i have a 98 dakota which recently started to turn the check engine light when it finally shifts outof first gearat around3000 -3500 RPM. I have a OBD scanner which will read and erase the code but the code just comes back on the next time i drive it. It tells me that it is a P0720 which it translates as an output speed sensor circuit malfunction. any help with this ASAP would be appreciated, i have heard from reading some forums that it could be caused the the rear wheel speed sensor, but in all the other cases the brake lights have come on and stayed on and my brake light is not on.

 

i had the same problem with my 99. This sensor is in the tranny itself. i bought my sensor at napa for like $6 or so and it took about 10 min to change, What you want to do is jack up the truck and throw it on jack stands, the sensor is on the passenger side of the vehicle and it can be changed with a socket and a rachet or a comb wrench. When you finally get the old one out have the new on ready as well as a catch pan cause fluid will come out. Fter you get the new one in check your tranny fluid and you should be all set.

 

could it be on the driver side of the tranny and exactly where on the tranny is it, do u have pictures, and is it the only plug accessible from the underside of the truck because all i saw was one plug that could be reached from underneath

 

As far as i remember it was on the passenger side but i could be wrong i changed mine in april, what i basically did was matched up the connector off the old one before i pulled the old one out. It also may be different from a 98 to a 99 idk.

 

do happen to recognize the error code that i pulled from the computer as the correct one from you situation or not? and how much did u say $6 ? thats not too bad

 

I think that was the code I had, Like I said it was last april, my truck is in the shop getting some body work done i will run down there right now and look where the sensor was, also you can try looking in a haynes manual at autozone or the guys at napa will tell you where it is under there, but i will go look now and ill get back you in about 20 min

 

and does this look like its the right part ?? i appreciate it http://www.napaautoparts.com/MasterP...+Output+Sensor
and would you happen to have an standard ohm reading for that sensor so i can see if mine is bad or know anything about the rear wheel speed sensor being the problem, as that is what my research first led me to. thanks

 

Yes thats the part. Also next time you have an issue with and engine code or soemthing that might be a common topic you can do a search or look in the sticky's at the very top of the page of the second gen forum. there is a sticky up there for engine codes.

 

P0720 is the transmission speed sensor. On my 2000 Durango it was on the drivers side of the tranny. Very simple to replace. Unplug the connector. Unscrew the sensor and screw the new one in. I got a little fluid out when I pulled mine but very very little. Not enough to try and catch. I just used a rag. Also your link looks like it.

 

that would be an amazingly simple fix to the problem which needs to be fixed by april so it will pass inspection (here in NJ the check engine light has to stay off to pass) and i tried to do a search for the problem and did not find any existing threads, and the code reader that i have translates the code and told me that it was "output speed sensor ciruit malfunction" so that is what i searched, and it did not seem like it was that much diffrent from the one in the stickys at the top of the forum but thanks for your help guys this site is awesome! ill post again as soon as i know if this fixed the problem or not