P0700 – Transmission control system -malfunction
| Code | Fault Location | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|
| P0700 | Transmission control system -malfunction (Buy Part On Amazon) | Wiring, ECM/PCM/TCM |
We recommend Torque Pro
Table of Contents
- What Does Code P0700 Mean?
- What are the common causes of code P0700 ?
- What are the symptoms of code P0700 ?
- How do you troubleshoot code P0700 ?
- Codes Related to P0700
- Get Help with P0700
What Does Code P0700 Mean?
Years ago, the automatic transmission was simply controlled hydraulically. However, much like the engine itself, the automatic transmission has been significantly upgraded, including electronic monitoring and controls for every aspect of upshifting and downshifting. Today’s automatic transmission, up to ten speeds in some cases, can shift as smoothly or as powerfully as the driver demands, all while reducing wear and maximizing fuel economy and performance.
BMW 8 speed automatic transmission
Keeping track of the automatic transmission is the transmission control module (TCM), which may or may not be integrated in the engine control module (ECM), depending on vehicle. The TCM shares a number of signals with the ECM, such as engine speed (rpm) and throttle position (TPS), as well as a number of other signals, such as vehicle speed (VS or WSS), gear position, shift lever position, and shaft speed sensors. Using this sensor information, the TCM activates solenoid valves related to such automatic transmission components as clutches, brakes, torque converter lock, or pressure regulator.
If there is an automatic transmission control system fault, a transmission-specific DTC (diagnostic trouble code) will set in the TCM. Since there is no “Check Transmission Light,” the ECM sets an informational DTC P0700 and illuminates the MIL or CEL (malfunction indicator lamp or check engine light). Since DTC P0700 simply refers to a fault in the TCM, further diagnosis is necessary to determine the TCM DTC and the nature of the fault. Some scan tools may or may not be able to read TCM DTCs, depending on whether the automaker has opened them up to generic readers.
What are the common causes of code P0700 ?
Depending on year, make, and model, DTC P0700 may have number of causes. Here are some of the most common.
- Electrical Problems – As with all systems in the modern automobile, electrical and electronic signals need good wiring for proper transmission. Any fault, such as rodent damage, a disconnected connector, or corrosion, can interrupt these signals, leading to transmission control failures. (User Glen reports that speed bumps tend to loosen transmission relays and connectors on some Dodge/RAM/Chrysler vehicles.)
- Truck Oversize Tire Upgrade – The ECM and TCM are programmed, from the factory, taking into account a certain range of tire sizes. Upgrading to oversized off-road tires, for example, throws off the results that the modules are expecting, which they interpret as a fault.
- Worn Automatic Transmission – Everything wears out over time, which means that automatic transmission hydraulic clutches and brakes, sprag clutches, solenoids, and valves, can fail. Hydraulic fluid may slip past worn seals, brakes and clutches may slip, and solenoids can die, any or all of which can lead to a control failure.
- Chrysler Weak Battery – Some Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler ECM and TCM are particularly vulnerable to low voltage conditions. If the battery is weak, the system may interpret this as a failure, even if the car starts on its own. Make sure you have a good battery, 12.6 V minimum, and that the generator is working properly, at least 13.6 V when idling.
- Recent Repairs – Some modern ECM-TCM combinations cannot be mixed and matched. Replacing a TCM, even if it’s specified for your specific vehicle, may need to be programmed to work with yours, so it properly communicates with the rest of the system.
- Low ATF Level – Automatic Transmission Fluid is the life-blood of your transmission. Low fluid levels can lead to lack of pressure, so if the TCM commands a solenoid to close, there may be insufficient pressure to clamp a brake, for example. The result is that the brake slips, which the TCM detects as a fault.
- Specific Driving Conditions – Depending on road conditions, particularly slippery conditions, the TCM may interpret spinning tires as a transmission control fault. If you’ve been in the slow or off-roading, simply resetting the code may be the solution, as long as your adventures didn’t ruin anything else.
What are the symptoms of code P0700 ?
Aside from the MIL, and depending on the nature of the TCM failure, you may or may not notice any drivability problems. At a minimum, you’ll likely notice a drop in fuel economy. Most commonly, you’ll notice that the automatic transmission doesn’t seems to shift properly, perhaps taking too long to get into a certain gear, or harsh gear engagement it does shift. The automatic transmission may have a hard time maintaining the right gear, failing to downshift one acceleration, for example, or taking too long to upshift when speed would normally warrant it.
In some cases, the automatic transmission can cause major drivability issues, such as stalling the engine when coming to a stop, or it may induce engine misfire-like symptoms, such as rough idle or poor acceleration. Major failures in the automatic transmission may lock out certain gears, so you may be left with 1st and Reverse, for example.
How do you troubleshoot code P0700 ?
