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P0733 Severity
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.
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 third gear, it will set code P0733.
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OBD-II Code P0733 is defined as a Gear 3 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 P0733 When the code P0733 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 3rd gear. This can occur during shifting or when driving at steady speeds. It often implies that the transmission is slipping.
When diagnosing a P0733 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 P0733 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 3rd gear solenoid configuration responds to an increased amount of throttle. The 3rd gear related solenoids should stay in the 3rd gear configuration and the transmission should NOT slip.