What does P1849 mean on a Ford?

P1849. Transfer Case Contact Plate A Short to Ground. Applies to F-150, Super Duty, Explorer.

What causes P1849 on a Ford?

Plate A circuit shorted to ground Pinched plate harness Worn tracks grounding out Corroded connector Module fault

How do I fix P1849 on a Ford?

Isolate the short with circuit testing Inspect the plate and harness Clean and test track continuity Check the connector Repair the short or replace the plate

Code

P1849

Transfer Case Contact Plate A Short to Ground

Category: Powertrain - Transmission
Severity: Check Engine Light
Applies to: F-150, Super Duty, Explorer
Related: P0705 Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input) on OBD Codes List

Findings, check these first

Plate A circuit shorted to ground
Pinched plate harness
Worn tracks grounding out
Corroded connector
Module fault

Standard procedure

Isolate the short with circuit testing
Inspect the plate and harness
Clean and test track continuity
Check the connector
Repair the short or replace the plate

Code lookup

Type a code above, or start from a symptom or a common code.

Press / to jump to the box. Ford-enhanced powertrain, body, chassis and network codes. Generic P0xxx codes live on OBD Codes List.

Sources and review

Review: checked against the recorded source material.

OBDII.pro: P1849 Ford definition
live reference page (obdii.pro)
Supports: Ford-family meaning for P1849: Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate 'A' Short Circuit To Ground
Fetched directly. obdii.pro is a publisher independent of the engine-codes family.
P1849 FORD Code: Meaning, Causes, and Symptoms | OBD2 Codes
live reference page (obd2-codes.co)
Supports: Ford meaning for P1849: Transmission Transfer Case Contact Plate ‘A’ Short Circuit To Ground
Fetched directly. obd2-codes.co phrasing matches the engine-codes family, so it counts as one publisher.

Last updated 2026-09-06.

Report a correction for P1849. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.