P0732 OBD-II: Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio

P0732 Severity

Urgent

Should you fix P0732 yourself?

Identifying an OBD code is just the start of a complete diagnostic routine. Most trouble codes are caused by a sensor reporting a value that is out of range. Just replacing a sensor may not fix underlying issues. Be sure to understand the code, the part or system in your car that the code refers to, and the risks of delaying professional repair.

Proper diagnosis will save you time and money on unnecessary repairs.

Urgent codes indicate immediate action is necessary. These are urgent and significant malfunctions that can cause severe damage to the vehicle or harm the driver and passengers.

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What causes OBD-II fault code P0732?

The Transmission is responsible for converting the power produced by the engine to movement of the vehicle. The transmission has its own control module (TCM). The TCM uses solenoids to control the fluid pressure that activates the different gears inside the transmission. If the TCM detects that the transmission is not going into second gear, it will set code P0732.

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What Does P0732 Code Mean?

OBD-II Code P0732 is defined as a Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio

The purpose of the automatic transmission is to match the engine's optimum power and torque characteristics to the driver's desired rate of acceleration and speed by auto-selecting different gear ratios or 'speeds' to power the wheels.

Code P0732 When the code P0732 is set in the Powertrain Computer, it means that the Powertrain Computer or PCM is seeing a greater than a specified RPM difference between the rotational speed of the Input RPM Sensor and the Transmission Output RPM Sensor when the vehicle is in 2nd gear. This can occur during shifting or when driving at steady speeds. It often implies that the transmission is slipping.

P0732 Symptoms

  • Check Engine Light will illuminate
  • Vehicle will not shift properly
  • Decrease in fuel economy
  • In unusual cases, there are no adverse conditions noticed by the driver
  • In some cases, there may be performance problems, such as dying when coming to a stop after driving on the freeway and/or misfire-like symptoms

Common Problems That Trigger the P0732 Code

  • Defective 2nd gear shift solenoid
  • Defective 2nd gear related gear set or clutch pack
  • Defective Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
  • Defective Valve Body
  • Dirty transmission fluid that restricts the hydraulic passages

Common Misdiagnoses

  • Engine Misfire problem
  • Internal Transmission problem
  • Driveline problem

Polluting Gases Expelled

  • HCs (Hydrocarbons): Unburned droplets of raw fuel that smell, affect breathing, and contribute to smog
  • CO (Carbon Monoxide): Partially burned fuel that is an odorless and deadly poisonous gas
  • NOX (Oxides of Nitrogen): One of the two ingredients that, when exposed to sunlight, cause smog

P0732 Diagnostic Theory for Shops and Technicians

When diagnosing a P0732 code, it is important to record the freeze frame information and then to duplicate the code setting conditions with a test drive. Pay close attention to the engine load, throttle position, RPM, and road speed because a P0732 can be difficult to detect.

One should monitor the RPM input speed and compare that to output speed RPM on a smooth, flat surface after the vehicle is warmed up and the fuel system is in a closed loop. Monitor how the 2nd gear solenoid configuration responds to an increased amount of throttle. The 2nd gear related solenoid should stay in 2nd gear and the transmission should NOT slip.

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