P2790

Gate Select Direction Circuit

Q: Is it safe to drive with P2790?

Short trips at low speed may be fine, but harsh or missed shifts and limp mode mean you should get it diagnosed promptly to avoid being stranded or damaging the gearbox.

Q: Can I just clear P2790?

It will come back if the actuator or wiring is faulty. This is a shift-control circuit, so fix the root cause rather than just clearing it.

Transmission controls Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

P2790 is set when the transmission controller detects a fault in the gate-select direction circuit — the actuator and sensing that move the shift mechanism between gear "gates" on automated-manual and dual-clutch gearboxes. A fault here can cause harsh or missed shifts and may force the transmission into a protective limp mode, so it should be diagnosed before it strands you.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Sometimes limited — on automated-manual/dual-clutch gearboxes a gate-select fault can cause harsh or missed shifts or limp mode; drive gently and get it checked.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Check-engine light on
Harsh, delayed, or missed gear changes
Transmission may drop into limp/failsafe mode (fixed gear)
Warning message or flashing gear indicator

Common causes

Most likely first

Faulty gate-select actuator or its position sensorLikely
Open, shorted, or chafed wiring in the gate-select circuitCommon
Corroded or loose connector at the shift actuatorCommon
Internal shift-mechanism fault inside the transmissionLess often
Faulty TCM (least likely)Less often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan for all transmission codes and read freeze-frame to see the operating condition.
Inspect the gate-select actuator connector and wiring for damage, corrosion, or looseness.
Measure the circuit for opens and shorts against the service manual values.
Test the actuator/position sensor; replace it if it's out of range.
If wiring and actuator check out, have the internal shift mechanism and TCM evaluated. Clear and re-test.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with P2790?+

Short trips at low speed may be fine, but harsh or missed shifts and limp mode mean you should get it diagnosed promptly to avoid being stranded or damaging the gearbox.

Can I just clear P2790?+

It will come back if the actuator or wiring is faulty. This is a shift-control circuit, so fix the root cause rather than just clearing it.

Read & clear P2790 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX