P0713 — Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit High
Moderate severityWhat it means
P0713 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 “high” reading means the signal is pinned near the top of its range — often an open circuit, a lost ground, or a short to voltage.
Common symptoms
- The live reading sits abnormally high or maxed out
- Harsh or wrong-timed shifts
- Torque converter not locking up
- Transmission warning light
Likely causes
- Open signal or ground wire
- Signal wire shorted to a voltage supply
- A faulty fluid temperature sensor
- A wiring/connector fault or degraded transmission fluid
What to check first
- Check for an open circuit or missing ground at the sensor connector
- 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 P0713?
The most likely cause is: Open signal or ground wire. Several other faults can set P0713 as well, so confirm the real cause with live data and the checks above before replacing any parts.
Can I just clear P0713 and keep driving?
Clearing P0713 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 P0713?
P0713 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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