P0957Generic code

P0957 Code: Auto Shift Manual Mode Circuit Low

The P0957 code means the signal from the manual mode circuit is below its minimum value. It usually comes from a signal wire shorted to ground or a missing reference voltage. The effect is that manual mode does not work.

Severity
Low
Can I keep driving?
Yes, no immediate risk
Estimated cost
$30 to $300
Difficulty
Medium
System
Transmission
Applies to
All OBD2 vehicles

Updated Reviewed by Renzo Chacca

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What the P0957 code means

A switch tells the computer that the driver has selected the manual (sequential) mode of the gearbox.

It is a plain switch: the computer sees a high or a low voltage depending on its position. The P0957 code is a low signal, and it usually comes from the signal wire shorting to ground or from the reference voltage going missing.

When the signal fails, the gearbox does not go into manual mode, or it drops out of it for no reason.

To confirm it, unplug the component with the key on and watch what the reading or the code does. If the value jumps to the opposite extreme, the wiring is fine and the component is the one pulling the signal to ground. If nothing changes, look for the short in the wire, starting where the harness rubs against the engine, the chassis or the exhaust.

P0957 code symptoms

  • Check engine light on.
  • Manual mode that does not work.

Likely causes of the P0957 code

  1. Signal wire shorted to ground. The harness rubs against the engine, the chassis or a bracket.
  2. Shorted reference supply. If several sensors fail at once, suspect the shared reference.
  3. Damaged sensor with an internal short.
  4. Connector with water or corrosion. It creates a path to ground.

How to diagnose the P0957 code step by step

  1. Read the switch value on the scan tool and compare it with the position of the lever.
  2. Inspect the connector for corrosion, water or loose pins.
  3. Check the supply and ground with the key on: the reference should be correct and the ground should drop less than 0.1 volt.
  4. Measure the signal with the connector plugged in and see whether it changes when you move the lever.
  5. Do the wiggle test on the harness with the scan tool in graph mode.
  6. Check continuity of each wire to the computer, which should be under 1 ohm.

How to fix the P0957 code

  • Repair the connector or the wiring.
  • Replace the switch if the tests confirm the short is inside it.
  • Correct the real condition if there is one.
  • Clear the P0957 code and verify with a road test.

Technical reference data

  • Switch in the lever.
  • Reference values only: check the manufacturer data for your vehicle.

Brand-specific notes

This code is common on levers that are dirty or have had liquid spilled into them, because the liquid can bridge the switch contacts to ground.

Frequently asked questions about P0957

Can I drive with a P0957 code?
Yes, with caution. The car normally keeps running, but you may lose manual mode.
Does the sensor have to be replaced?
Only if the tests confirm it. The connector and the wiring fail just as often as the switch does.
What does the manual mode of the gearbox do?
A switch tells the computer that the driver has selected the manual (sequential) mode of the gearbox.
How much does it cost to fix P0957?
As a rough guide, between $30 and $300. Fixing a rubbed wire costs little, and a new lever switch costs more.
What does the P0957 code mean?
It means the manual mode signal is lower than the minimum the computer allows. That usually points to a short to ground or a missing reference.
What is the most common cause of P0957?
A signal wire shorted to ground, or water and corrosion in the connector that give the signal a path to ground.

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Questions about the P0957 code

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