P0700 Trouble Code: A Complete Guide

Have you heard about P0700? How much knowledge of this code do you have? Owning or driving a car poses a lot of technical details sometimes. It behooves the owner or driver to get acquainted with some of these technical specifications.

Maybe you have not heard of this code before coming in contact with this post. Or perhaps you have had but do not have an in-depth insight into what it means and how it can be used. Here is a free complete guide to the P0700 code.

The P0700 code is one of the most common codes for OBD2 trouble. As small as it looks, it can ground your vehicle and render it useless if you don’t pay attention to its attendant effects. In this post, you will learn the meaning, what’s causing it, the symptoms you should look out for, and how to diagnose it properly.

What is a P0700 code?

The P0700 code is a universal code that applies to vehicles that are fitted out with OBD-II. It is the transmission regulation system malfunction module is in the automatic transmission. The code is informational and usually points not to a specific or direct fault but a general fault. Let’s say you notice a malfunction in your vehicle transmission control system; the check engine light usually goes on. In a bid to prevent further damage, your vehicle will automatically go into failsafe mode. However, you can always check your vehicle to identify a particular problem with an OBD2 scanner, and the P0700 code refers to this actual problem.

Now, to correctly figure out the problem, you will need to have acquired a tool that can communicate with the transmission control module and determine what is wrong with the transmission. With the P0700 code present, the malfunction indicator lamp might light up, and you will probably have transmission shift issues, which can also make the engine stall.

What are the Causes of the P0700 Code?

Usually, to fix any problem, you have got to figure out what’s causing the situation in the first place. There are several reasons why transmission malfunction may occur.

Here are a few causes of the P0700 code:

Damaged Transmission Control Module

The transmission control module, including all its actuators and sensors, monitors your vehicle transmission. Now, these devices pay attention to the functionality of all your vehicle transmission to ensure that all is well and working appropriately. However, if the transmission control module is faulty, errors could be displayed even when there is absolutely nothing wrong with the vehicle.

Problem with the Transmission Valve Body

Your vehicle transmission works by channeling fluid to all vehicle engine parts to help accelerate and shift gears. The transmission valve body functions as the nerve center of the transmission to ensure that the right amount of fluid is channeled to where it needs to be. So, a problem with this transmission valve will definitely lead to breakdowns within the transmission and will eventually cause the P0700 error code to display.

Problem with the Shift Solenoid

The component in charge of controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid inside the vehicle’s transmission is the Solenoid. This component helps you shift gears, and when there is a breakdown with the Solenoid, it can lead to complications with the fluid and your vehicle’s transmission in general. With this breakdown, you should be expecting the P0700 code to appear.

Open Wiring Harness

The latest design of vehicles is designed to rely on different electrical systems to power their transmission and its sensors. Now, when there is a short wire or an open connection, your vehicle is sure to malfunction.

Now that we have fully understood the causes behind the P0700 code, let’s quickly move on to the signs you should look out for.

P0700 Code: Signs & Symptoms

Because the transmission is essential to your vehicle’s functionality, you will go the further length to identify what went wrong to ensure it doesn’t get really bad and completely ruin the engine. Regrettably, the check engine light that goes on does not really offer the primary specifics, so you have to read further to understand these symptoms.

Faulty Gas Mileage

Did you notice that your vehicle’s fuel tank keeps running out faster than usual? Well, it could be that your transmission is not working as efficiently as it should, which will make your vehicle burn more gas to accelerate. Transmission is always the first suspect once you have a malfunctioning gas mileage indicator. Typically, a failing odometer will take a faulty reading, and the car will fail to run at peak efficiency level.

Bad gas mileage may be caused by a number of other factors, including bad oxygen sensors, spark plugs, bad driving habits, and bad fuel injectors. The P07000 transmission issue must be looked into when your odometer fails to work.

Shift Issues

Another cause of the P0700 code is the shift issue. Typically, the transmission takes the responsibility of handling your vehicle’s gears. When the fluid is not flowing correctly via the valve body, you will notice that the car takes longer to shift to a higher gear. In that case, you will

Dying or Stalling Engine

With the transmission failing, the engine fails as well. Your vehicle may stall due to this problem, but as I stated earlier, the latest designs of cars will go into failsafe mode. This could kill the engine to prevent the engine from further damage.

Once the shift solenoid is damaged, the gear shifting becomes choppy, delayed, and rough, preventing you from downshifting even while your engine revs. Your vehicle’s transmission will stick in a neutral position.

Dirty Transmission Fluid

Dirty transmission fluid is bad because dirt-riddled fluid can quickly wear down some components of your vehicle’s transmission at a rate faster than normal. Dirty transmission fluid is contaminated with pieces of metals and particles, preventing the transmission from garnering energy to build up hydraulic pressure that will be enough for gear shifting.

