TFT reading unreasonably hot.
P0713 — also written PO713, P 0713, 0713 — is the OBD-II code for transmission fluid temp sensor high input. Same code, same fix: this page covers every spelling of it.
This code means the gearbox thinks the oil is boiling, usually because of a broken wire or a dead sensor rather than actual heat. We see this a lot on older Land Rovers and VAG group cars with high mileage.
P0713 is a transmission fault code, typically costing £150–£600 to put right in a UK garage.
What P0713 actually feels like to drive
- The dash shows a 'Gearbox Fault' or 'Limited Performance' message.
- The car suddenly feels like it’s stuck in one gear (Limp Mode).
- Gear changes feel incredibly harsh or 'thump' into place.
- The cooling fans run at full blast even when the engine is stone cold.
- The car won't shift into top gear on the A9 or motorway.
What causes P0713?
- Sensor open circuit
- Failed sensor
UK vehicles that throw P0713 most often
- Land Rover Discovery 3/4 (ZF 6HP/8HP) 2005-2016
- VW Golf/Passat 2.0 TDI (DQ250 DSG) 2008-2015
- Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi (AF40 Auto) 2009-2017
- Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (Powershift) 2010-2014
- BMW 3 Series E90/F30 (ZF Automatics) 2006-2015
How P0713 is fixed
- Replace sensor
- Repair wiring
The P0713 misdiagnosis that wastes money
I see folks rushing to Euro Car Parts to buy a new sensor immediately, or worse, flushing the fluid thinking it’s actually overheating. On the ZF boxes in Range Rovers and the VW DSG units, it’s rarely the sensor itself that’s fried. Most of the time, I find it’s the internal wiring harness—the 'ribbon' cable—that’s cracked or been eaten by old, acidic fluid. If you just swap the sensor and ignore a brittle harness, you'll be back in the workshop within a fortnight with the same limp mode.
What a UK garage should charge for P0713
A basic diagnostic plug-in is £60-£90. If it’s just the sensor, you’re looking at £150-£250. However, on most modern autos, the sensor is part of the internal loom or 'mechatronic' lead frame. For a ZF or DSG box, expect to pay £450-£650 because we have to drop the pan, replace the filter/sump, and use about 6-7 litres of high-spec Fuchs or Motul fluid, which isn't cheap. Main dealers will easily double that for the same Bosch-sourced parts.
P0713 repair cost in the UK
Most P0713 repairs land between £150–£600 including parts and labour. The spread is wide because the cheap fix (a sensor, a hose, a leak) and the expensive fix (a major component) throw the same code — which is why a proper diagnosis before parts are bought saves the most money.
Bob's tip on P0713
Don't let a garage tell you that you need a whole new gearbox. That’s the oldest trick in the book for P0713. Insist on a 'live data' check first. If the scanner says the oil is 150°C the second you turn the key on a frosty morning, it’s an electrical open circuit, not a mechanical overheat. Also, check the multi-plug connector on the outside of the casing for green corrosion or 'wicking' where oil has travelled up the wires. A bit of electrical contact cleaner saves you hundreds.
Can you drive with P0713?
Yes but box may go limp.
Urgency: medium.