Help, I have an odd shifting problem that I hope has a simple answer. I'm getting 2 codes: P0914- Gear shift position circuit, and P0500 - Speed sensor A. Not sure if they're related but it seems likely. Also when I drive it it starts in 2nd and shifts straight to 4th. I can't get it into 1st, 3rd or 5th. The tranny sounds fine and the clutch actuator was replaced shortly before I bought it which was last week. When I turn the key I have to put my foot on the brake and I get the 3 bars for about 10 seconds then changes to Park, then starts right up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Shifting problems
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Had this happen to me on my 09. I drove 5 miles and it would do this, If I disconnected the battery for an hour, I could go another 5 miles and it happened again. Eventually I found a connector on the trans that had water in it. Dried it out and it worked good until I went through the car wash. I filled it with dielectric grease and it never returned.
Connector was on the drivers side underneath close to the rear bumper. I just started pulling connections (with batt disconnected) until I found it it was the one with water in it. took me 2 days to figure it out.
Connector was on the drivers side underneath close to the rear bumper. I just started pulling connections (with batt disconnected) until I found it it was the one with water in it. took me 2 days to figure it out.
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29,804 Posts
Have you considered cleaning the two shifter motors? 
https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f369/transmission-shifter-motor-cleaning-46079/
https://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f369/transmission-shifter-motor-cleaning-46079/
How do you clean it? Remove it? Is there any way to test if the transmission motor is getting the right signals. All the connections I could find look ok. Oh yeah it trips the codes before I even start the car so I'm leaning toward an electrical issue. I also tried disconnecting the battery for a half hour and that didn't change anything.
"Also when I drive it it starts in 2nd and shifts straight to 4th. I can't get it into 1st, 3rd or 5th." IIRC, that sounds exactly like the problem I was having.
" The tranny sounds fine " If they replaced the fluid with a GL-5 spec, it will foam up and get in the electric motors. Every since I cleaned the motors and replaced the fluid with a GL-4, now 6 years, it's been fine.
"How do you clean it? Remove it?" Follow jwights's link for the picture tutorial. It's really not that hard, I am not an auto mechanic.
" The tranny sounds fine " If they replaced the fluid with a GL-5 spec, it will foam up and get in the electric motors. Every since I cleaned the motors and replaced the fluid with a GL-4, now 6 years, it's been fine.
"How do you clean it? Remove it?" Follow jwights's link for the picture tutorial. It's really not that hard, I am not an auto mechanic.
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29,804 Posts
You are probably looking at a replacement (new or used) motor....
This is for a new one but you can search that part number and maybe find a good used version: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Smart-4518290201-Transmission-Gearshift/dp/B00IO32TB8
This is for a new one but you can search that part number and maybe find a good used version: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Smart-4518290201-Transmission-Gearshift/dp/B00IO32TB8
ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/16-15-14-1...GFZlanJ:sc:ShippingMethodStandard!06810!US!-1
Call used car parts locally :GETRAG 0487.02 AKA 451 electric gear selector motor aka BUHLER MOTOR AKA Transmission motors 1 and 2 AKA (M17/3 and M17/4)
The junkyards can find a wreck and pull from it. They often can get it for you if they don't have it. It's a common part for all451's 2008 to 2016 models
Call used car parts locally :GETRAG 0487.02 AKA 451 electric gear selector motor aka BUHLER MOTOR AKA Transmission motors 1 and 2 AKA (M17/3 and M17/4)
The junkyards can find a wreck and pull from it. They often can get it for you if they don't have it. It's a common part for all451's 2008 to 2016 models
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