GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 106729  Size: MF

Circuit 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 circuit. The circuit may be functional, but not in the normal operating range. This diagnostic indicates stuck, erratic, intermittent, or skewed values, indicating poor system performance. The TFT range is -40 to +151°C (-40 to +304°F).

If the PCM detects an intermittent voltage or no voltage change in the TFT sensor circuit, then DTC P0711 sets. DTC P0711 is a Type B DTC.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

    • No VSS DTCs P0502 or P0503 are set.
    • The System Voltage is 10-16 volts.
    • The TFT sensor voltage is 0.2-4.92 volts.
    • The transmission fluid temperature at start-up is -40 to 21°C (-40 to 69°F).
    • The engine run time is more than 5 minutes.
    • The vehicle speed is greater than 8 km/h (5 mph) for 7 minutes cumulative.
    • The TCC slip is greater than 120 RPM for 7 minutes cumulative.
    • The engine coolant temperature is more than 70°C (158°F).
    • The engine coolant temperature has changed by 50°C (90°F) since start-up.
    • One of the following fail cases must be true.

Fail case 1: The change in transmission fluid temperature is less than 1.5°C (2°F) since start-up for 7 minutes.

Fail case 2: The change in transmission fluid temperature is greater than 20°C (36°F) within 0.2 seconds and 14 times within 7 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The PCM turns on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) after 2 consecutive ignition cycles with a failure reported.
    • The PCM disables shift adapts.
    • If the Engine Run Time is less than 3 minutes and:
       - Intake Air Temperature (IAT) DTC P0112, P0113, P1111, or P1112 is set, then the default TFT is 0°C (32°F).
       - No IAT DTC is set, then the default TFT is set to the IAT saved at start up.
    • If the engine run time is greater than 3 minutes, and an Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) DTC P0117, P0118, P1114, or P1115 is set, then the default TFT is 131°C (268°F).
    • If the engine run time is greater than 3 minutes, no ECT DTC is set, and:
       - The ECT is less than 45°C (113°F), then the default TFT is 12°C (54°F).
       - The ECT is greater than 115°C (239°F), then the default TFT is 131°C (268°F).
       - The ECT is 45-115°C (113-239°F) and:
   • The IAT DTC P0112, P0113, P1111, or P1112 is set, then the default TFT is set to equal the ECT.
   • The IAT at start up is less than 0°C (32°F), then the default TFT is set to ECT minus 10°C (18°F).
   • The IAT at start up is greater than 28°C (82°F), then the default TFT is set to ECT plus 10°C (18°F).
   • The IAT at start up is 0-28°C (32-82°F), then the default TFT is set to equal ECT.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • The PCM turns OFF the MIL after three consecutive ignition cycles without a failure reported.
    • A scan tool can clear the DTC from the PCM history. The PCM clears the DTC from the PCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without a failure reported.
    • The PCM cancels the DTC default actions when the fault no longer exists and the ignition is OFF long enough in order to power down the PCM.

Diagnostic Aids

    • Inspect the wiring for poor electrical connections at the PCM. Inspect the wiring for poor electrical connections at the transmission 20-way connector. Look for the following problems:
       - A bent terminal
       - A backed out terminal
       - A damaged terminal
       - Poor terminal tension
       - A chafed wire
    • Test the TFT sensor at various temperature levels to evaluate the possibility of a skewed (mis-scaled) sensor. Refer to Temperature vs Resistance .
    • When diagnosing for an intermittent short or open, massage the wiring harness while watching the test equipment for a change.
    • Inspect the transmission 20-way connector for transmission fluid.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step ensures that the transmission fluid is at the proper level. Low fluid may cause this DTC to set.

  2. You must clear the DTC before running this test. This test is best performed from a cold start. If the DTC does not set, road test the vehicle as instructed in step 12. If the TFT defaults to a calibrated value, proceed to step 4.

  3. Perform this test in order to detect an intermittent condition. If the transmission fluid is warm, the voltage will rise slowly. A rapid rise or drop in voltage, caused by massaging the harness, indicates an open or short.

  4. Perform this step in order to detect an intermittent condition in the transmission harness. The resistance value must be recorded as soon as the Digital Multimeter (DMM) is set on MAX. If an open or short to ground occurs, the display indicates a resistance higher than the recorded value. You must use J 39200 J 39200 Digital Multimeter (DMM).

  5. This step detects a short together of circuits 1227 and 452. The DMM displays a resistance lower than the recorded value.

DTC P0711 Automatic Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range and Performance

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to A Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Has the transmission fluid checking procedure been performed?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Fluid Check Procedure

3

  1. Install the Scan Tool ®.
  2. With the engine OFF, turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.
  3. Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool in order to record the Failure Records for reference. The Clear Info function will erase the data.

  4. Record the DTC Failure Records.
  5. Clear the DTC.
  6. Start the engine. Allow it to idle.
  7. Monitor the TFT, the ECT, and the IAT sensor temperature values.
  8. Refer to items 1 through 5 under Action Taken.

Does the TFT Sensor Temperature default to a calibrated value?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 12

4

  1. Turn the engine OFF.
  2. Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.
  3. On the scan tool, select TFT Sensor Volts.
  4. Massage the engine harness, the PCM connectors C1 and C2, and the Transmission 20-way connector.
  5. Observe the display.

Does the TFT voltage indicate an unrealistic change when you massage the harness and connectors?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Disconnect the Transmission 20-way connector.
  2. Using Connector Test Adapter Kit J 35616-A connect the J 39200 Digital Multimeter (DMM) from terminal L to terminal M.
  3. Set the J 39200 Digital Multimeter on MIN/MAX.
  4. Record the resistance value.
  5. Massage the transmission harness and TFT Sensor connector.

In the MAX position, does the J 39200 Digital Multimeter display a value higher than the recorded value?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

In the MIN position, does the J 39200 Digital Multimeter display a value lower than the recorded value

--

Go to Step 8

--

7

Repair circuits 1227 or circuit 452 of the engine harness. Refer to Electrical diagnosis, Section 8.

Did you find and correct a condition?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

8

Inspect the Automatic Transmission Wiring Harness.

Did you find a short to ground, a short together, or an open?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

Replace the Automatic Transmission Wiring Harness. Refer to Automatic Transmission Wiring Harness Replacement.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

10

Replace the Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor. Refer to TFT Sensor Replacement.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

11

Replace the PCM. Refer to PCM Replacement/Programming Section 6.

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 12

--

12

In order to verify your repair, perform the following procedure:

  1. Select DTC.
  2. Select Clear Info.
  3. Operate the vehicle under the following conditions:
  4. • TFT Sensor voltage is 0.200-4.920 volts.
    • The TFT change is greater than 3°C (5°F) since start up.
    • The TFT change is less than 20°C (36°F) in 0.200 seconds.
    • The above conditions must be true for 7 seconds.
  5. Select Specific DTC. Enter DTC P0711.

Has the test run and passed?

--

System OK

Begin the diagnosis again. Go to Step 1