The input or turbine shaft speed sensor – a Hall sensor with square-wave output or an inductive sensor with sine output – reports the speed behind the torque converter. With output and engine speed it gives the actual gear ratio, converter slip and shift timing. P0716 means a signal is present but implausible: too high, or dropping suddenly without recovering. GM's 2025 modules count drops of more than 650 rpm between 25 ms samples and fail after more than three; the 6T70 in the Saab 9-4X flags a 1350 rpm drop for 1 s; the 2007 Allison 1000 also detects noise and swapped sensor wires; all after one trip. Ford's 6R80 flags turbine speed above 7700 rpm. The 6T70 then runs only reverse and fifth gear, with maximum line pressure and no converter clutch.
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
- Check engine and/or transmission warning lamp
- Limp mode with fixed gear (6T70: reverse and fifth only)
- Harsh or delayed shifts
- Torque converter clutch locked out
Most likely causes
- Loose contact or chafing in the sensor circuit
- Sensor faulty, wrong air gap or metal debris
- Reluctor wheel or clutch drum damaged
- Sensor wires swapped after repair or interference
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: hard
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0716 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- 7: Transmission
- 16: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0716?
Drive gently to a repair shop. If it slips, you hear clunks, or it loses its gears, do not keep driving.
What causes code P0716?
The most common causes are: loose contact or chafing in the sensor circuit; sensor faulty, wrong air gap or metal debris; reluctor wheel or clutch drum damaged.
Related codes
- P0715Input/Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor A Circuit
- P0717Input/Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor A Circuit No Signal
- P0718Input/Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
- P0721Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P0700Transmission Control System (MIL Request)
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 25OBDG03A
- saabwisonline.com: dtc p0716 or p0717
- newtonnet.co.uk: fordobd2012
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 07 GRP15 Allison 1000
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.