GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Diagnostic Instructions

    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provide an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0711:  Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Performance

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

TFT Sensor Signal

P0712

P0713

P0713

P0218, P0711

Low Reference

--

P0713

--

P0218, P0711

Typical Scan Tool Data

Trans. Fluid Temp.

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Operating Conditions: Engine running in PARK, normal operating temperature

Parameter Normal Range: Varies near coolant temperature

Trans. Fluid Temp.

150°C (304°F)

-40°C (-40°F)

-40°C (-40°F)

Circuit/System Description

The TFT sensor is a negative coefficient thermistor. When the transmission fluid is cold, the sensor resistance is high. As the transmission fluid warms up, the sensor resistance decreases. This diagnostic monitors the TFT sensor circuit. The circuit may be functional but not in the normal operating range. This diagnostic indicates stuck, erratic, intermittent, or skewed values, resulting in reduced system performance. The TFT sensor range is -40 to +150°C (-40 to +304°F).

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • No ECT DTC P0117 or P0118.
    • No ISS DTC P0716 or P0717.
    • No VSS DTC P0722 or P0723.
    • DTC P0711 has not passed this ignition cycle.
    • The TFT is -39 to +149°C (-38 to +300°F).

Condition 1

    • The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is at least 70°C (158°F) and has changed by 55°C (99°F) since start-up.
    • The TFT is between -40 and +21°C (-40 and +70°F).
    • The vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or greater for at least 5 minutes cumulative.
    • The TCC slip is 120 RPM or greater for at least 5 minutes cumulative.

Condition 2

    • The ECT is at least 70°C (158°F) and has changed by 55°C (99°F) since start-up.
    • The TFT is between 128 and 150°C (262 and 302°F).
    • The vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or greater for at least 5 minutes cumulative.

Condition 3

    • The calc. throttle position is between 8 and 90 percent.
    •  The engine torque is 50 N·m (37 lb ft) or greater.
    • The vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or greater.
    • The engine speed is greater than 500 RPM.
    • The ECT is between -40 and +150°C (-40 and +302°F).

Conditions for Setting the DTC

Condition 1

    • Torque converter clutch (TCC) slip speed is greater than 120 RPM for 300 seconds (5 minutes) cumulative.
    • The TFT is between -40 and +21°C (-40 and +70°F) at start-up.
    • The TFT has changed by less than 2.0°C (3.6°F).

Condition 2

    • The TFT is between 128 and 150°C (262 and 302°F) at start-up.
    • The TFT has changed by less than 2.0°C (3.6°F).

Condition 3

The change in TFT is 20°C (68°F) or less after a predetermined time.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTC P0711 is a type C DTC.
    • The transmission control module (TCM) freezes transmission adaptive functions.
    • The TCM calculates a default TFT from the ECT sensor and the IAT sensor.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTC P0711 is a type C DTC.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

DTC Type Reference

Powertrain Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Type Definitions

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Special Tools

J 44152 Jumper Harness (20 pins)

Circuit/System Verification

Drive the vehicle while observing the Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter on the scan tool. The Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter should rise by 3°C (5°F) or greater.

Circuit/System Testing

  1. Start the engine and observe the Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter on the scan tool. Drive the vehicle while observing the Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter. The Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter should rise by 3°C (5°F).
  2. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. does not rise by 3°C (5°F), turn OFF the ignition.
  3. Disconnect the automatic transmission 20-way inline connector. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF. Observe the Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter on the scan tool. The Trans. Fluid Temp. should display -40°C (-40°F).
  4. If the Trans. Fluid Temp. is -40°C (-40°F), replace the TFT sensor.
  5. Using a DMM, measure the voltage on the TFT sensor signal circuit on the engine harness side of the automatic transmission 20-way inline connector and ground. The voltage should be near 5 volts.
  6. If the voltage is not near the specified value, repair the open or high resistance in the TFT sensor signal circuit. If an open or high resistance is not found, test the TCM.
  7. Measure the voltage between the TFT sensor signal circuit and the low reference circuit at the automatic transmission 20-way inline connector. The voltage should be near 5 volts.
  8. If the voltage is not near the specified value, repair the open or high resistance in the low reference circuit.
  9. Using the J 44152 jumper harness (20 pins), measure the resistance between the TFT sensor signal circuit and the low reference circuit at the transmission side of the automatic transmission 20-way inline connector. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor and Temperature Versus Resistance - Intake Air Temperature Sensor for the 3.6L engine or Temperature Versus Resistance for the 3.8L engine or Temperature Versus Resistance for the 5.3L engine. The resistance should be between the specified range for the given temperature.
  10. If the resistance is not within the specified range for the given temperature, replace the TFT sensor.

Component Testing

  1. Disconnect the automatic transmission 20-way inline connector and measure the resistance between the TFT sensor signal circuit and the low reference circuit. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor and Temperature Versus Resistance - Intake Air Temperature Sensor for the 3.6L engine or Temperature Versus Resistance for the 3.8L engine or Temperature Versus Resistance for the 5.3L engine for resistance values.
  2. If the resistance is not within the specified range for the given temperature, replace the TFT sensor.
  3. Test the TCM for supplying the 5-volt reference circuit to the TFT sensor.
  4. If the TCM is not supplying a 5-volt reference to the TFT sensor, replace the TCM.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

Fluid Temperature Sensor Replacement

Control Module References for TCM replacement, setup, and programming

Wiring Harness Replacement