P0735 means Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio. In fifth gear, the ratio between input and output shaft speeds does not match what fifth gear should produce, which usually means a clutch or band applied in fifth 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 P0735 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.
P0735 symptoms
- Engine speed flaring in fifth gear
- Delayed or harsh shifts
- Limp mode
- Burnt fluid smell
Common causes of P0735
- Low or degraded fluid
- Worn clutch pack or band used in fifth gear
- A worn clutch pack that applies in fifth on five-speed and higher transmissions
- 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 P0735
- Check transmission fluid level and condition first
- Confirm both speed sensor signals are clean before trusting the ratio
- Watch input and output speeds in fifth gear on a scan tool
- Check line pressure with a gauge
- Inspect the pan for friction material and metal
Can you drive with P0735?
Limit driving: slipping in fifth gear builds heat and debris quickly.
P0735 tips
P0735 only appears on transmissions with at least five forward gears. Because higher gears share clutches with lower gears in many designs, check whether ratio codes for other gears are also stored; together they point to the shared clutch.
Will P0735 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 P0735 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 |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0741 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off |
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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