Also known as (TRS) Transmission Range Sensor & (NSS) Neutral Safety Switch (DTR)
Mounts externally on the top of the transmission case
OEM Part No.
F5TZ-7A247AA
This sends information to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) that in turns sends control signals to the transmission.
If the engine computer gets bad info than it's extremely likely it's going to send bad control info to the transmission.
Luckily, it is not very expensive and a rather 'easy' replacement.