The transmission fluid temperature sensor is an NTC thermistor whose resistance falls as the fluid warms; the module feeds it with 5 V through a resistor. A low signal therefore means very hot or a short to ground, a high signal very cold or an open circuit. P0712 means the signal is too low – the sensor reads extremely hot, or the signal wire is shorted to ground. GM's 2025 transmission modules flag below 13.5 Ω for 5 of 6 s after two trips; the 2018 LT4 engine module below 17.88 Ω (over 150 °C) without MIL; the 2007 Allison 1000 150 °C or more for 2.5 s; Saab's AF40 over 200 °C; Ford below 0.05 V for 5–12 s without MIL. The module substitutes a value (coolant temperature, 80 °C or a hot mode) and may shift with hot-fluid strategy. Real overheating with a good sensor is P0218.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
Symptoms
- Transmission in hot mode (early converter clutch, changed shift points)
- Harsh shifts
- Extremely high fluid temperature shown
- Check engine or transmission lamp depending on manufacturer
Most likely causes
- Signal wire shorted to ground (internal harness, chafing)
- Sensor shorted internally
- Transmission actually severely overheated
- Control module faulty
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
What each character of P0712 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 12: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0712?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P0712?
The most common causes are: signal wire shorted to ground (internal harness, chafing); sensor shorted internally; transmission actually severely overheated.
Related codes
- P0710Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit
- P0711Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
- P0713Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit High
- P0714Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
- P0218Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Over Temperature Condition
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 25OBDG03A
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 18OBDG03A Engine Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 07 GRP15 Allison 1000
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0711 p0712 or p0713
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.