In this guide, we are going to focus on transmission control module, what it is, symptoms of a bad transmission control module plus many other information about this gadget.
Your vehicle’s transmission control module, as you might assume, works together with the engine and transmission to keep you and your passengers moving forward. When you’re driving forward, this element is in charge of calculating the optimal time and place to shift gears in order to make your driving experience as enjoyable as possible.
Apart from its basic duty, this control module may also send OBD2 codes to your car’s computer if it detects a malfunction or other issue with the transmission. These codes appear as a check engine light on your dashboard, essentially alerting you to the fact that anything is wrong beneath the hood.
What Is Transmission Control Module?
The transmission control module is obviously an important aspect of your driving experience because it provides a key interface between your transmission system and your engine. Your automobile would be unable to shift gears as needed if the module was not functioning properly, which may result in not only a poor driving experience but also major technical issues that would necessitate costly repairs. These timely adjustments also assist to enhance your vehicle’s overall efficiency, allowing you to get more miles out of each gallon of gas you add to your tank.
These components are also made to increase the quality of your transmission’s shifts. This means shifting gears is a smoother, easier process that is less taxing on the gears. Your gears will not be subjected to as much wear and tear, allowing your transmission to last longer.
Furthermore, the part’s capacity to communicate codes to the car’s computer makes it a great tool for detecting transmission problems before they become serious. This, too, can help you avoid major damage and costly, time-consuming repairs in the future.
Transmission Control Module Location
The transmission control module is usually situated beneath the cover at the back of the transmission and should be close to the engine control module. The gearbox or transmission control module can be found in the interior beneath the center console or under the hood near the automobile battery.
Symptoms Of a Bad Transmission Control Module
A transmission control module is installed in your car if it has an automatic transmission (TCM). The transmission employs this component to select the best gear at any given time.
Your vehicle’s fuel economy and overall driving performance may be harmed if the TCM is malfunctioning. If this occurs, you may find yourself without a functioning vehicle near Atlantic City or Egg Harbor. The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms of a faulty transmission control module:
Unpredictable Shifting
A malfunctioning module can cause erroneous or unintentional shifting because the TCM delivers the shifting signals. Your Honda, for example, may shift into neutral or a gear it wouldn’t ordinarily shift into without notice. It’s at best a minor annoyance. In the worst-case scenario, it could result in a serious accident. As a result, if this occurs, you’ll want to replace the module as quickly as feasible.
Issues Shifting Into Higher Gears
The transmission should shift into higher gears at the appropriate time as you accelerate down the motorway. If this does not occur, the engine’s RPM may continue to rise rather than gradually decrease as an upshift happens, resulting in you never reaching your desired speed.
Struggling With Down Shifting
Downshifting problems might also be caused by a malfunctioning gearbox control module. When driving down a highway and exiting, your transmission should progressively shift into lower gears as the speed drops. It should be in first gear when you come to a stop.
When you come to a halt with a bad TCM, you may still be in high gear. Your Honda may not move at all if you’re in too high a gear before accelerating.
Check Engine Light Appears
When the check engine light illuminates on your dashboard, it could signal a number of reasons. If the light comes on while you’re having trouble shifting, it’s most likely coming from the TCM or another element of the transmission system. To discover the cause of the warning light’s appearance, a professional can utilize a scan tool to look for any Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
Poor Fuel Economy
If you have issues with your transmission system or transmission control module, you may notice a decrease in your fuel economy and mileage. An automatic transmission is designed to give you with the highest potential fuel efficiency and gas mileage by allowing for quick and smooth gear selection and timing.
If your transmission control module fails or is damaged, the timing will be affected, and your engine may overheat and work harder than usual to provide the same level of performance. This can result in you using more fuel than usual, spending more money on gas, and revealing how you know your transmission control module is broken.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Transmission Control Module
A transmission control module replacement costs between $500 and $900 depending on whether it is not working properly or has been damaged over time. You’ll need to fix or replace your transmission control module to figure out how you know it’s bad. The parts will cost between $450 and $700, with labor charges ranging between $50 and $200 in total.
TCM Repair Cost
Sometimes the damage to the transmission control module isn’t severe enough to warrant a complete replacement, and you’ll just need to fix it. Another option is to fix your TCM; the cost of repairing the transmission control module is less than the cost of replacing the module. Repairing your transmission control module should cost roughly $300 on average. While most TCM repair shops will provide a warranty, if the repair isn’t done correctly, you’ll have to pay for a replacement, which can be costly.
