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P0712: Transmission fluid temperature sensor: circuit low

The control unit sees too low a voltage from the gearbox oil temperature sensor, usually from a wire shorted to earth or a shorted sensor.

Code P0712 at a glance
CodeP0712
SystemEngine and transmission
GroupP07xx, Transmission
TypeGeneric: it means the same on every make
Can you keep driving?With care

What P0712 means

The transmission fluid temperature sensor tells the control unit how hot the automatic gearbox oil is. It uses that figure to adjust how smooth the shifts are and to decide when to lock the torque converter. This code means its signal voltage is below the possible range. In most designs that makes the control unit read an extremely high temperature that is not real.

Most common causes

  • Oil inside the gearbox connector bridging terminals
  • Sensor wire chafed and touching earth
  • Shorted sensor
  • Damaged internal gearbox harness
  • Transmission control unit fault (uncommon)

Symptoms

  • Engine or gearbox warning light on
  • Harsh or late shifts, especially when cold
  • Slightly higher fuel use because the converter does not lock
  • Limp mode on some cars

Can you drive with P0712?

With care You can drive, but with a false temperature reading the shifts can be harsh and the gearbox works harder. Have it checked soon and avoid towing or hard driving.

Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation

How to check it

If your scanner shows the gearbox oil temperature, watch it live: after the car has stood overnight it should be close to the engine and outside temperature, then rise gradually as you drive. If it shows a very high temperature on a cold car, the fault is electrical.

How to read and clear P0712 with Final OBD

Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0712 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.

This code is usually stored by the gearbox control unit. If the car reports it over standard OBD, you read it for nothing with FREE; to read it straight from the gearbox control unit, with its description and clearing, you need PRO.

Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.

Similar codes

What does code P0712 mean?

The transmission fluid temperature sensor tells the control unit how hot the automatic gearbox oil is. It uses that figure to adjust how smooth the shifts are and to decide when to lock the torque converter. This code means its signal voltage is below the possible range. In most designs that makes the control unit read an extremely high temperature that is not real.

Can you drive with P0712?

You can drive, but with a false temperature reading the shifts can be harsh and the gearbox works harder. Have it checked soon and avoid towing or hard driving.

How do you clear P0712?

With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0712 comes back.