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 P0716: Turbine Input Speed Sensor Performance

DTC P0717: Turbine Input Speed Low

Circuit/System Description

The transmission turbine speed sensor is a permanent magnet surrounded by a coil of wire that is mounted to the transmission case. This sensor is positioned next to the PTO drive gear or tone wheel that is attached to 1-2-3-4-5-6 Clutch Piston Housing. The housing rotates with the torque converter turbine so that the gear teeth on the PTO or bars on the tone wheel cross the magnetic field and generates an AC current. The voltage output and frequency generated by the sensor will vary as the gear or tone wheel changes speed. The speed sensor signal wires are twisted to cancel magnetically induced fields. The TCM changes the speed sensor analog signal into a digital signal.

Conditions for Running the DTC

P0716

    • DTCs P0717, P0721, or P0722 are not active.
    • A shift is not in progress.
    • The engine speed is between 200-7500 RPM.
    • The range attained is not neutral.

P0717

    • DTCs P0721, P0722, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, and P0736 are not active.
    • A shift is not in progress.
    • The engine speed is between 200-7500 RPM.
    • The range attained is not neutral.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

P0716 Condition 1

The DTC will set if an unrealistic change in turbine speed is observed.

P0716 Condition 2

The DTC will set if a noisy turbine speed signal is detected.

P0717 Condition 1

The DTC will set if an unrealistic change in turbine speed is observed.

P0717 Condition 2

The DTC will set if the TCM detects an unrealistic low value of turbine speed when the output speed is greater than 500 RPM.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

P0716

    • The TCM requests the ECM to illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The transmission locks in current range.
    • While diagnostic response is active, if the shift selector is moved to NEUTRAL, the transmission will shift to NEUTRAL. If the shift selector is moved to REVERSE, the transmission will shift to REVERSE. If the shift selector is moved to a forward range, the transmission will shift to fourth range.
    • The TCM inhibits torque converter clutch (TCC) engagement.
    • DTC P0716 is stored in TCM history.

P0717

    • The TCM requests the ECM to illuminate the MIL.
    • The transmission locks in current range.
    • While diagnostic response is active, if the shift selector is moved to NEUTRAL, the transmission will shift to NEUTRAL. If the shift selector is moved to REVERSE, the transmission will shift to REVERSE. If the shift selector is moved to a forward range, the transmission will shift to fourth range.
    • The TCM inhibits TCC engagement.
    • DTC P0717 is stored in TCM history.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

DTCs P0716 and P0717 are Type A DTCs.

Diagnostic Aids

You will have to drive the vehicle in order to experience a condition.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Automatic Transmission Controls Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Transmission General Description
    •  Transmission Component and System Description
    •  Electronic Component Description

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 38522 Variable Signal Generator

Circuit/System Verification

  1. Engine running, transmission in PARK, use the scan tool to observe the turbine speed while varying the engine speed. The transmission turbine speed parameter should vary with the engine speed.
  2. Operate the vehicle within the Conditions for Running the DTC to verify the DTC does not reset. You may also operate the vehicle within the conditions that you observed from the Freeze Frame/Failure Records data.

Circuit/System Testing

    Note: You must perform the Circuit/System Verification first.

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the turbine speed sensor connector.
  2. Connect the J 38522 generator to the turbine speed sensor circuit, terminals A and B.
  3. Adjust the J 38522 generator to 30 V, frequency to 1K Hz and duty cycle to 50 percent.
  4. Ignition ON, engine OFF, use a scan tool to verify the Turbine Speed parameter is between 900 to 1000 RPM.
  5. If not the expected value, check the turbine speed signal and ground circuits for an open/high resistance, short to ground, or a short to voltage. If circuits test normal, replace the TCM. Refer to Control Module References for TCM replacement, setup, and programming.
  6. Test or replace the turbine speed sensor. Refer to Speed Sensor Replacement.

Component Testing

Static Testing

    Note: You must perform the Circuit/System Testing first.

  1. Ignition OFF, remove the turbine speed sensor. Refer to Speed Sensor Replacement.
  2. Test for resistance between terminal A and terminal B of the turbine speed sensor. See the Speed Sensor table, refer to Temperature Versus Resistance.
  3. If not within the specified range, replace the speed sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Wiring Harness Replacement
    •  Speed Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for TCM replacement, setup, and programming

Repair Verification

If another DTC is present, refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List - Vehicle and perform the appropriate diagnostic procedure.