Test D: Transmission Range Sensor

NOTE: Actuator portion of a digital TR sensor is Tan in color and located behind manual shaft lever.

Verify Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Place gearshift lever in "P" position. Check for DTCs. If only DTCs P0705 and P0708 are present, go to step 4 . If other DTCs are present as well as P0705 and P0708, go to next step.

Verify Digital TR Sensor Alignment

Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Ensure gearshift lever is in "P" position. Disconnect TR sensor harness connector. Inspect TR sensor and harness connector terminals. Repair as needed. Apply parking brake. Place gearshift lever in "N" position. Disconnect gearshift lever cable from transaxle manual lever. Ensure TR sensor is correctly adjusted. See TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in FORD AX4N OVERHAUL article. If TR sensor requires adjustment, adjust TR sensor and clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If TR sensor is adjusted correctly, go to next step.

Verify Gearshift Lever Cable Adjustment

Place transaxle manual lever in overdrive. Place gearshift lever in "D" position. Reconnect gearshift lever cable. Check gearshift lever cable adjustment. See appropriate AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERVICING article in TRANSMISSION SERVICING. Adjust gearshift lever cable as needed. Go to next step.

Check Electrical Signal Operation

Place gearshift lever in "P" position. Press button and pull out on TR sensor harness connector. Inspect TR sensor harness connector terminals. Repair as needed. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If directed here by a DTC and connector is okay, go to next step. If connector is okay, but a starting or back-up light concern exists, go to step 10 .

Check Electrical System Operation (TR Sensor & PCM)

Connect NGS tester or equivalent to DLC. Ensure TR sensor harness connector is connected. Turn ignition switch to ON position. Using scan tool, select TR PIDs TR and TR_D for DTC P0705, P1704 and P1705. Select TR PIDs TR and TR_V for DTC P0708. Move gearshift lever through all positions while monitoring scan tool. Move gearshift lever again while wiggling harness and lightly tapping on TR sensor. Compare PIDs listed in TR SENSOR PID DATA table. See Fig 1 . If PID data on scan tool matches table, concern may be intermittent. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. If PID data does not match table, go to next step.

Fig 1: TR Sensor PID Data Table
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Check Digital TR Sensor Operation

Disconnect TR sensor connector. Install digital TR sensor overlay on transmission tester. Connect transmission tester to TR sensor. Perform Sensor Test. Follow transmission tester instructions. If transmission tester status light matches selected gear position, concern is not in TR sensor. Go to next step. If transmission tester status light does not match selected gear position, replace digital TR sensor. Adjust NEW TR sensor. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

Check PCM Harness For Open Circuits

Turn ignition switch to OFF position. Disconnect transmission tester from TR sensor connector. Disconnect PCM 104-pin connector, and inspect it for damaged terminals, corrosion and loose wires. Repair as necessary. Install breakout box, leaving PCM disconnected. Measure and record resistance between specified breakout box test pin and TR sensor harness connector terminal. See PCM-TO-TR SENSOR HARNESS OPEN CIRCUIT TEST table. If each resistance reading is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If any resistance reading is 5 ohms or more, repair open circuit. Remove breakout box and connect all components. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

PCM-TO-TR SENSOR HARNESS OPEN CIRCUIT TEST

Breakout Box Test Pin No. (Circuit)

TR Sensor Connector Terminal No.

91 (Signal Return)

(TR1) ⁽¹⁾

49 (TR2)

50 (TR3)

64 (TR4)

⁽¹⁾	Use test pin No. 3 on Sable and Taurus (2V). Use test pin No. 34 on Continental, Sable and Taurus (4V).

Check PCM Harness Circuits For Short To Ground Or Power

Measure and record resistance between specified breakout box test pins. See PCM HARNESS SHORT CIRCUIT TEST table. If each resistance reading is more than 10 k/ohms, go to next step. If any resistance reading is 10 k/ohms or less, repair short circuit. Remove breakout box and connect all components. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

PCM HARNESS SHORT CIRCUIT TEST ⁽¹⁾

Breakout Box TR Sensor Pin No.

Breakout Box Test Pins No.

Continental, Sable & Taurus (4V)

⁽²⁾ 71 & 97

34, 49, 50 & 64

3, 25, 51, 71, 77, 91, 97, 103 & Ground

Sable & Taurus (2V)

3, 49, 54 & 64

24, 25, 51, 71, 76, 77, 91, 103 & Ground

⁽¹⁾	Measure between breakout box test pins.

⁽²⁾	Continental only.

Check For Short Between TR Sensor & PCM Input Signal Circuits

Measure and record resistance between breakout box test pin No. 3 (Sable and Taurus 2V) or 34 (Continental, Sable and Taurus 4V) and test pins No. 49, 50 and 64. Measure and record resistance between breakout box test pin No. 50 and test pins No. 3 or 34, 49 and 64. Measure and record resistance between breakout box test pin No. 64 and test pins No. 3 or 34, 49 and 50. If each resistance reading is more than 10 k/ohms, replace PCM. If any resistance reading is 10 k/ohms or less, repair short circuit. Remove breakout box and connect all components. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.

Check Non-PCM Internal Circuit Of Digital TR Sensor

Install digital TR sensor overlay on transmission tester. Connect transmission tester to TR sensor. Perform SWITCH TEST. Follow transmission tester instructions. If transmission tester status light matches selected gear position, concern is not in digital TR sensor. For starting concerns, see appropriate STARTERS article in STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS. For back-up light concerns, see EXTERIOR LIGHTS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT. If transmission tester status light does not match selected gear position, replace digital TR sensor. Adjust NEW TR sensor. Clear DTCs. See CLEARING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING. Repeat QUICK TEST under DIAGNOSIS & TESTING.