When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it ForumIf you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a Check Engine Light that won't go away, ask about it here!
Sensor wires
The other day i got a p0720 output sensor circuit error and I seen that my wires were absolutely cut. There was a green wire with a blue/silver? Wire. I taped the greens together and the blue silver back. Check engine light still on and having issues. Any idea where I should go from here? I'm still a mechanical noob. Thanks!
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 517
Re: p0720 output speed shaft sensor help.
Terminate the rodent that did it!
If that's a pic of your finished repair job, that's a problem.
You must restore the wiring to the proper circuits.
Twist and tape won't last. Twist doesn't provide absolutely positive connection, and tape won't keep out the corrosive elements very long.
If that's a pic of your finished repair job, that's a problem.
You must restore the wiring to the proper circuits.
Twist and tape won't last. Twist doesn't provide absolutely positive connection, and tape won't keep out the corrosive elements very long.
Solder and glue lined heat shrink tubing ftw
Unfortunately the area is infested with feral cats! The pic was taken before hand. I have twisted and taped them in the meantime. Is there a specific way to connect the wires to ensure a good connection? My Haynes manual doeasnt seem to show much about wiring.
So far I have taken it apart and rewired it 3 times and this time I used shrink tubing, and a new shaft speed sensor. Im still getting p0720 code and the car is shifting weird.
Is there anything else I should be looking at?
How bad is it to continue driving this, mainly on highway where my speed is constant?
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 517
Re: p0720 output speed shaft sensor help.
*looks at wire diagram
Your two wire colors were what, green and blue?
I think your wiring is still not right
The blue wire HAD a braided wire shield (google 'COAXIAL CABLE'), that's a shield and it's grounded....and it cannot be touching the inner wire!
The shield is to prevent RF interference on the signal line in the center.
That center wire is the only part of the set that can be connected to the sensor.
The shield wires cannot be connected to the sensor wire.
Your two wire colors were what, green and blue?
I think your wiring is still not right
The blue wire HAD a braided wire shield (google 'COAXIAL CABLE'), that's a shield and it's grounded....and it cannot be touching the inner wire!
The shield is to prevent RF interference on the signal line in the center.
That center wire is the only part of the set that can be connected to the sensor.
The shield wires cannot be connected to the sensor wire.
I figured it was a shield and separated it. But I guess maybe its touching somewhere else farther down the line. Ill have to check it again for the millionth time, thanks for the reassurance!
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 32,017
Likes: 256
From: Midwest. Aiming about mid-chest
Rep Power: 517
Re: p0720 output speed shaft sensor help.
Grab one of the service manuals and look up troubleshooting for the code. There's a forum post called 'looking for a 7th gen manual for free', most recent links are on the last page
It's basically wiring checks on the two wires in question, for continuity and shorts to power or ground,
ohm check the sensor itself (400-600 ohms)
Check at the appropriate PCM connector (C14 and C15??? IDK what your exact car is) for same sensor ohm reading (400-600 ohms) and no continuity to ground on either wire
(This would confirm if your wiring patch is the problem or not, it (ohms) better read exactly the same as it did when you checked right on the sensor itself)
First I would go to a junkyard and cut out the sensor harness all the way back to where it joins a bigger branch of wire loom.
Its one thing if you slip and cut a wire, but having possibly wires getting snagged on a cat collar and the cat yanking and twisting on the wires until it gets free may have done more than just one point of failure.
Splice your replacement connector in using solder for center wire, vulcanizing electrical tape, then solder jumper wire between shielding mesh and then heat shrink the whole joint.