OBD-II code · Powertrain (generic)
P081C Park Input Circuit
General electrical fault on the Park input circuit — used by ECM/PCM to know that the gear lever is in Park (allows engine start, raises idle for accessory loads). With the input invalid Park-conditional logic falls back to a safe default.
Is it safe to drive with P081C?
Usually safe to drive in the short term. Get it diagnosed when convenient, sooner if the car drives differently.
Common causes
- Most likelyOpen or shorted park input wire
Symptoms
- Check engine or transmission warning light on
- Harsh, delayed, or missing shifts
- Possible limp mode (locked in one gear)
- Slipping or shuddering during gear changes
Repair at a glance
- Difficulty
- Medium
- DIY friendly
- Often, with basic tools
- Typical labour
- 0.3–1.5 h
- Emissions test
- Usually unaffected
- Parts involved
- Park Input Circuit, Wiring Harness
Code data: OBDex open dataset (CC0). Labour times are typical ranges, not a quote.