Probability oil leaks are creating false P codes

Tiny
DEUXCHATS53
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
As a retiree on a fixed income, I cannot afford to put one dime towards this problem unless there's a strong possibility of success. Reading of the Check Engine light reveals 5 codes, all pointing to a possible transmission problem. If a transmission replacement is truly required, that's the end for this car. I am wondering though, if worsening oil leaks, particularly from the valve cover gasket, could be leaking on transmission sensors, generating a false reading. Those codes are as follows:
P0218 Transmission Over Temperature Condition
P0714 Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor A Circuit Intermittent
P0720 Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction
P0731 Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio
P1790 Not found – maybe it was really P0790 https://www.obd-codes.com/p0790
The chief symptoms of the car's recent performance are as follows:
1) Gives a slight shudder when first stopping at intersections
2) Speedometer will flutter, even though idling
3) Intermittently refuses to shift out of lower gears

Is it worth fixing the oil leaks, particularly replacing the valve cover gaskets, to see if the transmission performance improves? Otherwise, the engine seems to run well considering the mileage. I had hoped to let my son take over title on this vehicle as his starter car.
Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 10:57 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

I would not think that this is the issue. These sensors are that susceptible to oil like that. Plus they are not that close to the valve cover so I doubt they all got effected. Unfortunately, these codes are pretty common for a failing transmission. More than likely what is happening is the transmission is beginning to slip which increases the temperature in the transmission, which will begin to cause gear ratio errors. This means is expecting to see specific speeds on the output shaft and it is not so that means it is not in the correct gear.

Long story short, you should fix the oil leaks but only if you are going to fix the transmission issues as well.

Hope this helps. Thanks
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Thursday, August 15th, 2019 AT 3:56 PM

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