P0733 means Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio. In third gear, the ratio between input and output shaft speeds does not match what third gear should produce, which usually means a clutch or band applied in third gear is slipping. 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 P0733 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.
P0733 symptoms
- Engine speed flaring in third gear
- Delayed or harsh shifts
- Limp mode
- Burnt fluid smell
Common causes of P0733
- Low or degraded fluid
- Worn clutch pack or band used in third gear
- A worn or burnt clutch pack that applies in third, such as the 3-4 clutch on a 4L60E
- Low line pressure from a worn pump, a clogged filter or a pressure control fault
- A faulty input or output speed sensor giving a false ratio
How to diagnose P0733
- Check transmission fluid level and condition first
- Confirm both speed sensor signals are clean before trusting the ratio
- Watch input and output speeds in third gear on a scan tool
- Check line pressure with a gauge
- Inspect the pan for friction material and metal
Can you drive with P0733?
Limit driving: slipping in third gear builds heat and debris quickly.
P0733 tips
On the 4L60E, a burnt 3-4 clutch pack is a well-known failure that removes third and fourth gear and sets ratio codes such as P0733 and P0734. Low line pressure from a worn pump or a sticking pressure regulator often causes it.
Will P0733 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 P0733 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 |
|---|---|
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
Guides that help
- 4L60E rebuild or replace
- 4L60E upgrades
- transmission slipping
- transmission fluid color
- transmission rebuild vs replacement
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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