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The 28650-RDK-003: Honda's ATF Temperature Sensor, Explained

Your Honda or Acura can't shift correctly if the Transmission Control Module doesn't know how hot the ATF is. The Genuine Honda 28650-RDK-003 Sensor Assembly, Temperature (ATF) supplies that reading. It is an NTC thermistor sensor engineered for Honda and Acura automatic transmissions, and for the 2026 model year it remains a critical TCM input across the 5-speed, 6-speed, and 10-speed platforms — including the 2026 CR-V, HR-V, Pilot, and Acura MDX.

The sensor talks to the TCM over the CAN bus, compliant with SAE J1939 and ISO 11898 protocols, and is calibrated to Honda's OEM thermistor resistance curves. It tracks fluid temperature from -40°C to +150°C. If you need the part now, order the 28650-RDK-003 sensor assembly for Honda and Acura direct from Koeep.

Essential Specs and 2026 Compliance

The demand is real: the global ATF temperature sensor market is projected to reach USD 5.58 billion by 2030 at a 6.5% CAGR, and Honda's 2026 e:HEV expansion feeds it. Here is the full spec sheet, straight from Honda's OEM data.

How the NTC Thermistor Reads Fluid Temperature

The element inside

NTC means negative temperature coefficient. Per IEC 60539, the semiconductor's resistance drops along an exponential inverse curve as temperature rises. The 28650-RDK-003's B-constant is matched to Honda's TCM calibration maps, which lets the TCM compute fluid temperature within ±2°C.

Shift quality rides on that precision. The TCM expects a specific resistance decay as the fluid warms. If the sensor lags — thermal hysteresis — shift scheduling turns erratic.

Housing, seal, and terminals

The glass-filled PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) housing resists Honda ATF-DW1 and ATF-Type 3.1 synthetic fluids and holds dimension through continuous 150°C exposure, with a UL94 V-0 flammability rating. Terminals are plated 0.76µm gold over nickel to curb galvanic corrosion in humid underhood air.

The O-ring seal meets IP69K ingress protection. That matters most on 2026 hybrid-electric models, where transmission tunnel temperatures can exceed 125°C during regenerative braking cycles.

Why 2026 hybrids need the OEM part

Honda is expanding its e:HEV lineup through 2026, and the hybrid ECU needs fast ATF data to switch between EV-only, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid modes. The 28650-RDK-003 responds in under 5 seconds in circulating ATF, so mode changes happen without temperature overshoot — protecting the e-CVT and dual-clutch transmissions on the 2026 Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid, and all-new Prelude Hybrid.

Aftermarket sensors drift. The OEM 28650-RDK-003 holds a consistent resistance-temperature curve across 10,000+ thermal cycles, validated by Honda's factory endurance testing.

OEM Cross-Reference: Which Part Number Fits

Honda issued three related numbers plus one supersession. The matrix below maps them, per Honda OEM parts catalogs.

Verify fitment by VIN before ordering. The 28650-RDK-003 at Koeep is cross-referenced against all supersession chains, so you order the right number the first time.

Vehicle Fitment: Honda and Acura, 2005–2026

Six of the seven applications are 2026-active. The 2013–2017 Accord is the lone legacy entry, so match the exact engine and sub-model by VIN.

DTC Mapping: What P0710–P0713 Mean on Your Honda

The sensor maps to OBD-II PID $05 (transmission fluid temperature) and throws codes in the P0710–P0713 range when its signal leaves the calibrated window — P0711 fires when resistance deviates more than 15% from Honda's calibration map. On 2026 CAN FD models, the codes broadcast as PG 65262 (DM1) with SPN 177 per SAE J1939-73. Honda's factory service manual section 14-317 covers guided troubleshooting.

P0710 — Circuit Malfunction

The most common code on Honda 5AT/6AT platforms. The PCM detects an implausible voltage from the thermistor circuit; on 2026 CAN FD models it can also light the MIL and trigger limp mode with 3rd gear locked.

Root causes: internal thermistor degradation, harness chafing near the bell housing, or connector terminal oxidation. Fix: fit the OEM 28650-RDK-003, inspect the TCM connector pins for green corrosion, and clear the adaptive shift tables with a Honda HDS or i-HDS scan tool.

P0711 — Range/Performance

P0711 usually appears right after an ATF change, when the sensor fails to track the expected temperature ramp. A sensor with thermal hysteresis lags the resistance decay the TCM predicts, so shift scheduling goes erratic. Symptoms: delayed upshifts, harsh 1-2 engagement, and a flashing "D" on 2026 Pilot and MDX clusters.

Fix: verify the ATF level with the engine at operating temperature, then replace the sensor and reset the TCM adaptations.

P0712 — Low Input

P0712 means resistance below 79Ω — a short-to-ground condition. On 2026 Honda 10-speed automatics it triggers immediate torque reduction and disables AWD on Ridgeline and Pilot TrailSport trims. Diagnosis takes one measurement: resistance across the sensor pins at 20°C should read 2.2–2.7 kΩ. Below 100Ω confirms an internal short, and the sensor needs replacing.

P0713 — High Input

P0713 is the mirror fault: resistance above 156 kΩ, an open circuit. It is the most common high-mileage failure, hitting at 120,000+ miles when the bond wire inside the thermistor fatigues. The telltale symptom: no overdrive at highway speed, because the TCM defaults to its -40°C cold map.

Fix: replace the sensor assembly, then inspect the harness between the sensor connector and the TCM for rodent damage — a known issue on 2026 CR-V and HR-V.

Service Life and Replacement Timing

Honda has issued no discontinuation notice as of May 2026, and the part is projected to stay in service through the 2026–2030 cycle across 5AT, 6AT, and 10AT applications. Per Honda ePC revision 2026.Q1, the 28650-RDK-003 is the factory-correct part for the 2005–2026 Pilot, the 2012–2026 CR-V, and the 2005–2026 Acura MDX.

• Expected service life: 120,000–150,000 miles under normal operating conditions.
• Preventive move: replace the sensor at any transmission service beyond 100,000 miles to head off P0711 and P0713.
• The 28650-RT4-003 and 28650-RDK-004 supersessions are backward-compatible for most fitments.

Related Sensors for Honda and Acura Repairs

Transmission codes rarely travel alone. If your Prelude, Insight, or NSX needs engine-side sensor work too, the Manifold Pressure MAP Sensor 37830-PHM-003 covers those platforms. Riding as well as driving? Koeep also carries the TPS Throttle Position Sensor for the 2006–2018 Honda CBR1000RR ABS SP.

For the electrical side of any diagnosis — ECUs, wiring, starters, alternators — start at the Starters, Alternators & ECUs collection at Koeep. Tires run sensors too: before your next set, read the Smart Tire Technologies guide comparing TPMS against self-sealing systems for the fitment and safety trade-offs.

Order the 28650-RDK-003 or Get Fitment Help

Buying in volume for a fleet or a rebuild shop? Submit the Request for Quote form and the Koeep team comes back with pricing.

Questions before you order? Email support@koeep.com or message the team on WhatsApp with your model year and VIN for a fitment check.

Frequently Asked Questions