What does it mean?
P1737 is a Powertrain (engine, transmission, fuel system) fault code. It indicates: Shift Motor-Open or Short to Ground .
Symptoms
- MIL (check engine lamp) on with a shift or mode warning lamp
- Requested range change does not happen and the display keeps flashing
- Motor runs briefly then stops, or never energises at all
- Fuse blows again shortly after replacement
- Vehicle remains locked in whichever range it was already in
Likely causes
- Short to ground where the motor harness rubs a bracket, pan or driveline component
- Open motor winding or worn brushes preventing current flow
- Water and salt in the motor connector bridging a pin to the housing
- Broken or corroded ground return wire for the motor circuit
- Seized shift mechanism causing the motor to overheat and open internally
- Blown fuse in the supply path from a previous short
- Failed driver stage in the control module, considered after the wiring checks
How to fix it
- Check the fuse first and note whether it blows again as soon as the motor is commanded
- Inspect the harness along its whole route for rub-through against metal parts
- Unplug the motor and measure each circuit to ground to locate the short
- Measure winding resistance and turn the motor with direct power to confirm operation
- Test the ground return with a voltage drop measurement while the motor is loaded
- Free and lubricate the shift mechanism if the motor stalls under load
- Repair the shorted wiring or replace the motor, then verify travel to each position