Since DTC P0700 is an informational code, you will need a scan tool that can access the TCM, though not all scan tools can read the TCM, even if it is integrated in the ECM.
Codes Related to P0700
If DTC P0700 is set in the ECM, look for other TCM-related DTCs to continue your diagnosis of the failure. Related ECM P-codes may include, but is certainly not limited to, the following:
- P0218 Transmission Over Temperature Condition
- P0613 TCM Processor
- P0614 ECM/TCM Incompatible
- P0706 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P0715 Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
- P0720 Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
- P0729 Gear Ratio Error in 6th Gear
- P0730 Incorrect Gear Ratio Error
- P0731 Gear Ratio Error in 1st Gear
- P0732 Gear Ratio Error in 2nd Gear
- P0733 Gear Ratio Error in 3rd Gear
- P0734 Gear Ratio Error in 4th Gear
- P0735 Gear Ratio Error in 5th Gear
- P0736 Gear Ratio Error in Reverse
- P0740 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction
- P0750 Shift Solenoid A Malfunction
- P0755 Shift Solenoid B Malfunction
- P0760 Shift Solenoid C Malfunction
- P0765 Shift Solenoid D Malfunction
- P0770 Shift Solenoid E Malfunction
Newer vehicles, using the CAN (Controller Area Network) protocol, may have the following communications DTCs set, which would indicate a fault in proper communication between the ECM, TCM, and other modules in the vehicle. These may include:
- U0101 Lost Communication With Transmission Control Module
When diagnosing DTC P0700, take your time. Automatic transmissions can be notoriously finicky when it comes to identifying their faults.
Help Us Help You
Please comment below describing your issue as well as the specifics of your vehicle (make, model, year, miles, and engine), and one of our mechanics will respond as soon as possible. We appreciate a $9.99 donation via the payment button below.
I have found out on my Ram 1500 and Chrysler sebring that going over speedbumps loosens transmission relays and fuses. Check them first.
Glen-
An excellent suggestion. Thank you! (I’ve added that information to the article to help others.)
-Ben
I have a 01 pt cruiser and I believe that the transmission making a whining noise? Anyways I can fix it? Or should I junk it? It started whining then stalling. Plz help
Hello
My 2004 Town & Country 3.8 engine. Is giving P0700 and its switching gears for a few miles till it warms up. Then stuck in 1st gear. I have not driven or 30 mph. I just got it from an auction and didn’t test code it til after I bought it.
I put 1 at of Tran fluid and 3 ways of oil.
I do not see any leaks top or bottom. What should I do first to possibly get it fixed without replacing entire trans. I want this vehicle pretty bad to work. But if I have to pay 2000 grand I would buy another caravan. Thank you in advance for advice.
Il y a des soucis avec la boite automatique problème Chevrolet Cativa 2012 j’ai fait le diagnostic elle m’a écrit p0700 et quand il fait chaud ça ne bouge pas le matin c’est en marche arrière mais ça ne bouge pas
I have a 2016 Chevy spark LS ccodes p0700 transmission ,lite comes on an if i drive Long distance it comes on off short distance ,will it blow transmission, fluids been changed an flushed shift great
hi I have a 2007 suzuki forenza and I just replaced the O2 sensor now the check engine light is on and it is giving me a P0700 code. Also, when I am driving all of a sudden the car does a jerking motion (like it pulls) 3 times every once in a while. Do you have any ideas what it could be?
I have a 04 Chevy 2500hd 6.6 lb7 the trany had the sensors were replaced about 2 years ago and last year a new engine was put in the tranny will go into gear sometimes but here lately more and more times it comes up as shift range inhibited in checking the codes it gives me a 700 871 841-872-846 most of the time if I turn the truck off and restart it sometimes once sometimes more times then it will finally start working sometimes it acts like it’s in stuck in 3rd gear noun for the first time I couldn’t get it to go into gear at all until after we started towing it home then it started working right any ideas
P0700 06 jepp commander 4×4 4.7lt
Carlos-
You’ll need to take it to a Jeep specialist, at least someone with a scanner capable of reading the TCM codes. P0700 only tells you there’s a TCM DTC, but not what it is.
