GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2004 🢒 ION 🢒 DTC 🢒 DTC P0736

Circuit Description

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

If the TCM detects an incorrect reverse gear ratio, indicating excessive slip or drag within the transmission, then DTC P0736 sets. DTC P0736 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, P0985 or P0986.
    • No engine torque DTC P1781.
    • No throttle position DTC P1791.
    • The ignition voltage is 10.5-18 volts.
    • The engine run time is 5 seconds or greater.
    • The transmission temperature is 20°C (68°F) or greater.
    • The transmission is not in PARK or NEUTRAL.
    • The elapsed time since the most recent range change is 8 seconds or greater.
    • The engine torque is 55-350 N·m (41-258 lb ft).
    • The throttle position (TP) is 10 percent or greater.
    • The output shaft speed is 500 RPM or greater after shifting into reverse.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The TCM commands reverse and the actual gear ratio is not within 2.50:1-3.75:1 for 6 seconds:

Action Taken When the DTC Sets
    • The TCM does not request the engine control module (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 ECM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The ECM stores this information as Freeze Frame and Failure Records.
    • The TCM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The TCM stores this information as Failure Record.
    • The TCM stores DTC P0736 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.
    • The TCM clears the MIL when the condition no longer exists.
    • 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, exceeding the trailer towing limit, or towing in DRIVE (D).

Test Description

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

  1. This step determines that shift solenoid 4 or the U1 shift valve is stuck if the TCC applies in 2nd gear and stalls the engine.

    2.

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

    3.

  3. 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

Inspect for correct transmission fluid level. 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 19

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 REVERSE (R) and record the gear ratio while accelerating.

Is the reverse gear ratio within the specified range?

3.68:1-5.52:1

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

Go to Step 5

5

Drive the vehicle in 2nd gear.

Does the engine stall when the transmission shifts into 2nd gear?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 6

6

  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 7

Go to Step 15

7

  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 8

Go to Step 14

8

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

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 9

--

9
  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 13

Go to Step 11

10

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 16

Go to Step 12

11

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 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 16

Go to Step 12

12

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

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 16

13

Inspect the following items:

    • Direct clutch (C2) (556)
    • Low and reverse clutch (B3) (26)
    • 1-2, reverse clutch (B5) (620)

Refer to Forward and Direct Clutch Assembly Assemble , Front Internal Gear and Low and Reverse Clutch Installation , and 1-2 Reverse Clutch Assemble .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 17

--

14

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

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 19

--

15

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

Is the replacement complete?

--

Go to Step 19

--

16

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

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 18

--

17

Repair or replace the transmission. Refer to Transmission Replacement .

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 18

--

18
  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 19

--

19

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 P0736.

Has the test run and passed?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 2

20

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