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ABSTRACT The binary star Par 1802 in the Orion Nebula presents an interesting puzzle in the field of stellar dynamics and evolution. Binary systems such as Par 1802 are thought to form from the same natal material and thus the stellar members are expected to have very similar physical attributes. However, Par 1802’s stars have significantly different temperatures despite their identical (within $$3\, {\rm per\, cent}$$) masses of about 0.39 M⊙. The leading proof-of-concept idea is that a third companion gravitationally induced the two stars to orbit closer than their Roche limit, which facilitated heating through tidal effects. Here we expand on this idea and study the three-body dynamical evolution of such a system, including tidal and pre-main-sequence evolution. We also include tidal heating and mass transfer at the onset of Roche limit crossing. We show, as a proof-of-concept, that mass transfer combined with tidal heating can naturally explain the observed temperature discrepancy. We also predict the orbital configuration of the possible tertiary companion. Finally, we suggest that the dynamical evolution of such a system has pervasive consequences. We expect an abundance of systems to undergo mass transfer during their pre-main-sequence time, which can cause temperature differences.