P0710 Trans Temp Sensor

[T4R_Finally]

I have a friend that just bought a 99 SR5 4x4 and he is getting a P0710 code with CEL. He had the vehicle checked out and was told the trans fluid is fine and at proper level and not overheating. So, we assume it's the sensor. I checked rockauto and 2 parts come up. Is there a better brand/part to use or one to stay away from? One is Airtex/Wells brand and the other is Standard Motor Products. Also, I assume this is a quick wrench job to swap it out. Will we lose any fluid when we do the swap?

 

[LittleCaesar]

Stick with OEM. Order it online from Camelback for free shipping. I think it runs $70 to $80.

I think one of the lines to the radiator for the ATF exchange may make it a PITA to change. It is right above it. I would think you would lose some fluid but not more than 1/2 quart.

I have often wondered if this sensor begins to fail causing the cold tranny shifting experienced by many here but have never taken the time to nor spend the money to find out.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Yeh well we know why this one is failing, or at least why it's failing now. When we took a peek, we see that the wires have been cut in two. Not sure if someone thought that would keep the code from coming back or if there is another reason. Apparently this vehicle was owned and sold by someone with a vindictive ex-girlfriend who used to drive this vehicle and wanted to keep it. But the upstream 02 sensor wire is right beside it and it wasn't cut. It was definitely cut on purpose - but by whom and why we don't know.

It does look like it will be a little bit of a pain to get a wrench on and the harness connection may require arms thinner than mine to reach to unplug and plug.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Vindictive and woman, two words that somehow mesh together quite easily to spell trouble for some man.

I will take a peek under mine tomorrow and maybe be able to give further input.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I looked closer tonight. I got the plug out if the harness but I can't find a tool in my box that will remove the sensor. That's a tight spot for a wrench. He will just take it to a pro with the right tools to swap it out. Shouldn't be more than an hour labor I wouldn't think.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I forgot all about it. I remember it looked to be a real bugger to get out. Let us know if it fixes the problem and the code can be cleared.

 

[the great him]

any update on this, i have been getting this code quite often recently... not sure if its due to my running hot or not, but my tranny temps have only been in the 220 or so range at the hottest, so i would not think that that should be tripping a fault code.

 

[the great him]

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anyone?

 

[mattman]

can you not splice the cut wires back together and see how it goes from there? or do you know for sure the sensor is bad?

 

[Anthrax]

sorry for bumping an old thread but whats the best way to go about replacing this sensor? Is it possible without removing that line next to it?

 

[Anthrax]

Here's a pic of the sensor. Theres a line right next to it

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Bumping this old thread...

My understanding is that this sensor provides a specific amount resistance when in normal operating range. When it is outside that resistance range it will set a CEL. Which is what happened to me. Ignored it and it actually self healed...for a while. Now it's back. I run a trans temp gauge so I'm not too concerned with whether it works, but I'd rather not have the CEL on which may mask another problem.

Anybody know what that resistance value is? Was thinking I'd just put a resistor on it, seal it up, and call it good.

Edit:
FWIW, this is what I've found so far

Resistance (approximately):
68°F = 13.0K ohms
230°F = 800 ohms

Gonna get a resister, cut off the leads at the sensor and see if that works. Worse case, I have to get a new sensor anyway

 

[phattyduck]

Bumping this old thread...

My understanding is that this sensor provides a specific amount resistance when in normal operating range. When it is outside that resistance range it will set a CEL. Which is what happened to me. Ignored it and it actually self healed...for a while. Now it's back. I run a trans temp gauge so I'm not too concerned with whether it works, but I'd rather not have the CEL on which may mask another problem.

Anybody know what that resistance value is? Was thinking I'd just put a resistor on it, seal it up, and call it good.

Edit:
FWIW, this is what I've found so far

Resistance (approximately):
68°F = 13.0K ohms
230°F = 800 ohms

Gonna get a resister, cut off the leads at the sensor and see if that works. Worse case, I have to get a new sensor anyway

That sensor is used to adjust shift timing and quality, so you don't want to delete it.

-Charlie

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

Figures, seemed too simple

FWIW. it still shifts the same with it having the fault. Don't know if it's because of an open, or just out of expected range though. May do some playing around, will report back for future generations...

 

[ricekrispyota]

1999 4runner 5VZ-E automatic 4wd

My kid recently moved up to Montana. A couple weeks ago his check engine light came on and the code was for the trans temp sensor. He let the truck sit for a couple days and when he turned it back on, the CEL was off. He drove the truck for about a week without issue. When he made the drive to Missoula last week, the CEL came on again with the same code. After sitting for a couple days, he drove the truck into town and the light turned off while he was driving. This morning he went to go to work, truck started fine but would not move in any gear. He said it felt like it was in neutral. He turned the truck off, but it wouldn't start, just cranked. He put a jump box on, the truck fired right up and moved like normal when he put it in gear. the trans is not leaking or slipping. He isn't hearing any strange noises and when it drives, it feels great according to him. The battery is over 5 years old and these issues just started two weeks ago.

Could these two issues be related? He has a new trans temp sensor ready to go in this weekend. Would a bad temp sensor cause the transmission to act like it's in neutral and then reset itself when the truck was turned off?

He started it up after work and the same issue occurred. No forward movement, but only in “D”. He moved in R 2 and L. After it ran for a couple minutes, it all the sudden started to work.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bad Luck]

1999 4runner 5VZ-E automatic 4wd

My kid recently moved up to Montana. A couple weeks ago his check engine light came on and the code was for the trans temp sensor. He let the truck sit for a couple days and when he turned it back on, the CEL was off. He drove the truck for about a week without issue. When he made the drive to Missoula last week, the CEL came on again with the same code. After sitting for a couple days, he drove the truck into town and the light turned off while he was driving. This morning he went to go to work, truck started fine but would not move in any gear. He said it felt like it was in neutral. He turned the truck off, but it wouldn't start, just cranked. He put a jump box on, the truck fired right up and moved like normal when he put it in gear. the trans is not leaking or slipping. He isn't hearing any strange noises and when it drives, it feels great according to him. The battery is over 5 years old and these issues just started two weeks ago.

Could these two issues be related? He has a new trans temp sensor ready to go in this weekend. Would a bad temp sensor cause the transmission to act like it's in neutral and then reset itself when the truck was turned off?

He started it up after work and the same issue occurred. No forward movement, but only in “D”. He moved in R 2 and L. After it ran for a couple minutes, it all the sudden started to work.

Any help is appreciated.

Have you verified the transmission fluid level? Check it on flat ground with the engine running and transmission in park (preferably with the transmission at operating temp).

 

[ricekrispyota]

Have you verified the transmission fluid level? Check it on flat ground with the engine running and transmission in park (preferably with the transmission at operating temp).

Trans fluid is good. Sits dead smack in the middle of the cold/hot lines when cold. Just below the hot line at operating temp.

My boy changed the battery on Friday and hasn't had any issue with moving since. Not sure if low voltage was causing the issue, but the mechanic swapping out the trans temp sensor is taking a look also. Was thinking it may be a clogged trans filter also, so that is getting swapped out too.