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P0816




DTC P0815, P0816, or P0826

Diagnostic Instructions

* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.

* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.

* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0815
- Upshift Switch Circuit

DTC P0816
- Downshift Switch Circuit

DTC P0826
- Up and Down Shift Switch Circuit

Diagnostic Fault Information






Typical Scan Tool Data






Circuit/System Description

When the shift lever is moved left of the D position, the transmission will enter sport mode. With the shift lever in this position, the transmission will enter manual mode if the gear shift lever is pressed forward or rearward. This allows the operator to select an upshift by pressing the gear shift lever forward, and downshift by pressing the gear shift lever rearward. The body control module (BCM) supplies an ignition circuit and a signal circuit to the shift controller. The shift controller has Hall-effect switches connected to a resistor array. When the lever is left of the D position, a voltage drop occurs across the resistor network. When the gear shift lever is pressed forward or rearward, a corresponding voltage drop occurs across the resistor network. This voltage drop is monitored by the BCM. The BCM will send the request to the transmission control module to perform the upshift or downshift.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0815 or P0816

* Engine speed is 400 RPM or greater for 5 seconds.

* Ignition voltage is 9.0 volts or greater.

* DTC P0815, P0816, P0826, P1761, P182E, P1876, P1877, or P1915 is not set.

* Time since the last gear range change is greater than 1 second.

P0826

* Engine speed is 400 RPM or greater for 5 seconds.

* Ignition voltage is 9.0 volts or greater.

* DTC P0826 or P1761 is not set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0815 - Condition 1

Transmission control module (TCM) detects an upshift request for 1 second with the shift lever in PARK, or NEUTRAL.

P0815 - Condition 2

TCM detects an upshift request for 10 minutes with the shift lever in a forward range.

P0816 - Condition 1

TCM detects a downshift request for 1 second with the shift lever in PARK, or NEUTRAL.

P0816 - Condition 2

TCM detects a downshift request for 10 minutes with the shift lever in a forward range.

P0826

TCM detects an invalid voltage on the TAP up/down signal circuit for 1 minute.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

* DTCs P0815, P0816, and P0826 are Type C DTCs.

* TCM disables TAP shift operation.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0815, P0816, and P0826 are Type C DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics Electrical Diagrams

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views Outside Rearview Mirror - Driver

Description and Operation

* Transmission General Description Transmission General Description

* Transmission Component and System Description Transmission Component and System Description

Electrical Information Reference

* Circuit Testing Circuit Testing

* Connector Repairs Connector Repairs

* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

* Wiring Repairs Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification

Warning: Refer to Parking Brake and Drive Wheels Warning Parking Brake and Drive Wheels Warning.


1. Ignition ON, engine OFF.

2. Verify with a scan tool no internal mode switch (IMS) DTCs set.

If IMS DTCs were set
Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle.

If IMS DTCs are not set

3. Move the gear shift lever through all the positions including left of the D position while monitoring the scan tool Driver Shift Control Mode parameter. The parameter should display inactive in the park, reverse, neutral, and drive gear select lever positions, and Active with the gear shift lever left of the D position.

If the parameter does not display the correct values
Refer to Circuit/System Testing below.

If the parameter displays the correct value

4. Shift lever left of the D position, press the lever forward and rearward while monitoring the scan tool Driver Shirt Request parameter. The parameter should change from None to Upshift when the gear shift lever is pressed forward, and from None to Downshift when the gear shift lever is pressed rearward.

If the parameter does not display the correct values
Refer to Circuit/System Testing below.

If the parameter displays the correct value

5. After performing the above steps, verify that the DTC does not reset by operating the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions you observe from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data. If the vehicle passes the Circuit/System Verification procedure, then STOP. Do not perform the Circuit/System Testing or Component Testing as this may result in an unnecessary part replacement. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections.

Circuit/System Testing

Note: You must perform the Circuit/System Verification first.

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector from the S3 transmission shift lever.

2. Test for less than 10 ohms between the S3 transmission shift lever harness connector terminal 2 and ground.

If 10 ohms or greater
Test for less than 2 ohms in the ground circuit end to end.

If 2 ohms or greater, repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.

If less than 2 ohms, repair the open/high resistance in the ground connection.

If less than 10 ohms

3. Ignition ON.

4. Verify a test lamp illuminates between the S3 transmission shift lever harness connector ignition circuit terminal 1 and ground circuit terminal 2.

If test lamp does not illuminate

1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K9 body control module.

2. Test for less than 2 ohms in the ignition circuit end to end.

If 2 ohms or greater, repair the ignition circuit.

If less than 2 ohms, replace the K9 body control module.

If test lamp illuminates

5. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the K9 body control module.

6. Test for infinite resistance between the S3 transmission shift lever harness connector signal circuit terminal 3 and ground.

If less than infinite resistance
Repair the short to ground in the circuit.

If infinite resistance

7. Test for less than 2 ohms in the signal circuit end to end.

If 2 ohms or greater
Repair the open/high resistance in the circuit.

If less than 2 ohms

8. Connect the K9 body control module harness connector, ignition ON.

9. Verify the scan tool Driver Shift Control Mode parameter displays inactive.

If Driver Shift Control Parameter does not display Inactive
Replace the K9 body control module.

If Driver Shift Control Parameter displays Inactive

10. Test for 11-13 volts at the S3 transmission shift lever harness connector between signal circuit terminal 3 and ground.

If not between 11-13 volts
Replace the K9 body control module.

If between 11-13 volts

11. Ignition OFF, connect the S3 transmission shift lever harness connector, ignition ON.

12. Test for 11-13 volts by back probing the S3 transmission shift lever connector between terminal 3 and ground with the shift lever in park, reverse, neutral, and drive.

If not between 11-13 volts
Replace the S3 transmission shift lever.

If between 11-13 volts

13. Shift lever left of the D position.

14. Test for 8.0-10.6 volts between S3 transmission shift lever connector terminal 3 and ground.

If not between 8.0-10.6 volts
Replace the S3 transmission shift lever.

If between 8.0-10.6 volts

15. Test for 5.1-7.3 volts between S3 transmission shift lever connector terminal 3 and ground with the shift lever pressed rearward.

If not between 5.1-7.3 volts
Replace the S3 transmission shift lever.

If between 5.1-7.3 volts

16. Test for 2.0-4.6 volts between S3 transmission shift lever connector terminal 3 and ground with the shift lever pressed forward.

If not between 2.0-4.6 volts
Replace the S3 transmission shift lever.

If between 2.0-4.6 volts

17. Replace the K9 body control module.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification Verification Tests after completing the diagnostic repair.

* Refer to Control Module References Control Module References for BCM replacement, programming and setup.

* Refer to Transmission Control Replacement Transmission Control Replacement for AT TAP shift switch replacement.