects an electrical malfunction in the gear shift position circuit.
What Does Code P0917 Mean
Code P0917 is a generic OBD-II fault code that indicates an electrical error in the transmission’s gear shift position circuit. The gear shift position circuit detects when the vehicle is in forward or reverse (in an automatic transmission), or in an even or odd gear (in a manual transmission). When the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detects an electrical anomaly in the gear shift position circuit, the P0917 fault code is triggered.
What Causes Code P0917?
Fault code P0917 is typically caused by damaged or defective electrical components in the gear shift position system. This can include short-circuited wires, corroded connectors, or blown fuses. Other potential causes of the code are a short to the positive battery and a faulty PCM.
What Are the Symptoms of Code P0917?
Code P0917 will usually be accompanied by the check engine light soon illuminating on the vehicle’s gauge cluster. There will likely be noticeable transmission issues, which can be as mild as rough shifting or as severe as a complete inability to change gears. The vehicle will probably also experience decreased fuel consumption.
How Does a Mechanic Diagnose Code P0917?
Code P0917 will be diagnosed using a standard OBD-II fault code scanner. A qualified technician will use the scanner to view the freeze frame data of the code and to check for any additional detected codes. If multiple codes are detected, they will need to be addressed in the order the scanner displays them. Then, the mechanic will need to reset the fault codes, restart the vehicle, and check if the P0917 code is still detected. If not, it was likely triggered by mistake or due to an intermittent error.
If the code persists, the mechanic will start by visually inspecting the electrical components of the gear shift position system. Any damaged wires, connectors, or fuses will need to be replaced. The mechanic can then check for a short to the positive battery. If the issue is not found, a more in-depth inspection of the gear shift position system (especially the sensors) and the PCM will be necessary.
After replacing a component, the inspection should be paused while the mechanic resets the fault codes, restarts the vehicle, and checks again to see if the code is detected. This will let the technician know as soon as the problem is resolved.
Common Mistakes When Diagnosing Code P0917
The most frequent mistake made when diagnosing code P0917 comes from not following the OBD-II diagnostic protocol. It is imperative that mechanics always follow the step-by-step protocol, as this ensures that diagnostics and repairs are effective and thorough.
It is fairly common to mistakenly replace the entire gear shift position system when the only fault was a defective electrical component.
How Severe Is Code P0917?
A vehicle with the P0917 fault code may or may not be drivable. In some cases, the car will drive normally or experience rough shifting, while in other cases, shifting will be impossible, preventing the car from moving at all. Even if the car feels like it’s driving fine, code P0917 can damage the transmission, so the vehicle should always be inspected and repaired as soon as the code is detected.
What Repairs Can Fix Code P0917?
Repairs for fault code P0917 are:
- Replacement of the system’s electrical components
- Replacement of the circuit
- In rare cases, replacement of the PCM