Aston Martin diagnostic trouble code
P0218: Transmission fluid temperature
Use this reference to understand the recorded condition, confirm the available V8 Vantage or DB9 manual coverage, and follow the documented diagnostic checks before replacing parts.
- Code family
- Powertrain
- Vehicle system
- Transmission
- Manual coverage
- DB9
- Warning-lamp status
- DB9: Non-MIL
What Aston Martin code P0218 means
Transmission fluid temperature
DB9 preliminary diagnostic manual · section 2-64
Manufacturer fault-analysis procedure
Manual fault definition
P0218 - Transmission fluid temperature sensor.
Test sequence and decision path
1. Connect the WDS or scan tool. Confirm that a
code P0218 is logged. Note any other gearbox
DTCs.
Monitor the Engine Coolant Temperature and the
Transmission Fluid Temperature during a road test.
The transmission oil is normally not as hot as the
engine coolant after a good run in normal ambient
conditions. If transmission oil is hotter than engine
coolant, suspect a problem in the gearbox cooling
circuit.
2. Raise the car on a ramp and check the condition
of the gearbox cooling circuit. Trace the route of
all cooling pipes and verify that there are no
kinks, crushes or other obvious restrictions.
If all pipes are serviceable, go to step 3.
If any pipe is damaged or restricted, service as
necessary. Top up the gearbox oil level. Run an
extended road test to ensure that the problem is
resolved.
3. If either B1318, P0641 or P1794 is logged,
resolve these battery power codes first and return
to step 5 of this procedure only if P0218 is logged
again after clearing the battery power codes.
If no additional gearbox codes are logged, go to
step 5.
4. Check the gearbox for leaks and check the gearbox oil level (Service Manual Procedure). Top up
if necessary. Clear the P0218 code and run a brief
road test to ensure that the problem is resolved.
5. Clear the P0218 code and run an extended road
test.
If P0218 is logged again, change the mechatronic
unit and run a road test to ensure that the problem is resoled
If P0218 is not logged again, the cause of the fault
is not present at this time and testing is complete.
Open the corresponding manual page for wiring diagrams and figures
code P0218 is logged. Note any other gearbox
DTCs.
Monitor the Engine Coolant Temperature and the
Transmission Fluid Temperature during a road test.
The transmission oil is normally not as hot as the
engine coolant after a good run in normal ambient
conditions. If transmission oil is hotter than engine
coolant, suspect a problem in the gearbox cooling
circuit.
2. Raise the car on a ramp and check the condition
of the gearbox cooling circuit. Trace the route of
all cooling pipes and verify that there are no
kinks, crushes or other obvious restrictions.
If all pipes are serviceable, go to step 3.
If any pipe is damaged or restricted, service as
necessary. Top up the gearbox oil level. Run an
extended road test to ensure that the problem is
resolved.
3. If either B1318, P0641 or P1794 is logged,
resolve these battery power codes first and return
to step 5 of this procedure only if P0218 is logged
again after clearing the battery power codes.
If no additional gearbox codes are logged, go to
step 5.
4. Check the gearbox for leaks and check the gearbox oil level (Service Manual Procedure). Top up
if necessary. Clear the P0218 code and run a brief
road test to ensure that the problem is resolved.
5. Clear the P0218 code and run an extended road
test.
If P0218 is logged again, change the mechatronic
unit and run a road test to ensure that the problem is resoled
If P0218 is not logged again, the cause of the fault
is not present at this time and testing is complete.