An informal term for the gear selector or the dashboard display showing the shift positions of an automatic transmission. The name comes from the standard sequence of Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, and Low. Mechanics often use it to refer to the neutral safety switch or the transmission range sensor that tells the computer which gear is selected.
Heard on the job
The cluster is blank and it won't crank, so check the PRNDL switch on the side of the transmission.
Insider tip
Pronounced "prindle" by technicians, usually when talking about the electronic sensor that reports the shifter position.
Also heard as
- prindle