GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2003 🢒 ION 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0733

Circuit Description

The transmission control module (TCM) calculates gear ratio based on data from the transmission input shaft speed (ISS) and output shaft speed (OSS) sensors. The TCM compares the calculated gear ratio to the known gear ratio for each commanded gear.

If the TCM detects an incorrect 3rd gear ratio, indicating excessive slip or drag within the transmission, then DTC P0733 sets. DTC P0733 is a type A DTC.

Conditions for Running the DTC
    • No TR switch DTC P0705.
    • No TFT DTCs P0711, P0712, or P0713.
    • No ISS DTC P0717.
    • No OSS DTC P0722.
    • No engine speed DTC P0727.
    • No TCC DTC P0741.
    • No solenoid DTCs P0962, P0963, P0966, P0967, P0970, P0971, P0973, P0974, P0976, P0977, P0979, P0980, P0982, P0983, P0985, or P0986.
    • No engine torque DTC P1781.
    • No throttle position DTC P1791.
    • No CAN DTCS U2104 or U2105.
    • The brake switch is released.
    • The ignition voltage is 10.5-18 volts.
    • The transmission temperature is greater than 20°C (68°F).
    • The transmission is in a forward range.
    • The elapsed time since the most recent range change is 8 seconds or greater.
    • The throttle position (TP) is 10 percent or greater.
    • The engine speed is at least 400 RPM.
    • The commanded gear has been 3rd for 0.5 seconds or greater.
    • The transmission output shaft speed (OSS) is 500 RPM or greater.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The TCM commands 3rd gear and the actual gear ratio is not within 1.52:1-2.26:1 for 12 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The TCM requests the ECM to illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
    • The TCM turns the Trans. Protection Mode ON. When the Trans. Protection Mode is ON, the following conditions occur:
      • The transmission will operate in 5th gear when the transmission is shifted into D or I range and 2nd gear when shifted into L range.
      • The line pressure is at maximum.
      • The torque converter clutch (TCC) is disabled.
      • The TCM freezes the transmission adaptive functions.
    • The TCM requests the ECM to limit engine torque to 150 N·m (111 lb ft).
    • The TCM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The TCM stores this information as a Failure Record.
    • The TCM stores DTC P0733 in TCM history.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC
    • The ECM turns off the MIL after the third consecutive drive trip in which the TCM does not send a MIL illumination request.
    • A scan tool can clear the DTC.
    • The TCM clears the DTC from TCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without an emission-related diagnostic fault occurring.
    • The TCM cancels the DTC default actions when the ignition is OFF long enough in order to power down the TCM.

Diagnostic Aids

Ask the customer about overloading the vehicle, or exceeding the trailer towing limit.

Test Description

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

  1. This step determines that shift solenoid 2 or the M2 shift valve is stuck if the 3rd gear ratio is 1.45:1.

    2.

  2. This step determines that shift solenoid 4 or the U1 shift valve is stuck if the 3rd gear ratio is 2.89:1.

    3.

  3. This step determines if the output shaft speed sensor signal is skewed by a large factor.

    4.

  4. This step determines if the input shaft speed sensor signal is skewed by a large factor.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls in Engine Controls - 2.2L (L61)

2

Perform the Transmission Fluid Checking Procedure. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check .

Is the transmission fluid level correct?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 3

3
  1. Visually inspect the transmission cooling system for fluid leaks. Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis .
  2. Repair leaks as necessary.
  3. Fill the transmission to the proper fluid level.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 4

4
  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.

    3. Important: 

       • Before clearing the DTC, use the scan tool in order to record the ECM and the TCM Failure Records. Using the Clear Eng./Trans. DTC Info function erases the Failure Records from the ECM and TCM.
       • Using the Clear Eng./Trans. DTC Info function erases stored DTCs in both the ECM and TCM.

  3. Record the DTC Failure Records.
  4. Clear the DTC.
  5. Use the scan tool snapshot mode in order to record commanded gear and gear ratio.
  6. Drive the vehicle in DRIVE (D) and record the gear ratio while accelerating in 3rd gear.

Is the 3rd gear ratio within the specified range?

1.52:1-2.26:1

Go to Intermittent Conditions in Engine Controls - 2.2L (L61)

Go to Step 5

5

Is the 3rd gear ratio equal to the specified value?

