Powertrain, generic (extended)

P2862 Shift Fork B Actuator Circuit High

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P2862 indicates that a fork B actuator line sits at or near battery voltage when it should be pulled low. In practice this is a short to a powered conductor or a module transistor that stays open. Ford documents P2862 in its 2012 OBD summary as the short-to-power check of the DPS6 motor that turns the drum for reverse and gears 2, 4 and 6; the 2014 catalogue lists the MIL for it. Ford handles the open circuit as P285F and the ground short as P2861. Because the module cannot regulate the motor phases safely, it stops the motor and leaves that drum where it is; depending on where it stops, the box may be stuck without reverse or in one even gear. Inspect the harness routing near hot or moving parts before condemning the module.

Likely causes

Fork B actuator wire shorted to a powered conductor
Module output transistor for fork B stuck
Insulation melted near the exhaust or a hot component

Symptoms

  • Engine lamp, no reverse or stuck in one even gear
  • Large rpm jumps because only odd gears are used

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€100–1,500
Time0.5–4 h

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

Parts involved

shift fork actuator bwiring harnesstcm

Related codes

P285FP2861P2860P285EP2836

References: newtonnet.co.uk, performanceparts.ford.com, law.cornell.edu.