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P0840

Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance

The transmission fluid pressure sensor A reading is implausible compared to commanded line pressure. The TCM detects sensor drift or hydraulic leakage.

  • Check engine light: Yes
  • Emissions related: No
  • Repair difficulty: hard

Symptoms

  • Check engine or transmission warning light on
  • Harsh, delayed, or missing shifts
  • Possible limp mode (locked in one gear)
  • Slipping or shuddering during gear changes

Common causes

Ordered by how often each turns out to be the cause.

  • Pressure sensor driftCommon
  • Internal hydraulic leakPossible
  • Sensor element aged beyond calibration windowLess likely

Parts involved

  • Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor
  • Valve Body
  • Transmission Pump

P0840 is a generic OBD-II code defined by SAE J2012. Exact wording and diagnostic procedure vary by manufacturer and model. Code definitions are drawn from the public-domain OBDex dataset; the workshop notes are our own.