Dirty transmission fluid gives rise to a mysterious rattle, whirring or whining noise, leaking, burning smell, issue with gear shifting, noisy neutral, and others.

Diagnosing Code P0700

We have seen the causes and understood the symptoms, and now you need to read through to be able to identify the specific problem. For proper diagnosing, follow these simple steps.

1. Make use of an OBD2 Scanner

Let’s say you notice your vehicle stalling out or irregularity in shifting, it doesn’t really mean that there is a transmission problem with the vehicle’s transmission control system. What you want to do is scan to find the P0700 code, as this helps to be sure of the problem. Also, you should keep in mind that this P0700 code can also lead to other engine problems, so why run the scan, and prepare for extra work if your car is in bad shape?

2. Wipe the Code & Run a Test Drive

Before you start touching the engine, you should be sure that the P0700 code wasn’t just a fluke. So, ensure that you clear up all of the OBD2 codes and then take the vehicle for a test drive. After the test drive, if the check engine light comes back on, also check if the codes return as well.

3. Examine the Transmission

Before concluding, you should look out for any visible damage, including the valve body and the solenoid transmission. Also, you should re-examine all wiring points to ensure that the wires are correctly connected.

4. Use the Live Scan Feature

Now, this is the last resort if all visual inspections don’t find any issues. You will have a switch to the Livescan feature to find out what’s really going on inside the transmission. The live scan feature will definitely help you figure out if the problem is mechanical or electrical.

How To Fix The P0700 Code

Once the problem has been identified, your vehicle mechanic can now execute proper repairs, and these fixes include the following:

1. Change the Transmission Control Module

Once you discover that the P0700 code comes up, the first thing to do is to quickly replace the transmission control module (TCM). The power of TCM in your is critical to the extent that its damage or refusal to change it can lead to a more serious issue. Don’t waste any time changing your car’s TCM.

2. Replace any Damaged Wires

Another component to quickly replace once the P0700 code raises its ugly head is to replace all the faulty or corroded wires in your car. Apart from causing sparks, damaged wires can escalate the P0700 and cause further damage.

3. Repair the Transmission Valve Body

The transmission valve body is critical to the proper functioning of your vehicle’s overall transmission. In fact, it is the center that controls the automatic transmission in your car. Once the valve body is damaged, the chance for movement of the hydraulic fluid through the various passages and channels becomes blockaded.

So, it will become difficult for fluid to get to the valves for the activation of a suitable clutch pack. Besides, with a damaged transmission valve body, there will be a visible lack of smooth gear shift to the proper gear as you drive along under different conditions.

4. Fix the Damaged or Malfunctioning Solenoid

Solenoid is not a component to overlook when it comes to fixing the P0700. With a shift solenoid, hydraulic fluid can flow in and out of transmission by opening and closing the valves. Typically, this component is controlled by the computer and activated electronically. The shift solenoid serves to allow your car’s transmission system to optimize its functionality and work efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does fixing a transmission control module cost?

There is no cast-in-stone answer to this all-important question. The cost of replacing or fixing a transmission control module varies, depending on the technician fixing it or the model of the module you are buying. However, you should set something apart in the region of $50 to $1,300 as the cost of replacing your vehicle transmission control module.

Q: What exactly is the Transmission Control Module (TCM)?

As the name suggests, a transmission control system (TCM) is an automotive system that receives data from several sources from your car’s engine sensors, processes the data as input, calculates the time and manner of gear shifting, as well as generates quality indicators that help to achieve this shifting in the transmission. Typically, the transmission control module (TCM) is equipped with software that aids vehicle performance and power optimization. TCM also enhances fuel efficiency while ensuring quality gear shifts.

Q: Can I drive my vehicle with a bad transmission control module?

Without mincing words, the direct answer to that question is NO. Driving a vehicle with a damaged transmission control module can inflict great and irreparable damage on the electrical and wiring systems in your vehicle transmission. The problems associated with transmission control mode include being unable to shift correctly, which could lead to an accident.

Final Thoughts

The fact is that your vehicle’s transmission is an essential component that must be appropriately taken care of if you want to keep your vehicle in good shape. Technically, your vehicle’s transmission control module may not need replacement. However, you need to repair and replace the control module once it is damaged.

Therefore, identifying and fixing the P0700 code will save a lot of vehicle trouble and expenses. Sometimes, fixing this code requires that you hire the service of a technician or professional repairman. With this post, you have the complete guide to P0700 code.

P0700 Trouble Code: A Complete Guide

What is a P0700 code?