P0790 Normal/Performance Switch Circuit

P0790 is the circuit fault of the normal/performance (sport or power program) selector of an automatic transmission – the older single code that preceded the mode switch codes P071A ff; the early J2012 list still called it 'circuit malfunction'. The switch is usually a button to ground or a resistor ladder; a fault is an invalid level, a permanently pressed button or an open circuit. No manufacturer document available to us describes it; GM uses P05D0–P05D3 for its drive mode selector today. The sport program is then unavailable or permanently on.

Likely causes

Symptoms

• Sport or performance program unavailable or always on
• Mode indicator missing or flashing

Repair estimate

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

Related codes

References: dmv.de.gov, law.cornell.edu, gsi.ext.gm.com.