TransmissionGeneric OBD-II codeUrgency: Garage soon
Code P0704: clutch pedal switch fault
P0704 means: clutch switch input circuit malfunction.[1][2][3] The engine control unit is not receiving a correct signal from the clutch pedal switch, which tells it whether the pedal is pressed or released. The code applies to cars with a manual gearbox. TaT describes it as an electrical fault in the wiring, the connector or the control circuit associated with the switch.[1][2]
What code P0704 means
The engine control unit is not receiving a correct signal from the clutch pedal switch, which tells it whether the pedal is pressed or released. The code applies to cars with a manual gearbox. TaT describes it as an electrical fault in the wiring, the connector or the control circuit associated with the switch.[1][2]
That signal is needed for several functions: according to TaT, it allows the engine to start, switches cruise control on and off, and adjusts the fuel strategy during gear changes.[2]
The exact criteria the control unit uses to set the fault depend on the manufacturer. DTCSearch cites, for example, that on certain Fords the control unit detects no change in the state of the clutch switch, and that on certain GM vehicles the engine keeps running at 0 mph after previously exceeding 40 mph without the switch having changed state.[3]
It is a generic OBD-II code (it starts with P0), so the definition is the same on every make, although diagnostic and repair procedures vary by model.[2][4]
Original definition (SAE J2012): Clutch Switch Input Circuit Malfunction[1][2][3]
Causes of P0704
From most to least likely, according to the sources.
Symptoms
- The car will not start even with the clutch pressed.[1]Hard to start: faults that cause it
- Cruise control that switches off or does not work.[1][2]
- Reversing lights that do not work properly.[1]
- Engine warning light on.[1][5]Engine warning light: faults that cause it
- Engine in limp mode, with reduced power.[1]Limp mode: faults that cause it
- Difficult gear changes or unusual noises.[1][5]
How to diagnose P0704
In order: from the most likely and cheapest to check to the most expensive.
- 1Read the code with a diagnostic tool and, using live data, check that the switch status changes when you press and release the pedal. As an example on a Ford, DTCSearch says the switch parameter should go from 5 V to 0 V when the clutch is pressed.[1][3]
- 2Check the switch adjustment and make sure the pedal and its linkage are not worn.[1]
- 3Check the fuse for the clutch circuit.[1]
- 4Inspect the switch wiring, connectors and earth: look for damaged wires, short circuits or corrosion.[1][5]
- 5Test the switch with a multimeter and verify that it sends a signal when the pedal is pressed.[1]
- 6Check the clutch pedal position sensor and its circuit.[5]
- 7Replace the switch only if the tests confirm it is faulty. Then clear the code and do a road test to see whether it comes back.[1][5]
- 8If everything above is fine, check the engine control unit: it may need reprogramming or replacing.[1][5]
Can I keep driving with P0704?
Garage soon
Autodoc Club says you can keep driving, but it is not recommended: the engine usually runs in limp mode with reduced power, and safety functions such as start protection may be compromised. The car may also fail to start even with the clutch pressed. It should be repaired as soon as possible.[1]
Parts related to code P0704
The parts that most often cause this code. The code points to the circuit, not always the part: diagnose before you buy.
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Documented faults related to P0704
Known faults of specific engines and cars, with their repair cost, the affected years and their sources.
Clutch: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentPowerShiftJuddering, hesitation and slipping of the dry clutch (DPS6)Yes: the dry-clutch DPS6 judders, hesitates when pulling away and slips in a very large number of cars. Ford revised the clutch and software at least six times without fully solving it, and in the US a 2020 court settlement covered close to 600,000 Ford Fiesta and Focus cars.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentPowerShiftClutch pressure plate breakage (2018 and 2019 recalls on the Focus and C-MAX)Ford recalled the Focus III and C-MAX II with the Powershift gearbox over the risk of the clutch pressure plate breaking, in two successive campaigns (2018 and 2019) covering vehicles built between August 2012 and May 2018.
- High severityFrequency: CommonPowerShiftAccelerated wear of the wet clutch in the 6DCT450The 6DCT450, with its oil-bath wet clutch, tends to wear its clutches sooner than expected if the oil is not changed every 50,000-60,000 km; it affects the automatic diesel versions of the Mondeo, Kuga, S-MAX, Galaxy and some Focus models.Repair (garage): €1,800–€2,800
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentFord C-Max IIClutch pressure plate breakage in the PowerShift automatic gearboxThe PowerShift automatic gearbox, a dry dual-clutch unit with no torque converter, had two successive Ford campaigns on the C-MAX II for the risk of the clutch pressure plate breaking, which between them cover vehicles built from 2012 to 2018. Owners also document numerous clutch replacements out of warranty, some before 100,000 km.
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentFord Fiesta VIIJudder and clutch slip in the Powershift (DPS6) automatic gearboxThe Powershift (DPS6) automatic gearbox, a dry dual-clutch unit, has attracted many complaints of judder when pulling away, hesitation and clutch slip. Ford revised the clutch and software several times, and in 2020 a US court settlement also covered the Fiesta (2011-2016) alongside the Focus. In Spain it was sold with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine.
