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P0706 Severity
Identifying an OBD code is just the start of a complete diagnostic routine. Most trouble codes are caused by a sensor reporting a value that is out of range. Just replacing a sensor may not fix underlying issues. Be sure to understand the code, the part or system in your car that the code refers to, and the risks of delaying professional repair.
Proper diagnosis will save you time and money on unnecessary repairs.
Urgent codes indicate immediate action is necessary. These are urgent and significant malfunctions that can cause severe damage to the vehicle or harm the driver and passengers.
The Transmission Range Sensor (also referred to as the PRNDL input and/or neutral safety switch) tells the transmission control module (TCM) and the engine control module (PCM) that the transmission is in park, reverse, neutral, drive, low, 2nd, 3rd etc. It is attached directly to the manual valve of transmission, so when the shift lever is moved from park to drive, the Transmission Range Sensor communicates this critical information to the above mentioned vehicle control module systems. When the input from the transmission range sensor is erratic or irrational, the PCM will set code P0706.
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OBD-II Code P0706 is defined as a Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
The purpose of the automatic transmission is to match the engine's optimum power and torque characteristics to the driver's desired rate of acceleration and speed by auto-selecting different gear ratios or 'speeds' to power the wheels. The Transmission Range Sensor (also referred to as the PRNDL input and/or neutral safety switch) tells the transmission control module (TCM) and the powertrain control module (PCM) that the transmission is in park, reverse, neutral, drive, low, 2nd, 3rd etc. It is attached directly to the manual valve of transmission, so when the shift lever is moved say from park to drive, the Transmission Range Sensor communicates this critical information to the above mentioned vehicle computer systems.
When the code P0706 is set in the Powertrain Computer, it means that the Powertrain Computer or PCM is not seeing a clear, rational change in the data sent from the Transmission Range Sensor, especially after the vehicle is in motion. For example, say the vehicle is going 25 mph, as reported by the vehicle speed sensor, but the Range Sensor is reporting that the transmission is still in park. This is an irrational (or impossible) condition, that is, how could the vehicle be going 25 mph and be in park?
When diagnosing a P0706 code, it is important to record the freeze frame information and then to duplicate the code setting conditions with a test drive at speeds around 15-35 mph. Start out from a dead stop and gently accelerate. Watch the scan data to see if the Range Sensor is reporting accurate information to the TCM and PCM. If the Range Sensor is giving erroneous information to the TCM/PCM, then you may have located a problem that could set the P0706 code. The next step is to start doing pinpoint tests i.e voltage drops and continuity tests of the Transmission Range Sensor. I generally back probe the Range Sensor, so I bypass any of the harness wiring. This accomplishes 2 things, I'm isolating the sensor from the wring harness and checking the quality of the connector and it's connection. And, ALWAYS check the condition of the fluid. Is it dirty, brown and burnt or is it that clear cranberry color?