P0733 OBD-II: Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio
P0733 Severity
Should you fix P0733 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.
What causes OBD-II fault code P0733?
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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What Does P0733 Code Mean?
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.
P0733 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 P0733 Code
- Defective 3rd gear shift solenoid
- Defective 3rd 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
P0733 Diagnostic Theory for Shops and Technicians
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.
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