The P0713 – Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High. This code implies the TCM (transmission control module) has detected a high voltage signal from the transmission fluid temperature sensor as indicating a transmission fluid temperature that is too hot.
Possible causes include: Faulty temperature sensor, wiring problem, transmission problems.
What Does Code p0713 Mean?
DTC P0713 stands for “Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit High Input.”
Your vehicle uses a TFT sensor to determine shift points, line pressure, and torque converter clutch control.
This sensor is located in the transmission valve body within the transmission oil pan. On just about every transmission, the TFT sensor is either part of the solenoid pack or the valve body harness rather than being serviced separately.
Transmission fluid has different heat/cold properties than engine oil in that it expands quite a bit when hot.
While transmission fluid expands with heat (as does coolant), the viscosity of transmission fluid doesn’t change as much as engine oil.
Potential Causes of a p0713 Code
TFT Sensor
The transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor is important for measuring the temperature of transmission fluid.
If the sensor malfunctions by sending an erroneous high voltage signal, it will result in a high temperature reading, thereby activating the P0713 diagnostic trouble code (DTC).
Wiring Problems
Faulty wiring can create difficult wiring conditions for the sending unit to send/receive its signals, resulting in incorrect temperatures being reported to the TCM via the connector P0713.
Transmission Issues
Sometimes trouble codes like P0713 are caused by other problems within the transmission itself, such as damage to the sensors or internal problems that affect the electric contact, making good contact to measure transmission fluid temperature.
p0713 Code Symptoms
- Symptoms of a P0713 engine code may include the following.
- Illuminate the check engine light.
- Improper torque converter clutch operation.
- Harsh or delayed shifts. Vehicle stuck in limp mode.
How to Fix the P0713 Code?
There are a number of reasons that could cause the P0713 code in your car. Depending on the make and model, the fixes could be different, but here are a few things you can try.
When diagnosing, refer to the manufacturer’s diagnostics flow chart for your vehicle’s operating parameters.
Visual Inspection
Start with a simple visual inspection of the transmission fluid temperature sensor and all of the wiring attached to it.
Repair any loose connections, damaged wiring, or visible damage to the sensor. If you did find and repair any of these possibilities, clear the code and see if it comes back.
Preliminary Circuit Test
For a preliminary check, monitor the transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor data parameter with a scan tool. Disconnect the TFT sensor and refer to your scan tool to see if the value has changed. Now connect a jumper wire across the terminals and check the scan tool again.
If it shows a very high temperature, your connectors are okay, and the problem lies not with the circuit or power control module (PCM), but with the sensor.
TFT Sensor Test
If you suspect that the problem is with the TFT sensor, disconnect it from the connector. Pick up a digital multimeter that’s set to ohms and measure the resistance across the two terminals on the sensor. Keeping your eye on the meter values, start the engine.
As the engine warms up, the values of the TFT resistance are supposed to decrease steadily along with it. Watch the engine temp gauge on the dashboard as well to ensure the engine reaches the correct operating temperature.
If the TFT resistance does not decrease as the engine warms, that means that the sensor is faulty and must be replaced. This should clear the P0713 code.
Circuit Check
If the TFT sensor isn’t at fault, you’ll want to do a circuit check. Inspect the reference voltage side of the circuit. Turn your ignition on before doing so. Have your digital multimeter set to volts and check for a five-volt reference from the PCM at one of the TFT sensor’s two terminals.
If there’s no sign of a reference signal, turn the ignition off and switch your multimeter to ohms. Attach the meter to the reference voltage pin on the TFT and the reference voltage pin on the PCM.
If you see that you have an open circuit between the PCM and the sensor, the meter will display out of limits (OL). You’ll need to locate this circuit and repair it in order to fix the code.
If, on the other hand, the meter shows a numeric reading, meaning you’ve got continuity, check if five volts is coming out of the PCM’s reference voltage terminal.
If you don’t have a five-volt reference, you’ll know that the PCM is at fault and in need of repair.
Circuit Ground Side Check
To check the ground side of the circuit, switch your multimeter to ohms and make sure your ignition is off.
Connect your meter to the ground terminal of the TFT sensor and the PCM. If you get an OL reading, you have an open circuit between the PCM and the sensor. Locate and repair this open to eliminate the P0713 code.
If your meter is showing a numeric value, there is continuity. Check that the PCM has a good ground by connecting one lead from the meter to the PCM ground terminal. Connect the other lead to chassis ground. An OL is not good and indicates an open circuit between the PCM and ground that must be repaired.
If all these check out, the problem is most likely with the transmission. Any other codes being read that are associated with trans codes can help you look for trans issues.
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a p0713 Code?
Expect to pay from $100 to $300 to fix a P0713 code. The majority of this is labor to access and replace the sensor itself, and a replacement sensor usually costs from $20 to $50.