P0218

Symptom: SID has displayed the message “ TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING” Shifting performance has deteriorated.

P0218

Fault symptoms

SID has displayed the message “ TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING”

Shifting performance has deteriorated.

Conditions

•	Fluid temperature above 170 °C for more than 10 seconds.

•	Fluid temperature above 140 °C for more than 120 seconds at vehicle speeds exceeding 180 km/h.

Diagnostic help

When the diagnostic trouble code is generated, the fluid temperature has been so high that the oil may have been degraded. Overheating and slipping in the transmission most often results in discoloured oil or oil that smells “burnt”. The oil may look good but additives in the oil have been consumed, which results in poor shifting quality. If the function has been activated once or more, the oil should be changed.

In warm climates and when driving at high speeds for longer periods, the fluid will heat up more if the fluid level is high. To reduce the risk of overheating the fluid in cars being driven under these conditions, the fluid level must be at the “min” marking, which will give a lower fluid temperature.

Information on the transmission fluid temperature can be read with the diagnostics tool.

-	Select “ Data Display / Output Control (New)”

-	Select “ Gearbox Fluid Temperature”

The reading is both in V (input from the sensor) and in the control module conversion to °C.

Procedure

Change the transmission fluid. Texaco Texamatic DEXRON III (7045 EU, TL1863 US)