Gear selection in the power train of a motor vehicle

The positions of a gear selecting lever along two paths 101, 120 of a shift gate 100 are monitored by a first sensor (42, Figure 1) which transmits signals to a control circuit for an actuator of the gear shift mechanism. Path 101 is for controlling automatic shifting with standard positions R, N and D and path 120, attainable via position D, is for manual up/down shifting, M. Certain positions of the lever are also monitored and reported to the control circuit by one or more additional sensors S R and S N which influence the operation of the actuator in the event of failure of the first sensor. The ranges of lever movement 150, 151 detected by sensors S R and S N may overlap at 152 for improved sensitivity. Sensor S N may also sense range 153 and a further sensor may sense range 154. Various types of sensor are disclosed.