P0711 — Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
Moderate severityWhat it means
P0711 is stored when the engine control unit sees a fault involving the transmission fluid temperature sensor circuit. The transmission fluid temperature sensor lets the control unit protect the transmission and adjust shift timing and torque-converter lockup based on fluid temperature. A “range/performance” fault means the value is present but implausible — it does not agree with other sensors or expected conditions.
Common symptoms
- Readings that drift or disagree with related sensors
- Harsh or wrong-timed shifts
- Torque converter not locking up
- Transmission warning light
Likely causes
- Drifting, contaminated or aged sensor
- A mechanical issue skewing the reading
- A faulty fluid temperature sensor
- A wiring/connector fault or degraded transmission fluid
What to check first
- Cross-check the reading against related sensors in live data on a cold start
- Compare fluid temperature with engine temperature on a cold start in live data
- Inspect the connector and check fluid condition
Can you keep driving?
Drivable with care, but wrong temperature data can cause harsh shifts — diagnose soon.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of P0711?
The most likely cause is: Drifting, contaminated or aged sensor. Several other faults can set P0711 as well, so confirm the real cause with live data and the checks above before replacing any parts.
Can I just clear P0711 and keep driving?
Clearing P0711 with an OBD2 scanner turns the warning light off, but if the underlying fault has not been repaired the code will usually come back within a few drive cycles. Fix the cause first, then clear the code to confirm the repair worked.
How serious is P0711?
P0711 is a moderate-severity code. The car is often still drivable, but have it diagnosed soon — the underlying problem can get worse and it may fail an emissions test.
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