Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 15 other vehicles, including the 2003 Hummer H2, 2003 GMC Yukon XL, 2003 GMC Yukon, 2003 GMC Sierra, and 2003 GMC Savana. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) sensor is a thermistor (temperature sensitive resistor) and is part of the Transmission Fluid Pressure (TFP) manual valve position switch. The PCM supplies and monitors a 5-volt signal to TFT sensor. This monitored 5-volt signal is then modified by resistance of TFT sensor. When transmission fluid temperatures are low, TFT sensor resistance is high and PCM sees a high monitored voltage signal. When transmission fluid temperatures are high, TFT sensor resistance is low and PCM sees a low monitored voltage.
PCM uses TFT sensor input to control Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) application and shift quality. Sensor circuit problem should set a related DTC.