Transmission Position Sensor/Switch: Description and Operation

Manual Lever Position Sensor:

PURPOSE
The Manual Lever Position (MLP) sensor provides an input signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), notifying the PCM of the current transmission shift lever position.

Schematic:

CONSTRUCTION
The MLP has six separate resistors in series. Each resistor has an output connection corresponding to a transmission position (P, R, N, D, 1, 2). The output wiper arm is linked directly to the transmisssion selector linkage.

OPERATION
The PCM applies a 5.0 volt reference signal to the MLP circuit pin 30. SIG RTN circuit pin 46 supplies a ground path to the sensor. As the transmission is shifted the MLP output wiper arm moves to a corresponding resistor connection. The six inline resistors provide a separate voltage drop for each transmission position.

RELATED DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES

DTC 67/634 - The MLP sensor was out of self-test range with the transmission in park.

DTC 522/654 - The gear selector was not in park during the self-test.