01 Before You Open A Car Dealership, Here Are Things Nobody Te… • 02 Is it Bad to Pump Your Brakes When The Car is Off? • 03 Car Engine Overheating: Causes, Troubleshooting, Solutions,… • 04 Don't Panic! Understanding Why Water Is Coming From Your Ca… • 05 How to Determine if a Vehicle Has Been in an Accident: Comp… • 06 Car Owners Shocked To Discover The Real Purpose Of The Arro… • 07 Are EVs Really Better for the Environment or Just Marketing? • 08 Thinking of Upgrading to LED Headlights? Here's What You Mu… • 09 Understanding Car Fuel Pumps: Functions, Types, and Mainten… • 10 The Scary Truth About Why Your Car Vibrates When You Accele… •

DTC codes / P2Exx · Hybrid propulsion / P2E13

P2E13Gear Selection Actuator Position Sensor Circuit High

P2E13 indicates that the powertrain control module (PCM) has detected an abnormally high voltage on the signal circuit of the gear selection actuator position sensor, which is used to confirm the actual gear engaged by the actuator. The PCM expects the sensor voltage to stay within a calibrated range, and a high reading typically means the signal circuit is shorted to voltage, the sensor ground is open, or the sensor itself has failed.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityMedium
Fix difficultyIntermediate
AreaHybrid propulsion

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the check engine light or service transmission message
  • Transmission may default to a limp-home mode with limited gear selection
  • Harsh or delayed shifts, or refusal to engage certain gears
  • Inability to select manual or sport mode, if equipped
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is intermittent

Common causes, most likely first

  1. Faulty gear selection actuator position sensor
  2. Open or high-resistance ground circuit to the sensor
  3. Short to voltage on the sensor signal circuit
  4. Damaged or corroded wiring harness or connector at the sensor or PCM
  5. Internal PCM driver or signal circuit fault
  6. Mechanical binding or misalignment of the gear selection actuator affecting sensor reading

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Connect a scan tool and record all stored and pending codes, then clear codes and road test to see if P2E13 returns
  2. Inspect the sensor connector and wiring for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and repair as needed
  3. Measure reference voltage and ground at the sensor connector with the key on, engine off, and compare to manufacturer specifications
  4. Back-probe the sensor signal wire and check for a short to voltage by wiggle-testing the harness while monitoring the scan tool data
  5. If wiring and grounds are good, remove the sensor and inspect the actuator for binding or damage that could skew the sensor reading
  6. Replace the gear selection actuator position sensor if it fails resistance or voltage output tests, then clear codes and verify proper operation
  7. If the fault persists after sensor replacement, test the signal circuit from the PCM to the sensor for continuity and shorts, and check for a faulty PCM

What a high sensor voltage really tells you

  • A high voltage reading on the sensor signal circuit often points to a poor ground rather than a failed sensor, because an open ground causes the signal voltage to float upward.
  • Intermittent P2E13 codes that appear only on rough roads or after engine wash frequently trace to a chafed wire in the harness near the transmission, not the sensor itself.
  • Some vehicles use a shared ground for multiple transmission sensors, so a single corroded ground point can set several related codes at once and mislead you into replacing good components.
  • The gear selection actuator position sensor may be integrated into the actuator assembly on certain designs, making it necessary to replace the entire unit rather than just the sensor.
  • A binding actuator mechanism can cause the sensor to report an out-of-range high voltage even when the electrical circuit is intact, so always inspect for mechanical freedom of movement.

Can I keep driving with P2E13?

If the transmission has entered limp-home mode or is shifting erratically, avoid highway driving and seek service promptly; if the only symptom is the warning light and the vehicle drives normally, you can drive cautiously to a repair shop but should not ignore the code.

Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.

Running on fumes Free guides aren't free to make. Top up the tank. Any amount, one time. Fuel the Garage