1.45:1

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 6

6

Is the 3rd gear ratio equal to the specified value?

2.89:1

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Drive the vehicle.
  2. Observe Transmission OSS with a scan tool.
  3. Compare with a known good vehicle.

Is Transmission OSS reading correctly?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 20

8

  1. Stop the vehicle and apply the parking brake.
  2. Place the gear selector in PARK (P).
  3. Allow the engine to idle.
  4. Observe Transmission ISS with a scan tool.

Is Transmission ISS within the specified range?

400-800 RPM

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 19

9
  1. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
  2. Command shift solenoid 1 ON and OFF with a scan tool.

Does shift solenoid 1 click when commanded ON?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 21

10

Command shift solenoid 3 ON and OFF with a scan tool.

Does shift solenoid 3 click when commanded ON and OFF?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 22

11

Command shift solenoid 5 ON and OFF with a scan tool.

Does shift solenoid 5 click when commanded ON and OFF?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 23

12

Perform a line pressure test. Refer to Line Pressure Check .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 13

--

13
  1. Remove the control valve body cover (29). Refer to Control Valve Body Cover Removal .
  2. Inspect the inside of the control valve body cover (29) for excessive sediment.

Did you find excessive amounts of sediment?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 16

14

Inspect the control valve body assembly (39) for the following conditions:

    • Stuck 2-3, 3-4 shift solenoid valve assembly (S2) - light gray (308)
    • Stuck M2 shift valve (426)

Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble .

Did you find any of the above conditions?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 17

15

Inspect the control valve body assembly (39) for the following conditions:

    • Stuck 3-4, 4-5 shift solenoid valve assembly (S4) - blue (303)
    • Stuck U1 shift valve (386)

Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble .

Did you find any of the above conditions?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 17

16

Inspect the control valve body assembly (39) for the following conditions:

    • Stuck M1 shift valve (389)
    • Stuck U1 shift valve (386)
    • Stuck U2 shift valve (392)
    • Stuck shift pressure relay valve (424)
    • Stuck neutral relay valve (356)
    • Stuck line pressure control solenoid valve assembly (SLT) (316)

Refer to Control Valve Rear Body Disassemble and Control Valve Body Disassemble - Middle .

Did you find any of the above conditions?

--

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 17

17

Has the control valve body been serviced within the past 3 months or 4,828 km (3,000 mi)?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 24

18

Inspect the following items:

    • 3rd gear band (B4) (16)
    • Forward clutch (C1) (552)

Refer to Third Gear Band Assembly Installation and Forward and Direct Clutch Assembly Assemble .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 25

--

19

Replace the input shaft speed sensor (73). Refer to Input Speed Sensor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

20

Replace the output shaft speed sensor (62). Refer to Output Speed Sensor Replacement .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

21

Replace the reverse, 1st shift solenoid valve assembly (S1) - black (310). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

22

Replace the 1-2, 2-3, reverse shift solenoid valve assembly (S3) - dark gray (300). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

23

Replace the reverse shift solenoid valve assembly (S5) - green (305). Refer to Control Valve Body Assembly Disassemble .

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

24

Repair or replace the control valve body assembly (39). Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

25

Repair or replace the transmission. Refer to Transmission Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 26

--

26
  1. Replace the transmission fluid. Refer to Transmission Fluid Replacement .
  2. Inspect for the correct level of transmission fluid.
  3. Add new fluid as necessary.

    4. Important: The Reset Trans Adapts function will clear all adapt cells. This may affect transmission performance. The TCM will update the adapt cell values as the vehicle is driven.

  4. Use the scan tool in order to perform the following:
    5. • Reset oil life monitor to 100 percent.
    • Reset Trans Adapts.

Did you complete the above procedures?

--

Go to Step 27

--

27

Perform the following procedure in order to verify the repair:

  1. Select DTC.
  2. Select Clear Info.
  3. Operate the vehicle.
  4. Select Specific DTC.
  5. Enter DTC P0733.

Has the test run and passed?

--

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 2

28

With the scan tool, observe the stored information, capture info and DTC info.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs that you have not diagnosed?

--

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List in Engine Controls - 2.2L (L61)

System OK