P1516

Code

LAND ROVER P — Powertrain

Failure in the activation in park / neutral

Brand: LAND ROVER

Type: P — Powertrain

Views: UK: 30 EN: 66 RU: 43

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Page language: EN

Causes

Faulty park/neutral position switch (transmission range sensor / PRNDL sensor)
Damaged or corroded wiring or connector at the switch
Poor ground or blown fuse related to starter/PRNDL circuit
Misadjusted or damaged shift linkage or gear selector assembly
Faulty transmission control module (TCM) or engine control module (ECM)
Software or calibration error requiring an update

Symptoms

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Transmission warning light ON
Starter will not engage or engine will not crank in Park/Neutral
Starter only works intermittently or only in neutral/park depending on condition
Gear indicator shows incorrect gear or does not change with selector movement
Shift lock or key interlock may not operate correctly
Vehicle may not move from Park or may not recognize Neutral for limp-home mode

What to check

Read and record all stored DTCs and freeze frame data with a scan tool
Visually inspect park/neutral switch, connector, wiring harness and transmission shift linkage for damage or corrosion
Check related fuses and relays (starter/PRNDL circuits) and verify proper battery voltage
Use a scan tool to monitor transmission range/selector position PID while moving the selector through all positions
Wiggle test wiring and connector while observing live data / MIL response to identify intermittent faults
Check for any available manufacturer TSBs or software updates for transmission/PCM

Signal parameters

Reference voltage (typical): ~5 V supply to the position sensor (verify with manufacturer data)
Signal output: switches between states when selector moved; expected to change between ~0 V and ~5 V or between open/closed logic (confirm with factory specification)
Continuity: closed contacts should read low resistance (< a few ohms) across relevant pins; open circuit when not engaged
Ground: good chassis/module ground (near 0 Ω) required for correct sensor operation
Live data: PRNDL position PID should show Park/Neutral when selector is in those positions

Diagnostic algorithm

Connect a capable scan tool, read codes, note freeze frame and live PRNDL/gear position data.
Inspect battery voltage and fuses. Low supply can cause false faults—ensure battery >12.4 V with key on.
Visually inspect the park/neutral switch, connector, and wiring for damage, corrosion, bent pins or water ingress.
With ignition ON, monitor the switch signal in real time while moving the gear selector to Park and Neutral. Confirm the signal changes state when expected.
Perform a continuity and resistance check between the sensor pins and the module connector; repair any open or high-resistance circuits.
Backprobe the sensor connector (or use manufacturer-recommended test harness) and verify reference voltage, signal voltage and ground with a multimeter/oscilloscope.
If wiring and switch check good, inspect shift linkage/selector for correct mechanical operation and adjust/repair as required.
If tests point to intermittent or internal module fault, consult wiring diagrams and consider replacing the park/neutral switch. Re-scan and clear codes.
After repair, clear codes and perform a road test and repeated gear-selector cycles to confirm the fault does not return. Check for any required module relearn or software updates.

Likely causes

Park/neutral position switch failure or internal fault
Open, short, or high-resistance in the signal or ground wiring to the switch
Loose/corroded connector at the switch or module
Misaligned shift lever/selector not moving the switch into Park/Neutral

Fault status

⚠️ Status

P1516 — Failure in activation in Park/Neutral: control module does not detect Park or Neutral when expected. May prevent starting or affect transmission interlocks. Inspect park/neutral switch, wiring, connectors and related modules.

🟡 Repair difficulty: Medium

⏱️ Diagnostic time: 1-3 hours

Repair manuals

Manual library for LAND ROVER

413

Browse 413 LAND ROVER manuals: repair procedures, diagnostics, wiring diagrams, component locations, service data and Labor Times by year, model and trim.

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P1516 — Failure in the activation in park / neutral