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 provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

DTC Descriptors

DTC P0711:  Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Performance

DTC P0712:  Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage

DTC P0713:  Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage

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

Circuit/System Description

The automatic transmission fluid temperature (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

P0711

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

P0711 - 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 vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or more for at least 5 minutes cumulative.
    • The torque converter clutch (TCC) slip is 120 RPM or more for at least 5 minutes cumulative.

P0711 - Condition 2

    • The engine coolant temperature is at least 70°C (158°F) and has changed by 55°C (99°F) since start up.
    • The vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or more for at least 5 minutes cumulative.

P0711 - Condition 3

    • The calc. throttle position is between 8 and 90 percent.
    •  The engine torque is 50 N·m (37 lb ft) or more.
    • The vehicle speed is 8 km/h (5 mph) or more.
    • The engine speed is greater than 500 RPM.

P0712

The engine is running for 5 seconds.

P0713

    • No ISS DTCs P0716 or P0717.
    • No OSS DTCs P0722 or P0723.
    • The engine is running for 5 seconds.
    • The output speed is 200 RPM or more for 200 seconds cumulatively.
    • The TCC slip speed is 120 RPM or more for 200 seconds cumulatively.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0711

One of the following condition occurs:

P0711 - Condition 1

The change in transmission fluid temperature is 2°C (4°F) or less when the TFT is -40 to +21°C (-40 to +68°F at start up for 80 seconds.

P0711 - Condition 2

The change in transmission fluid temperature is 2°C (4°F) when the TFT is 129-149°C (264-300°F) at start up for 80 seconds.

P0711 - Condition 3

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

P0712

The TFT sensor is greater than 150°C (302°F) for 12 seconds.

P0713

The TFT is less than -40°C (-40°F) for 1 minute and 20 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • DTCs P0711, P0712, and P0713 are Type C DTCs.
    • The transmission control module (TCM) freezes transmission adaptive functions.
    • The TCM calculates a default transmission fluid temperature based on engine coolant temperature, intake manifold air temperature, and engine run time.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0711, P0712, and P0713 are Type C DTCs.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Electronic Component Description for automatic transmission fluid temperature sensor information

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

  1. Perform the Transmission Fluid Check to verify correct fluid level and condition. The transmission fluid level should be within the crosshatch band and the transmission fluid should be red or dark brown.
  2. If the transmission fluid is low or discolored, refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid Filter and Seal Replacement .
  3. Drive the vehicle while observing the Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter with a scan tool. The Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter should rise by 3°C (5°F) or more.
  4. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

    Important: Additional DTCs may set when disconnecting the automatic transmission (AT) inline 20-way connector.

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the AT harness connector at the transmission.
  2. Install the J 44152 on the engine side of the AT inline 20-way connector.
  3. Ignition OFF, test for less than 10 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal M and ground.
  4. If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the TCM.
  5. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter is at -40°C (-40°F).
  6. If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal L for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the TCM.
  7. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal L and the low reference circuit terminal M. Verify the scan tool Trans. Fluid Temp. parameter is greater than 100°C (212°F).
  8. If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the TCM.
  9. If all circuits test normal, test the internal transmission wiring harness assembly and the TFT sensor.

Component Testing

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the AT harness connector at the transmission.
  2. Install the J 44152 to the 20-way connector at the transmission.
  3. Test for 3106-3923 ohms between the signal circuit terminal L and the low reference circuit terminal M of the transmission.
  4. If not within the specified range, test the circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If a circuit is shorted or open replace the internal transmission wiring harness assembly, if the circuits test normal, replace the TFT sensor.
  5. Test for infinite resistance between each terminal and the transmission housing/case.
  6. If not the specified value, test the circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If a circuit is shorted replace the internal transmission wiring harness assembly, if the circuits test normal, replace the TFT sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the repair.

    •  Wiring Harness Replacement
    •  Transmission Fluid Pressure Manual Valve Position Switch Replacement
    •  Control Module References for TCM replacement, setup, and programming