Transmission fluid pressure is essential to the operation of your gearbox. The transmission fluid pressure sensor tells the ECU how much fluid pressure is available at all times. If it detects that there is not enough, the ECU will store a P0868 DTC.
What Transmission Do I Have?
How Serious is the Code?
The P0868 diagnostic trouble code is extremely serious, because you cannot only experience drivability issues. You can also seriously damage the internal transmission parts if there isn’t enough fluid pressure to operate them.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a P0868 include:
- Transmission overheats
- Smoke coming from the transmission
- Slipping in and out of gear
- Transmission will not go into gear
Causes
- Dirty or low transmission fluid
- Transmission fluid leak
- Damaged wiring and/or connectors
- Overheated transmission
- Overheated engine
- Failed transmission pump
- Failed transmission fluid pressure sensor
- Failed transmission fluid temperature sensor
How to Diagnose the Code?
The level and condition of the transmission fluid should be one of the first things checked when trying to diagnose a P0868 OBDII trouble code. Dirty fluid should be immediately changed, any leaks should be repaired. The wiring and connectors along with the transmission wiring harness should also be inspected for signs of damage and corrosion. Next, the transmission fluid pressure sensor and transmission fluid temperature sensor will need to be tested. If none of these issues are a factor, then deeper diagnosis will be needed to determine if the problem lies with the transmission pump, or another internal component.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Repairs Will Fix P0868?
- Change the transmission fluid and filter
- Repair transmission fluid leaks
- Repair or replace damaged wiring and sensors on the transmission wiring harness
- Replace the transmission pump
- Replace transmission fluid pressure sensor
- Replace transmission fluid temperature sensor
- Replace or repair transmission
Related Codes
- P0867 – Transmission Fluid Pressure
P0869 – Transmission Fluid Pressure High
