P0705 on an Automatic Transmission Protege

[aceP5]

Car: 2002 Mazda Protege (Auto Transmission)
Code: P0705 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit malfunction (PRNDL Input)

Symptoms: Auto-Transmission light comes on and blinks on and off. CEL also on. Engine power dies completely, and gas pedal needs to be floored to move the car. After turning off the car and turning it back on, the AT light is off but the CEL is still on. When I read it with an OBD-II reader, it gives the above code.

This has happened 7-8 times in the past year or two, but I finally got the chance to read the code. This is my girlfriend's car so I have never actually seen any of the above happen - it's all based on her own account to me.

My guess is that something is screwy with a sensor somewhere, and it's causing the car to go into some kind of limp mode temporarily. The car is fine after restarting so I don't think it's anything mechanical.

Has anyone had this issue or do you know what sensor I should look at replacing?

Thanks!!!

 

[zoom zoom sp20]

<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->The circuit consists of the transmission range switch that is attached to the transaxle and the wiring harness and connectors between the switch and the ECU i think. i found that info on the net

 

[Luny man eunos]

Am having the same problems with a 1999 protege 1.8 auto.
Have you fixed it yet?