Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2794 Gear Shift Direction Circuit Low

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P2794 means the shift direction signal, which tells the controller whether a gear is being pushed in or pulled out along its lane, reads lower than the permitted minimum. The usual suspects are a signal line rubbed through to ground, a collapsed sensor supply shared with other sensors, or water in a connector creating a leakage path to ground. Because the same supply often feeds several gearbox sensors, other low-voltage codes stored at the same time point to the supply rather than this sensor. No manufacturer documents P2794 publicly with thresholds; the test is one of the range checks CARB 13 CCR 1968.2 sets for transmission inputs. P2793 covers a missing or invalid signal and P2795 the opposite limit. With this fault the gearbox normally freezes the gear in use.

Likely causes

Signal line chafed through to ground
Shared sensor supply pulled down by another sensor or wiring
Moisture or corrosion in the connector
Shift direction sensor failed low

Symptoms

  • Gearbox stays in the current gear
  • Manual shift requests ignored
  • Transmission warning lamp

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€50–900
Time0.5–3 h

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

Parts involved

shift direction sensorwiring harness

Related codes

P2793P2795P0916

References: law.cornell.edu, en.wikipedia.org.