Tranny Temp Sensor Location (Got P0713)
 

I got the P0713 code last night while driving home.

While driving my Tranny Temp Gauge dropped to full cold (zero) and my Scangauge II showed a temp of 8321. The cooling fan ramped up and was blowing like crazy. I have read in other threads that the cooling fan spins up to create load on the engine to speed warming up, and I guess with the tranny temp sensor not reporting the ECU/PCM thought the engine was cold. I got the wrench light but the truck never entered limp mode and cruise control kept working. I checked all the fluid levels this morning and everything looks good. I drove the truck a few minutes around the block and the CEL was on and the wrench light was off. I scanned the ECU with the Scangauge II and found the P0713 code. I went ahead and cleared it since the tranny temp sensor seemed to be working today. The dash gauge was working like normal and my Scangauge II was showing normal temp.

Anyway, is the Tranny Temp Sensor located under the pan like on the 6.0L trucks or can you remove it external of the transmission? Trying to figure out what expense I am looking at to replace it myself or have the dealer do it.

Thanks for all the great info from all the posters! :-drink
Clint

They have to drop the pan. When that happened to my truck, it would work fine til it hit 140 deg F, then it would quit sending. I got the same symptoms you did. Mine was done under warranty (minus deductable), so I don't know what the cost would've been.

Thanks for the help! I spoke to my dealer and they said there are two temp sensors on the transmission, one internal and one external. I noticed that the code P0713 is TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE SENSOR 'A' HIGH INPUT. My dealer said he thought that was the external screw on sensor. Does anyone know that for sure?

Thanks again
Clint

I think another member here just had the same thing. It was in the pan. Do you have power train warranty left?

Have the SA look up the part number and then run it for warranty to see if it is covered.

Just had mine changed under warranty. They included 6 liters of fluid in the parts used. Tells me they dropped the pan to change it. Charged me for an additional 6 liters when doing the flush at the same time.

I'm at 105K miles so no powertrain warranty left. I made an appointment to bring it in and have the transmission serviced and have the temp sensor replaced. The transmission was last serviced at 60K miles. At least I'll get the fluid flushed and filter changed while it's having the temp sensor replaced. Thanks again for all the input!

In the end it was just like you guys said...at 140 degrees the sensor looses it's mind, and it was under the pan. My dealer did a full transmission service and plugged in the new $20 sensor whild they were there. Transmission flushed, pan screen/filter replaced, new fluid, and a sensor for $220. Overall pretty happy with the outcome. I had enough Ford Advantage Points built up from having my oil cooler replaced it didn't cost me anything out of pocket. Thanks to all that posted info for me!
Clint

What are Ford Advantage Points and how can I get some?

It's actually called Ford Advantage Rewards. The parts count and service desk usually have the little booklets sitting there. All you do is sign up and you earn 5% of however much you spend on parts or service. Like one of those club card for the grocery store. I think you get every 5th oil change free too. It's just a gas engine oil chance value but it comes off the price of a diesel oil change. Every little bit helps out...
http://owner.ford.com/servlet/mobile...OARSummaryPage

As it turned out I had to have the small wiring harness that goes between the tranny temp sensor and the top harness (above the valve body) replaced too. The dealer said it must have been pinched when the transmission was originally put together. $100 part.