This speed sensor will give a "power steering" message if disconnected too... One of the first rodent chewed wires I've had since moving to the country. I didn't have hard shifting or speedo problems though, just the power steering message. (no power steering problems, just the message)

 

A wheel speed sensor wire might do it too.

It may depend on how the wire is damaged; I would expect a lot of weird things if the 2 wires are sorting vs just broken or shorting to ground. Electrical gremlins are very clever!

 

I had about 15 minutes earlier today so I just did the quickest thing for now, checked fuses and codes.

Fuses seemed tight, however, in the under the hood fuse box there was a section in the section of fuses near the center that I was able to push down slightly (like a hair) but it made a slight click/snap sound like they were just seated properly. All the other fuses were very tight. These were:
42:ECM
43:ECM TRANS
45:INJ IGN MDL
46:PARK/NEUT
47:HTD/SEAT/BCK/UP

Along with that info, I was able to check for codes using a scan tool and the Torque APP. Code P0742 (TCC Stuck) was found as a Pending (Unverified) code and that was the only one found.

So just wanted to post that just showing where I was in the process. I have seen some posts regarding wiring being chewed/damaged regarding the P0742 code. I will check for that but won't be able to proceed until tomorrow. Does anyone have any ideas on if this could be a legitimate issue or if there's a good chance it's a product of another issue such as wiring?

 

Have a read of the diagnostic steps, loose connections, chaffed wires, usually are the problem. It must be something in the recycling process for the wires insulation that makes rodents think it's tasty!

https://www.obd-codes.com/p0742

 

Actually you left the word "circuit" out of the description of the code.

 

That's true and that's a key word. That's what I get for typing in a hurry.

 

That's why I always say to pull the codes even if the CEL didn't light up. Never know what could be lurking deep down in the computers innards.

 

You never know what you're gonna find!

 

Any code pending or set will cause hard shifting. It's a sort of limp mode. At least that's the way my 06 works. Also, if you have traction control it will be disabled by a pending code. I call it my pending code light lol. I don't know why it does this but it does.