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. P0713 means the signal is too high – the sensor reads extremely cold, or the circuit is open or shorted to positive. GM's 2025 modules flag above 284 kΩ for 5 of 6 s after two trips; the 2007 Allison 1000 −45 °C or below for 2.5 s; Saab's AF40 below −43 °C; Ford above 4.6 V for 5–12 s without MIL. Many require prior running time or a warm engine so a genuine −40 °C cold start does not count (Allison: coolant above 20 °C; Saab: over 10 minutes of driving). The transmission then stays in its cold strategy: open converter clutch, late upshifts.
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
- Fluid temperature shown around −40 °C
- Converter clutch stays open, late upshifts
- Higher fuel consumption
- Check engine or transmission lamp depending on manufacturer
Most likely causes
- Transmission connector loose or corroded, wire open
- Sensor open internally
- Signal wire shorted to positive
- 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 P0713 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 13: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0713?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P0713?
The most common causes are: transmission connector loose or corroded, wire open; sensor open internally; signal wire shorted to positive.
Related codes
- P0710Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit
- P0711Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
- P0712Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low
- P0714Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
- P0700Transmission Control System (MIL Request)
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 25OBDG03A
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 07 GRP15 Allison 1000
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0711 p0712 or p0713
- newtonnet.co.uk: fordobd2012
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.