OBD codes / P0713
P0713
ModerateTransmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High
Drivable — the fault is electrical and the fluid temperature is fine. Expect slightly clumsy shifting and higher cruise RPM until it's fixed, and hold off on towing or heavy loads since the computer can't detect real overheating with this circuit open.
What this code means
P0713 is the mirror image of P0712: the voltage on the fluid temperature sensor circuit is stuck above its valid range, which usually means an open circuit — a broken wire, unplugged connector, or failed sensor. To the computer, an open temperature circuit reads as impossibly cold fluid, often the sensor's minimum reading, no matter how long you've driven. Like its sibling, this is an electrical fault rather than a real temperature problem. The consequence of a permanently 'cold' reading is that the transmission may stay in its cold-weather strategy: firmer or delayed shifts, late or absent torque-converter lockup, and slightly worse fuel economy. It also blinds the computer to genuine overheating, which matters if you tow or haul.
Symptoms you might notice
- Transmission temperature reads extremely cold regardless of driving
- Delayed or missing torque-converter lockup (higher cruise RPM)
- Firm or odd shifting that never settles into warm behavior
- Slightly worse fuel economy
- Check-engine light
What it costs to fix
Typical range: $60–$450 · about ~0.3–2 hrs of labor
| If the cause is… | Part | Labor |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid temperature sensor | $30–$150 | ~0.3–2 hrs |
| Wiring / connector repair | $10–$120 | ~0.5–1.5 hrs |
Sometimes this is as simple as a corroded or half-seated connector — nearly free. A sensor replacement is cheap in parts; the labor depends on whether the sensor is external or part of the internal harness under the pan.
The price swings on which cause it turns out to be — so confirm the cause before paying. Diagnose P0713 for my exact vehicle →
Frequently asked
Why does my transmission think it's freezing outside?
An open temperature circuit defaults to the sensor's coldest possible reading. The computer dutifully runs its cold-fluid strategy — firm shifts, delayed lockup — forever. A scan tool showing an impossibly low, unchanging temperature confirms the circuit is open.
Is P0713 the sensor or the wiring?
Either. An open circuit can be a broken wire, a corroded or unplugged connector, or a failed sensor element. The good news is an open is easy to trace with basic electrical testing, so you shouldn't pay for parts-guessing here.
Can I drive with P0713?
Yes, for normal commuting. The two costs of waiting are minor drivability quirks and — more importantly — no working overheat protection, so avoid towing and sustained hard driving until the circuit is repaired.
Will fixing P0713 improve my fuel economy?
Modestly, if the fault was delaying torque-converter lockup. A computer that thinks the fluid is always cold may hold off lockup, keeping cruise RPM higher than necessary. Restoring the real temperature reading lets the normal lockup strategy return.
Seeing P0713 on your car? Get a diagnosis specific to your exact year, make and model.
Diagnose P0713 for my vehicleRelated trouble codes
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Generic OBD-II reference. Manufacturer-specific behavior varies — confirm with a scan tool and, for safety-related codes, a professional inspection.