P0733 Code: Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio
Third gear slips: input shaft speed doesn't match output speed times the 3rd-gear ratio.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio
- System
- Transmission · Powertrain
- Safe to drive?
- With caution
- Typical repair cost
- $150–$6,500
- DIY difficulty
- Hard
P0733 means the TCM commanded 3rd gear but the measured input-to-output speed ratio didn't match. On many four-speed automatics 3rd is direct drive (1:1), so input and output shafts should turn at exactly the same speed and any difference is slip. The clutch that makes 3rd is frequently shared with 4th – the 3-4 clutch in GM's 4L60E, the direct clutch in Ford's 4R70W, the overdrive clutch in Chrysler's 41TE – which is why P0733 and P0734 often appear together. On GM six-speeds, 3rd shares the 3-5-reverse clutch with 5th and Reverse. Slip in 3rd usually shows up under load, such as climbing a grade or passing at 30–50 mph.
Can I keep driving? Keep to light throttle and avoid hills, towing and kickdown passing until it's checked. Burned 3rd-gear clutches often take the next gear with them, because the same clutch pack is used there too.
How to read P0733
- P Powertrain
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 7 Transmission
- 33 Specific fault
Symptoms
- Engine rpm climbs without extra speed when accelerating uphill in 3rd
- Flare or a short neutral feeling on the 2-3 upshift
- Harsh or 'bound-up' 2-3 shift when the old gear releases too late
- Overdrive also slips or never engages
- Transmission stuck in one gear after the TCM enters limp mode
- Burnt-smelling fluid, check engine light
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Worn or burned clutch pack that applies 3rd (often shared with 4th or 5th)
- Low fluid level or overheated fluid
- Leaking piston seal or sealing rings feeding the 3rd-gear clutch drum
- Low line pressure under load from a pressure control solenoid or regulator fault
- 2-3 shift solenoid or shift valve sticking
- Worn 3rd clutch on Honda parallel-shaft units
- TCM adaptive values out of range
Diagnosis step by step
Map the codes to clutches
Note every ratio code stored. P0733 with P0734 points to the clutch shared by 3rd and 4th; P0733 with P0735 plus a Reverse complaint on a GM six-speed points to the 3-5-reverse clutch. P0733 alone suggests the 2-3 shift circuit.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Check fluid level and condition
Check the level hot per the maker's procedure. Dark, burnt fluid with a gritty feel between your fingers usually means friction material has already been lost.
Tools: Flashlight, Towels & shallow pan
Load test in 3rd
Hold 3rd with manual mode or the gear selector and accelerate moderately up a grade at 30–45 mph while logging input and output speed. On a direct-drive 3rd they should be identical; input speed pulling ahead as load rises confirms slip.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Study the 2-3 shift
Graph engine rpm, input speed and commanded gear through the 2-3 upshift. A flare means 3rd applies too late or too softly; a sudden rpm dip and a jolt means 2nd releases too late, which can also trip a ratio code.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Measure pressure in 3rd
A transmission shop compares line pressure in 3rd at light and heavy throttle with the specification. Pressure that drops only in 3rd points to a leak in that clutch circuit, such as sealing rings or the piston seal.
Look at the pan before spending money
Remove the pan and check the magnet and filter. Large amounts of black friction material mean the clutch is already burned and an overhaul is the realistic fix.
Tools: Towels & shallow pan, Torque wrench
Where the parts are
- 1Battery
- 2Alternator
- 3Engine computer (ECM)
- 4CAN bus
- 5Transmission
- 6Wheel speed sensor
- 7High-voltage battery
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fluid and filter service | No | $150–$400 |
| Replace shift solenoid or clean valve body | No | $300–$900 |
| Transmission overhaul with 3rd-gear clutch pack and seals | No | $2,600–$5,200 |
| Remanufactured transmission, installed | No | $3,200–$6,500 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Chevrolet
The GM 4L60E and 4L65E in Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and similar trucks are well known for burning the 3-4 clutch pack, especially with towing or larger tires. The typical result is slipping or no 3rd and 4th, and P0733 and P0734 often appear together.
Honda
Honda's 5-speed automatics paired with the V6 in the early-to-mid 2000s Odyssey, Pilot and Accord are known for clutch-pack wear, and 3rd gear is a common victim. Use only genuine Honda ATF and check for software updates before condemning the unit.
Field data
| Ford | 5 | Escape, F-150 SUPERCAB, Fusion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge | 3 | Journey, Durango | |
| Volkswagen | 2 | Jetta, Routan |
Source: NHTSA Complaints API (US government open data), analyzed by DTC mention.
Emissions / smog test impact
Will fail
A stored P0733 keeps the check engine light on, which fails OBD emissions testing in states that check it. Readiness monitors must also be complete after the codes are cleared.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it only slip going uphill?
Load increases the torque the clutch has to hold. A partly worn 3rd clutch can hold on flat roads at light throttle but gives up when the engine is pulling hard up a grade.
Why do P0733 and P0734 show up together?
In many four-speed designs the same clutch pack applies in both 3rd and 4th. When that pack wears, both gears slip, so both codes set.
Is it safe to keep driving in limp mode?
Limp mode locks the transmission in one gear to protect it and lets you reach a shop at modest speed. Driving in it for long periods, especially on highways, overheats the transmission and can make the damage worse.