P271B code meaning
Park Pawl Position Sensor A Circuit High
What P271B means
P271B is the upper-limit partner of P271A: the signal from park pawl position sensor A reads above its plausible range. Typical electrical causes are a broken ground or signal wire, which lets the input float towards the reference, or a short to a supply line. No manufacturer documents P271B publicly. The closest published case concerns the same sensor at its lower limit, Ford's recall 26V688 for the Integrated Park Module of the HF55 hybrid transmission, which shows what is at stake: if the controller cannot trust the pawl position it may refuse to leave Park or drop to Neutral. Most systems carry a second sensor B as a cross-check (P271C/P271D), so a single high reading is normally caught before the pawl moves unintentionally.
P271B at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P271B
- Shift system warning on the display
- Park cannot be selected or released
Common causes of P271B
- Most likelyOpen sensor ground or signal wire
- PossibleSignal wire shorted to reference or battery voltage
- PossibleCorroded or loose connector at the park actuator
- Less likelyFailed position sensor A
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Park pawl position sensor aWiring harness
What each part of P271B means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 2 | Generic code (second SAE range): it means the same on every make. |
| 7 | Area: transmission. |
| 1B | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P271B and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P271B
What does P271B mean?
P271B means "Park Pawl Position Sensor A Circuit High". P271B is the upper-limit partner of P271A: the signal from park pawl position sensor A reads above its plausible range. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P271B?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P271B the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P271B fail an emissions test?
P271B is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P271B to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P271B clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.