P0712 means Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low. The fluid temperature sensor signal voltage is low, which reads as very hot fluid or a shorted circuit. It is a generic OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on any make, but the most likely cause varies by engine; confirm with a scan tool and the service information for your vehicle before buying parts.
What P0712 means
Electronically controlled automatics are run by a transmission control module (TCM), a separate box or part of the engine computer. It reads speed sensors, the range sensor and fluid temperature to decide when to shift, and drives solenoids that apply clutches and the torque converter clutch. Many basic code readers only show the generic P0700; a scan tool that reads the transmission module shows the specific fault. Check fluid level and condition first, since low or burnt fluid causes many transmission codes.
P0712 symptoms
- Harsh shifts
- Converter clutch locking early or limp mode
- Fluid temperature reading very high
Common causes of P0712
- Shorted sensor or wiring
- Damaged internal harness
How to diagnose P0712
- Compare the scan reading with real fluid temperature
- Check for shorts to ground
- Check the internal harness
Can you drive with P0712?
With caution; confirm the fluid is not really overheating.
P0712 tips
If the sensor reads very hot right after a cold start, the circuit is shorted. If the fluid really is that hot, stop towing and check the fluid level and cooler.
Will P0712 clear itself?
If the fault stops, the computer turns off the check engine light by itself after several drive cycles without seeing it again, and the code stays in memory as history for a while. Clearing P0712 with a scan tool after a repair is fine, but if the cause is still there the code returns, sometimes within one drive. Disconnecting the battery also clears codes on most vehicles, but it erases learned fuel trims and idle settings as well.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| P0710 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit High |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
Guides that help
When it is more than a sensor
If the fault turns out to be internal (worn clutches, a failed converter or a damaged valve body), compare a rebuild with a replacement in transmission rebuild vs replacement and transmission replacement cost, identify your unit with what transmission do I have?, and browse our transmissions.
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