Manual gearbox: the most serious faults by engine and car
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonDSG7 DQ200Reverse and 6th gear selector fork bearing failureYes, mainly on 0AM units: the bearing that guides the reverse and 6th gear selector fork can wear and leave the fork unsupported, so that the car stops engaging those gears or loses reverse, with fault warnings in the instrument cluster.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW N47Dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)Yes: on manual-gearbox BMW N47s, the dual-mass flywheel can wear, especially after a lot of town mileage or driving in high gears at low revs; the typical symptoms are vibrations, a metallic rattle at idle and jerking when pulling away.Appears at around 150,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBMW M47Dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)On BMWs with the M47 engine and a manual gearbox, the dual-mass flywheel can wear with mileage, especially with a lot of urban use or long spells in high gears at low revs; typical symptoms are vibrations, a metallic rattle at idle and jerking when pulling away.Appears at around 150,000 km
- High severityFrequency: CommonMINI Cooper R56Noise and premature wear of the manual gearbox and clutchIt is the most frequently cited non-engine fault of the Cooper R56: the manual gearbox can become noisy, whine or be hard to get into gear through wear of the bearings and synchromesh, sometimes with an oil leak; the clutch and, on diesels, the dual-mass flywheel also wear out early.
- High severityFrequency: CommonOpel Astra JGear lever shudder and risk of M32 manual gearbox failureBefore the 2012 redesign, the Astra J's M32 manual gearbox (petrol turbos from the 1.4T and diesels) could signal an impending failure with a gear lever shudder when accelerating or braking; fiches-auto.fr records gearbox and clutch/flywheel faults in a noticeable proportion of its respondents.
Wiring, connectors and short circuits: the most serious faults by engine and car
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW N62 / N63Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fireIn 2011 BMW recalled 5, 6 and 7 Series, X5 and X6 models built between 2007 and 2011 because of the additional turbo coolant pump: moisture, a short circuit and, in extreme cases, a fire. In 2012 there was another campaign for a crack in the pump, with a more robust version.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Main relay of the power relay assembly (overheating and fire risk)Yes, on the first units: Hyundai and Kia recalled 2016–2018 Ioniq and Niro hybrids and plug-in hybrids because the main relay that connects the high-voltage battery could come loose, overheat and, in the worst case, cause a fire.
- Critical severityFrequency: Occasional1.6 GDi híbrido (Kappa)Clutch hydraulic actuator (HCA): leak or moisture with risk of short circuit and fireYes, this is the most documented hybrid system fault: the hydraulic actuator that engages the combustion engine with the hybrid assembly has had two recalls (2018 for a leak on the Niro and 2025 for moisture in its electronic board on the Niro, Ceed and XCeed PHEV), with a risk of short circuit and fire.
- High severityFrequency: Occasional1.3 TCeBlown fuel pump fuseOn the Renault Captur II and Clio V with the 1.3 TCe engine, a 20-amp fuse can blow and leave the car without an engine. According to L'argus, in April 2021 this fault still had no factory fix; the official service centre's diagnosis includes checking, and sometimes replacing, the catalytic converter.
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonRover 75Seat SRS connector fault with airbag and seatbelt warning light onAuto Express warns that the Rover 75's seat SRS connector can cause the airbags to fail, and dealers were fixing it with revised connectors. The Dutch APK inspection puts the airbag or seatbelt fault warning among the most frequent defects across almost all series.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAlfa Romeo GiuliettaShort circuit from badly routed wiring that can prevent gear shifting (KBA campaign, 2010-2015)Yes: according to Germany's KBA, on Alfa Romeo Giulietta cars built between 2010 and 2015 inadequate cable routing could cause a short circuit and, as a result, gear-shift failure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive with code P0704?
You can, but it is not recommended, according to Autodoc Club: the engine usually runs in limp mode and safety functions such as start protection may be compromised. It should be repaired as soon as possible.[1]
Why won't the car start with P0704?
Because the clutch switch signal is one of those that enables starting: according to TaT, that signal allows the engine to start, and Autodoc Club lists a car that will not start even with the clutch pressed among the symptoms.[1][2]
Can P0704 appear on a car with an automatic gearbox?
According to the sources consulted, the code applies to cars with a manual gearbox: Autodoc Club describes it in that context and TaT says it applies specifically to vehicles with a manual gearbox.[1][2]
What does P0704 have to do with cruise control?
The clutch switch tells the control unit when the pedal is pressed, and according to TaT that signal is also used to switch cruise control on and off. That is why a circuit fault can make cruise control switch off or not work, as Autodoc Club notes.[1][2]
Does P0704 mean the same on every make?
The definition does: it is a generic OBD-II code, and those starting with P0 are the same for all manufacturers. What changes is the exact criterion each control unit uses to set the fault and the reference values, as TaT and DTCSearch indicate.[2][3][4]
Will I pass the MOT with code P0704?
If the code has switched on the engine warning light, no: with that light on, the inspection records a serious defect, and on Euro 5 and Euro 6 cars the ITV (Spain's roadworthiness inspection, similar to the MOT) also reads the OBD diagnostic system. Repair the fault before you go; clearing the code just before the inspection does not help either, because it counts as a serious defect.[6]
Not sure what is wrong with your car? Describe what you notice in the symptom diagnosis or see all fault codes.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Código de avería P0704Autodoc Club · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
- P0704: Clutch Switch Input Circuit MalfunctionThe Automotive Technician (TaT) · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026
- P0704 DTC: Clutch Switch Input CircuitDTCSearch · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
- On-board diagnosticsWikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
- OBD DTC Fehlercode P0704CarWiki.de · Technical documentation · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
- Desmontando mitos: ¿puede pasar mi coche la ITV con el testigo de «avería motor» encendido?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 March 2021 · consulted 2 October 2026 · in Spanish