There are various more repairs that are directly related to this issue, in addition to the replacement of the transmission control module if your TCM has failed. The cost of replacing the air conditioning refrigerant line is between $561 and $591, while the cost of replacing the alternator is between $572 and $760.
In addition, a defective transmission control module is frequently related with horn replacement and suspension shock or strut repair, which cost between $140 and $158 and $765 and $873, respectively. The trunk lock cylinder, which costs between $151 and $162, may also need to be changed.
The camshaft seal replacement, which costs between $368 and $477, the variable valve timing actuator replacement, which costs between $806 and $967, and the sliding door lock actuator replacement, which costs between $260 and $283, are the last three repairs for the car that are related to the transmission control module replacement.
Driving With a Bad Transmission Control Module
Now that you know how much it will cost to repair or replace the transmission control module in your vehicle, you must determine if you can drive your car safely with a faulty transmission control module.
If the transmission control module malfunctions and becomes damaged over time, the car will most likely be impossible to drive, disabled, or only be able to work in one or two gears, giving you less than the performance you need to drive safely. This can lead the car to enter “limp mode,” preventing it from driving until the defective transmission control module is repaired or replaced.
In most current automobiles, limp mode is a safety feature in which the computer engages the engine or gearbox control unit to detect a failure. When the transmission control unit detects a fault in the vehicle, the limp mode switches off non-essential sections of the vehicle, such as the air conditioning and electronics, and reduces the vehicle’s speed.
Limp mode in your vehicle could be a sign of a faulty TCM. Some limp mode and check engine light symptoms are directly related to transmission wiring issues, whereas the REV limit of 2500-4500 RPM is the result of a failing engine boost control.
Other limp mode symptoms include under-boost and low performance, both of which are caused by damaged engine components and engine sensors. Restricted operations, which are caused by issues with the brake system wiring, and the transmission shifting maximum into third gear, which is caused by poor engine wiring, are the last two symptoms.
What Happens When You TCM goes Bad?
Your vehicle is taking longer than usual to accelerate. Gear Slippage: When your gearbox shifts gears without notice or without you shifting, it is known as gear slippage. You can’t shift out of neutral because you can’t shift.
How To Reset Transmission Control Module
Here are the steps you take if you want to reset your TCM:
Step 1
Turning Key Position
It is vital to examine the key position before resetting the transmission control module. To begin, move the key position to number two. Make sure the dashboard lights are turned on. In the initial stage, however, it is not required to step on the accelerator and start the car. When setting the ‘KEY’ position to the correct number, be cautious.
There will be two clicks, so keep your ears open. The dashboard lights will also turn on at the same moment. You must not start the engine at this time.
Step 2
Press Gas Pedal
After you’ve completed the previous step, all you have to do now is step on the accelerator pedal. Make sure you’ve pressed it down all the way. To activate the kick-down switch, depress the accelerator pedal all the way down. Continue to push the pedal and move on to the next step.
Keep Waiting
Now, if you’ve come here to reset the transmission control module on your Chevy, you’ll have to wait. During this time, all you have to do is depress the accelerator pedal for around 15 seconds, which will be enough to get the accelerator pedal to work for the whole reset procedure.
Turning the Key Off
You must return to the key after putting your foot on the accelerator pedal for roughly 10-12 seconds. Do not, however, let off of the pedal.
It’s important to note that you must complete all of this “resetting” while maintaining your foot on the pedal. Do you recall how you used to have the keys set to 2? Yes, you must now go over it and put it back in its proper place.
It’s as simple as turning them off. Turn the key to zero with your hands. You must keep the key in the same place after turning it to its prior position.
Releasing Gas Pedal
You can let go of the accelerator pedal once you’ve turned the key to the home position. Ensure that your foot remained on the pedal throughout the preceding step. When you’ve finished turning the key to the zero position, let off of the accelerator pedal.
Wait Again
We understand that you don’t want to be kept waiting. The restart procedure, on the other hand, takes some time. After you take your foot off the pedal, you must allow your Chevy a chance to cool off. For about 5 minutes, your engine should be turned off. Check to see if the ignition key is turned off. Don’t make any changes to the key. Please take your time!
Done!
You’re almost through with the procedure. You’ve already completed the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and Transmission Control Unit (TCM) processes.