-Ben
Hello All. I’m hailing from Chicago and I currently have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. I just recently had my coolant changed and 2 days later I noticed a small puddle of coolant on the ground after the vehicle sat over night. I couldn’t identify where the fluid was coming from so I asked around and I was told of a possible water pump failure so I changed that part and re pressurized/bled the system of air. The next day I noticed that the leak was still there except more fluid was on the ground. After check this time, there was fluid sprayed all over the front passenger wheel well. While driving about 35mph on a Saturday, I felt a “thump” while driving and the check engine light came on. After that the car started immediately acting weird when shifting the lower gears( High RPMS barely any acceleration, hesitant to reverse, etc) I went to have the code read at autozone. The code was P0700 so he told me I would have to go to an actual transmission shop to have it read further as this was a generic code. I took it to a transmission shop to have the codes read and the the following TCM codes came back in this order on the paper I was giving. 1) U0002(CAN C bus off performance), 2) P0730(Incorrect gear ratio), 3) P0731(Gear ratio error in 1st), 4) P0732( Gear ratio error in 2nd), 5) U1409(Implausible left front wheel speed signal received), 6) U140C(Implausible rear wheel signal received)….Without doing anything past the diagnostic scan and checking the fluid, He told me there was a slight leak of the trans cooler lines and that the trans needed to be rebuilt, but the guy in the shop couldn’t tell me how much I would be charged because “the numbers guy wasn’t there.” All he knew was that the labor total would be $995. Already I was confused because I didn’t understand how he knew the total labor price without know what exactly needed to be fixed and the time it would take. So he wanted me to just leave it there. I refused until I knew a ball park of what the total to fix the vehicle was, so he said the guy who does the numbers will call or email me later when he got in, maybe in a day or two, never happened. Called back two days later and was told they would get back to me Monday and never did.
Its been over a week now and I have note driving it since taking it to that shop. After read around a bunch of forums, I’m not convinced that my trans needs replacing/rebuilding like that guy told me. So now I am here to ask your opinions. What should I do next to get this issue diagnosed, fixed and solved? Any help would be Greattttttt!. Thanks in advance
Ouch! Yea, I know what you’re talking about being freaked out by “the numbers guy,” but the “you need a transmission rebuild” is jumping the gun unless someone’s actually diagnosed it (to a hammer, everything is a nail)! So it seems like we’ve got multiple issues that we need to get sorted out. Right off the bat, don’t go back to that transmission shop.
I’m leaning toward wiring problems for a couple of these codes, so I’m wondering if everything is properly connected? The U-codes in particular speak to electrical or electronic problems. Also, I’d take a close look at transmission fluid level and condition – add ATF if necessary and use the right ATF (there is no such thing as universal ATF). I’m not sure if this truck has a separate transmission cooler or just the one that goes through the radiator? The radiator ones can leak back and forth.
This is complicated, to be sure, but we might be able to weed out unnecessary stuff. Also, was the coolant leak ever resolved?
-Ben
I have a 2012 chevy equinox 2.4L AWD that has a p0700 code. I got a good code reader and found it also has p076f and p077c. Low voltage to input and output shift solenoids. All DTC’s came on at the same time. I have changed both solenoids and still have the same trouble codes. Any suggestions?
I have a 2006 dodge ram 1500 4.7l.. My reverse works fine and i can manually shift from 1st to drive.. The codes are p0700 and p0750..
Im having an issue with my 08 dodge avenger. I have just over 100k miles on it. I had it checked today and am getting an error code of p0700. There has never been a check engine light on. I am having the issue of occasionally loosing power randomly while driving but more often when in traffic at idle. RPMs are steady at 650 till they dip as low as 300 or so. It happens so intermittently that I can go for a week with no issues then bam! I recently replaced the battery due to my low voltage. Prior to the battery change when in idle position the car would actually die. Please help! I am not one who could afford a new tranny. Oh one more thing, the code that they got p0700 was said to be that the engine rpms are not matching the tranny rpms. could that be tps sensor?
My car ( 2001 BMW 325 Auto) goes into limp mode (MIL and ASC light ON) when I shift to Drive and press the gas pedal . I then get p2121 and p1765. Clearing the code does not fix the problem.
A mech already changed ATF, cleaned the shift selector on the tranny and also cleaned the throttle body. Im still getting the same limp mode issue.
But one time I disconnected the negative cable off the battery and left it disconnected overnight. The following day the problem went away after the 2nd start. However the problem reoccur after a couple of days. Grrr what could the problem be?? .. Please help.
ps: I also get P0444 but I think that’s fuel evap issue?
06 Cobalt 186,xxx, symptoms first started by singing and showing power steering in the data center followed by RPM, speedometer, and gas gauges jumping erratically. Replaced Power Steering Assist Module. Did not happen again for about another 1,000 miles (TN to FL and around). Issues are back but this time with hard shift into reverse when first started up, then hard shifts from 1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd, and 3rd to 4th. Transmission ONLY shifts this hard after power steering flashes in the dash. Cobalt has always had normal scheduled maintenance. Took car to get codes read after a couple of times that the CEL came on. Threw codes U0073 and P0700. Grounded the TCM to the body but the suggestion was made to me to try grounding to the transmission as well. Don’t feel to safe with that one. TCM looks as if it was replaced before in my possession. I need some guidance as I am lost and this is my husband’s daily work driver.
jeep compass 2007,give obd2 code of P0700,P0777,P0118 and P0032.The car starts but not moving after over heating.