P0715 – Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, & Fixes

Code P0715 Definition

Malfunction in the transmission input/turbine speed sensor circuit

What Does P0715 Mean?

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” (Fail-Safe is a condition where the vehicle’s power and speed is limited in order to minimize damage to other components) due to the fact that it doesn’t know how fast the transmission is spinning and cannot safely select a gear to go into.

What Are The Symptoms Of Code P0715?

• Check Engine Light
• Vehicle in “Fail-Safe”
• 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

What Is The Cause 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

How Serious Is Code P0715? – Severe

This trouble code can put the vehicle into a fail-safe 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 Common Diagnosis Mistakes

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

Tools Needed to Diagnose:

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

How To Diagnose And Repair Code P0715?

Difficulty of Diagnosis and Repair (4 out of 5)

1. Check to see if there are any other codes along with P0715 and clear your Check Engine Light with FIXD.
2. Check the freeze frame data in order to pinpoint the issue.
3. First, check to see if your vehicle has any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for this code. If there are any, follow them before further diagnosis.
4. Locate the input/turbine speed sensor and inspect the wiring and connector of the sensor. Repair any faults found.
5. 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.
6. 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)
7. If the code comes back, remove the sensor and check it’s resistance using the Ohms setting of your multimeter (this test is performed with the sensor disconnected from the circuit) and compare it to the vehicle specification. If it’s out of spec, replace the sensor.
8. 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. 

Estimated Cost of Repair

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