Number P0717: Input/Turbine Shaft Speed Sensor A Circuit No Signal
The input or turbine shaft speed sensor – a Hall sensor with square-wave output or an inductive sensor with sine output – reports the speed behind the torque converter. With output and engine speed it gives the actual gear ratio, converter slip and shift timing. P0717 means there is practically no i
Can you drive with P0717?
Severity: Fix promptly — drivability fault. Short trips at moderate speed only. If the car has entered limp mode (won't rev, stuck in one gear), have it towed rather than forcing it.
If you ignore it: Limp-mode faults tend to strand you, and several of them (misfires, throttle faults) damage other parts while you wait.
This is the #125 most common code in our top-150 library, in the transmission family (Powertrain system). Severity is Number Nest's editorial triage — if the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it whatever any page says.
What P0717 means
The input or turbine shaft speed sensor – a Hall sensor with square-wave output or an inductive sensor with sine output – reports the speed behind the torque converter. With output and engine speed it gives the actual gear ratio, converter slip and shift timing. P0717 means there is practically no input speed signal although the vehicle is driving under power. GM's 2025 modules flag under 200 rpm for more than 4 s with torque applied, the 6T70 under 50 rpm for 5 s, the Allison 1000 under 61 rpm with output above 500 rpm; Ford under 200 rpm for 5–30 s; all after one trip. GM calls it 'circuit low voltage', but means missing frequency. On GM's 10-speed both input and output sensors share a supply – P0717 together with P0722 points to that supply rather than two sensors.
Systems involved: input speed sensor, sensor wiring, transmission control module.
Causes, ranked by likelihood
| # | Cause | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speed sensor faulty (Hall IC or coil open or shorted) | most likely |
| 2 | Connector or harness corroded, chafed or loose pins (with internal sensors also the pass-through connector) | most likely |
| 3 | Metal debris on the sensor magnet or damaged reluctor wheel | possible |
| 4 | Transmission module or its sensor supply faulty | less common |
Check them in order — the list is ranked so the likely, cheaper causes come before the expensive part.
Symptoms you may notice
- Check engine and/or transmission warning lamp
- Limp mode with fixed gear, harsh shifts
- Torque converter clutch does not apply
- Input speed shows 0 or implausible in the scan tool
Misdiagnosis traps
- Replacing the part named by the code title without testing. The code reports a failed self-test; the cause list above is ranked so the likely, cheap causes are checked before the expensive part is condemned.
- Clearing the code and declaring victory when the light stays off for a day — the monitor that sets this code runs only under specific driving conditions.
(General diagnostic guidance for this code family — no code-specific trap is published for this code.)
How a good shop confirms it
- Confirm the code and record any companion codes — companions narrow the system fast.
- Inspect the affected components and their wiring/connectors for damage, corrosion and looseness.
- Test the top-ranked cause with live data or a multimeter before replacing anything.
(Standard diagnostic path for this family, labeled as general guidance.)
Repair options & costs
| Repair | Shop total (parts + labor) | DIY (parts only) | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission shift solenoid | $338 – $838 | $150 – $400 (parts only) | 4/5 |
National ranges from Number Nest's cost model (midsize car, independent shop, US-average labor).
OBDex repair data for this code rates the job difficulty hard with a typical labor time in the 1–8 hour range and DIY possible: see the guide above.
Price this repair in your state
Estimated total: — (midsize car, independent shop)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to fix P0717?
The fix most associated with this code — transmission shift solenoid — runs $338 – $838 at an independent shop for a midsize car in our cost model (parts + labor, US average). The code names a system, not a part, so confirm the cause before spending: the ranked causes above are ordered by likelihood.
Can I drive with P0717?
See the can-you-drive verdict above — it is based on the system involved and the cascading-damage risk, and it is our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction. If the light is flashing or the car feels unsafe, stop driving it regardless of any code.
Will P0717 clear itself?
If the fault was a one-off (a loose cap, a cold-start glitch), the light can go out after several clean trips and the code ages into history. A fault that is still present re-sets the code as soon as the car runs that self-test again — monitors run under specific conditions, which is why "it hasn't come back in two days" is not proof of a fix.
Will my car fail inspection with P0717?
In states with OBD-based emissions inspection, yes — an illuminated check-engine light or an incomplete readiness monitor fails the test regardless of what the tailpipe would show. C-codes (ABS) fall under safety inspection instead in states that have one.
What should I check first for P0717?
The first item on the ranked-causes list above — it is ranked likelihood-first for exactly this reason — plus the free checks: recent work in the area (connectors left loose are a classic), fluid levels, and the battery and grounds on electrical codes.
Where this data comes from
Code facts, causes and symptoms come from OBDex — an open dataset of independently authored descriptions of the standardized generic OBD-II codes (CC0 1.0, public domain; github.com/foerbsnavi/OBDex). The SAE J2012 document itself is copyrighted and is not reproduced here. Cost ranges are Number Nest's own US planning model: national parts and labor ranges cross-checked against the CarMD Vehicle Health Index 2026 published averages, with labor adjustable by the BLS OEWS May 2025 state wage index for auto technicians (occupation 49-3023) — a wage index, not a surveyed shop rate. Severity and can-you-drive notes are our editorial triage, not a manufacturer instruction.