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2004 Hyundai Tiburon P0720 Code: Transmission Shift Issue and Speed Sensor Diagnosis

Model: 2004 Hyundai Tiberon Fault Code: P0720 Posted: 2011-03-14 08:01

I own a 2004 Hyundai Tiburon with a 4-speed automatic transmission and approximately 116,500 miles. The vehicle has been well-maintained with regular servicing, and I've never experienced major issues before. Last week, while turning the steering wheel to the left, I began hearing a grinding noise, which led me to take it to a repair shop. They diagnosed a worn wheel bearing and recommended replacement. However, during my drive home from the shop, the transmission unexpectedly failed to shift out of 3rd gear and the check engine light activated. When I engage 'Shift-Tronic' mode, I can manually shift between 2nd and 3rd gears, but with noticeable resistance. The issue does not appear immediately upon restarting the vehicle—sometimes it only manifests after a period of inactivity. My OBD-II scanner reads fault code P0720, which indicates a problem with the transmission speed sensor or input signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM). I'm concerned whether this means I need a full transmission replacement. Should I have the car towed immediately, or is it safe to drive it until I can get it to a mechanic? Any insights into what P0720 specifically means for my 2004 Hyundai Tiburon would be greatly appreciated.

Related fault codes
P0720
Comments (2)
Anonymous 2011-03-14 19:53

The symptoms suggest an electronic issue rather than a mechanical one. I recommend minimizing driving and scheduling an appointment with a qualified mechanic as soon as possible to prevent a minor problem from escalating into a more serious transmission failure.

Anonymous 2011-03-14 22:17

P0720 typically points to a faulty vehicle speed sensor that is not sending accurate signals to the Transmission Control Module (TCM), which affects gear shifting. This is a common diagnosis for this code in 2004 Hyundai Tiburon models, and replacing the speed sensor should resolve the issue.