P0715 – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes

What Does Code P0715 Mean?

• P0715 definition: Malfunction in the transmission input/turbine speed sensor circuit
• Issue Severity: SEVERE – Stop driving immediately 
• Repair Urgency: Fix this code immediately (same day if possible) to avoid internal engine or transmission damage.
• Diagnosis: This trouble code can put the vehicle into a fail-safe mode that causes harsh gear changes and possibly cause the vehicle to not accelerate at all. The vehicle may not be driveable with this code present.

Code P0715 is triggered when the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) detects an irregular signal coming from the input/turbine speed sensor in the transmission. The input/turbine speed sensor is used to measure how many revolutions per minute (RPM) the input shaft of the transmission is turning. It is usually a three-wire sensor that reads a reluctor ring in the transmission. When this code is triggered, the vehicle will most likely go into “fail-safe” mode, which is a condition where the vehicle’s power and speed are limited to minimize damage to other components. The ECM/TCM does this because they don’t know how fast the transmission is spinning, and cannot safely select which gear to shift into.

P0715 Causes

There are many potential causes of code P0715.

• Failed input/turbine speed sensor
• Failed output speed sensor
• Failed torque converter
• Faulty wiring
• Debris on input/turbine speed sensor
• Debris on output speed sensor
• Damaged reluctor ring for input/turbine speed sensor

P0715 Symptoms

• Check Engine Light
• Vehicle in “Fail-Safe” mode
• Harsh shifting
• The vehicle will not move
• Lack of power
• Vehicle stuck in one gear
• Stalling when coming to a stop
• Improper speedometer/odometer operation
• Decreased fuel efficiency
• No noticeable adverse conditions in some cases

How Do I Fix Code P0715?

With a transmission fault, the first step is to get it diagnosed to figure out what is causing the problem. 

If your vehicle has this fault and you’re not comfortable diagnosing this issue at home, we recommend finding a RepairPal certified shop nearby to pinpoint the problem and give an accurate estimate for repairs. 

These shops can not only help you figure out what’s going wrong before you waste time and money on the wrong parts, but they also offer a minimum 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty and stand behind all their estimates with guaranteed fair pricing.

> Find a RepairPal Certified Shop Near You

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Code P0715?

P0715 can be caused by anything from a bad speed sensor to faulty wiring to a failed torque converter. It’s impossible to give an accurate estimate without properly diagnosing the issue first. 

If you take your car to a shop for diagnosis, most shops will start with an hour of “diag time” (the time spent in labor diagnosing your specific issue). Depending on the shop’s labor rate, this typically costs somewhere between $75-$150. Many, if not most, shops will apply this diagnosis fee to any required repairs if you have them perform the repairs for you. From there, a shop will be able to give you an accurate estimate for repairs to fix your P0715 code.

Possible Repair Costs for P0715

For error code P0715, one or more of the below repairs may be needed to solve the underlying issue. For each possible repair, the estimated cost of repair includes the cost of the relevant parts and the cost of labor required to make the repair.

• Input/turbine speed sensor $100-$300
• Output speed sensor $100-$300
• Torque converter $600-$1500
• Transmission $1800-$4500
• Wiring repair/replacement $100-$1000

DIY Steps to Diagnose Code P0715

Engine code P0715 could be caused by a number of things, including a bad speed sensor, faulty wiring, or a failed torque converter. If you’d like to try to fix code P0715 at home without throwing money at parts, you’ll want to follow the steps below for proper diagnosis. Keep in mind this is an advanced-level diagnosis and repair and not recommended for beginners. Diagnosis requires more specialized equipment beyond what the FIXD Sensor can provide and it can be a time and labor-intensive process for inexperienced DIYers.

DIY difficulty level: Advanced

This repair requires mechanical knowledge and is not recommended for beginners.

Tools/parts needed (our top picks from Amazon):

• FIXD
• Basic Hand Tools
• Vehicle Specific Service Manual
• Multimeter

STEP 1: USE FIXD TO ENSURE NO OTHER ENGINE CODES ARE PRESENT.

Use FIXD to scan your vehicle to verify P0715 is the only code present. If not, make a note of the additional codes, as they help diagnose the problem.

STEP 2: CHECK TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS FOR YOUR VEHICLE.

Check to see if your vehicle has any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for this code. If there are any, follow them before further diagnosis.

STEP 3: CHECK INPUT/TURBINE SPEED SENSOR WIRING.

Locate the input/turbine speed sensor and inspect the wiring and connector of the sensor. Repair any faults found.

STEP 4: CHECK INPUT/TURBINE SPEED SENSOR AND RELUCTOR RING.

Remove the input/turbine speed sensor and inspect for any metal fragments or build upon the sensing side of the sensor. Also, check the reluctor ring inside the transmission for any damage or debris. If there is any debris on the sensor, clean off the debris, reinstall, clear the code, and test drive to see if the concern is resolved. (If excessive debris is found, there may be internal damage to the transmission.)

STEP 5: CHECK INPUT/TURBINE SPEED SENSOR RESISTANCE.

If the code comes back, remove the sensor and check its resistance using the Ohms setting of your multimeter and compare it to the vehicle specification. This test is performed with the sensor disconnected from the circuit. If it’s out of spec, replace the sensor.

If at this point the code persists, consider taking it to a shop with a diagnostic scan tool capable of reading the waveforms coming from this sensor for further diagnostics. 

Common P0715 diagnosis mistakes

Replacing the input/turbine speed sensor without checking for debris or a failed reluctor ring.

Still Need Help Fixing Code P0715?

If you’ve followed the steps above and are still experiencing check engine code P0715, please contact the FIXD Mechanic Hotline if you’re a FIXD Premium subscriber or find a RepairPal certified shop near you to get the right repairs at a fair price.

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