A control system for an electric shift apparatus for a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission (24). The apparatus includes a power module (34) and a control module (36). The power module (34) includes an electric motor (38) driving the transmission mode select shaft (30). The control module (36) includes a logic module (36b) and a shift selector module. The logic module (36b) when the selected new shift position is only one position away from the present transmission position, functions through the motor (38) to move the mode select shaft (30) at a relatively slow speed and, when the requested position is more than one position away from the present transmission position, initially moves the mode select shaft (30) at the relatively rapid speed and thereafter, as the mode select shaft (30) reaches a position within one position of the requested position, moves the mode select shaft (30) at the relatively slow speed to ensure accurate positioning of the mode select shaft (30) without overshoot.