TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Nearly a year ago my car engine light came on. It was diagnosed by the dealership to be a fault in the TCM. They recommended replacing it which I had them do. They replaced it with a used module as the part can no longer be obtained new. It had a two month warranty. At 3 months the engine light came on. I was still have no other sign of any transmission problem, just the light. I have been driving it since, for about five months, with no transmission issues experienced. Is it safe to drive the car? My car now needs about $1200 in other repairs (oil pan and gasket and front brakes). T
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The first thing I would do is scan the vehicle for codes to determine if the TCM is still the issue. If codes for the TCM appear, depending on the code and the problem, you may be fine to drive that away. There is no way of telling how long the transmission will last, so it is a gamble to have the other repairs done. I would certainly get the brakes done as this is a safety issue, and get roadside assistance in case your vehicle’s transmission decides to fail unexpectedly. If you would like to have this all checked, a professional from YourMechanic can come to your location to inspect the car for you and recommend the correct actions.
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It helps regulate how and when your vehicle shifts gears and changes speeds. In addition to supporting the transmission, the TCM may send OBD-II codes that alert you to any issues going on with the transmission. One common error to display is the check engine light.
Often (though not always) a faulty transmission will trigger an engine diagnostic code and trip the Check Engine Light to let you know. Same goes if your engine overheats because of a bad transmission. Problems with a solenoid, speed sensor, slippage, and more can cause the Check Engine Light to come on.
It`s never safe to drive with a faulty transmission control module because it causes your car to be extremely unpredictable when it comes to shifting gears. If you notice any of the signs listed above, you`re going to want to get your vehicle to the shop immediately.
Since the TCM sends the shifting signals, a bad module can cause incorrect or unintended shifting. For example, your Honda may shift to neutral or another gear that it wouldn`t normally shift into without warning. At best, it`s a bit of a nuisance. At worst, it could cause a serious accident.
Oxygen sensors are a common cause of “check engine” lights. This sensor is located in the emission control system of your car, and is standard on all vehicles manufactured after 1980. The oxygen sensors are used to ensure that your engine is burning the correct amount of fuel, and running at peak performance.
Unplugging the TCM will eliminate the possibility of damaging the module during diagnosis and/or repair. The control module may be damaged when the metal case contacts battery voltage.
A loose gas cap is one of the most common reasons for the check engine light to go on. Check that your gas cap is screwed on securely and that it`s in good condition. If you have a tank of bad gas in the car, your check engine light may come on.
The TCM fuse is in the main fuse block and is probably 10 amps. If the fuse is blown, that is confirmation but the faulty fuse means there is a short circuit in the TCM and/or wiring that would have to be traced and repaired.
A transmission control unit (TCU), also known as a transmission control module (TCM), or a gearbox control unit (GCU), is a type of automotive ECU that is used to control electronic automatic transmissions.
It is possible that your automobile`s check engine light has come on because of a false alarm. This being said, if the engine control module (ECM) turned on the check engine light for no reason, the ECM could be malfunctioning itself. This crucial part is the heart of your automobile.
Check your gas cap first. Many vehicles have a loose gas cap indicator that will be triggered before your check engine light comes on. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.
This is because a car`s transmissions are operated through a computer system, which is powered by the battery. If the battery has corroded and the connections are starting to die, this may not shut the vehicle down, but can instead cause transmission problems off and on.
In the case of hypoid-type gearsets (where the gear tooth profile is both curved and oblique) that are commonly used in RWD differentials, losses in the 6 to 10 percent range are the norm, while loss from the driveshaft(s) and prop shaft(s) tend to account for about 0.5 to 1 percent of total loss, depending on how well …
Your transmission is a part of the engine that transforms power into torque. Torque is a force that rotates an object—like a wheel—around an axis or axle. Your transmission turns all of the motion in your engine into something that gets and keeps your car moving.
But a blown fuse No. 38 becomes a likely candidate causing a loss of power to the transmission solenoids.
Whether for a week, a month, or a year, if you ignore the check engine light, it puts your vehicle, and by extension, your personal safety at risk. Because your vehicle cannot alert you to new or worsening problems, small problems can quickly morph into large ones.
These problems can range from faults within the electrical system, the engine, fluid levels or to problems within the car`s emissions system. The problem can even be as simple as forgetting to tighten your gas cap – in fact, this is the most common reason why check engine lights appear in the first place.
Depending on the specific issue, your mechanic will need to repair or possibly replace the TCM. While this is a significant repair, you should not try to ignore signs of TCM failure as they will eventually render your vehicle inoperable.
Check The TCM Fuse
If there`s a blown fuse, then the TCM isn`t working at all. You want to rule out the fuse first before replacing your TCM. Find the fuse box. On a 2003-2009 Mazda 3, the fuse box is located in the engine compartment on the right side.
The TCM System is a modular and cost-effective high-performance tripping relay with integrated supervision functions designed for power utility protection and control applications. The TCM System provides a robust and reliable high-speed interface between the protection system and the circuit breaker.
It is basically the heart and brain in a modern production car. The PCM is a combined function of an ECM (Engine Control Module) and TCM (Transmission Control Module) wherein the PCM can handle the functions of an ECM and TCM combined and more.
So, the difference is that a `PCM` controls both the engine and transmission system, whereas an `ECU/ECM` or `TCM` controls only one of these systems.
The OBD-II scanner error code P0700 problem is a generic code that applies to vehicles equipped with OBD-II. It refers to the transmission control module (TCM) in the automatic transmission.
Your vehicle seems to have trouble downshifting when your vehicle slows down. Your vehicle`s engine roars loudly and has difficulty shifting to higher gears when you attempt to accelerate. Your vehicle`s gears shift unexpectedly to another gear or neutral when you`re driving.
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the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems – is it safe to drive it?
ANSWER : The first thing I would do is scan the vehicle for codes to determine if the TCM is still the issue. If codes for the TCM appear, depending on the code and the problem, you may be fine to drive that away. There is no way of telling how long the transmission will last, so it is a gamble to have the other repairs done. I would certainly get the brakes done as this is a safety issue, and get roadside assistance in case your vehicle’s transmission decides to fail unexpectedly. If you would like to have this all checked, a professional from YourMechanic can come to your location to inspect the car for you and recommend the correct actions.
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Can front wheel drive car engine power rear wheel drive
ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Would low engine oil cause the check engine light to come on in my 2002 Toyota Corolla
ANSWER : Hello. Typically low engine oil will not cause the check engine light to come on in your vehicle. Unless the oil level is low enough to cause a drop in engine oil pressure, the oil light will not even come on. I am glad that you checked the oil though before it caused any issues. Since the check engine light is on the computer needs to be scanned for codes. With the codes I would be able to diagnose what is going on with the car. It may be as simple as a loose gas cap or it may be something more serious. If you are going to have this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Battery light goes on when I start car then turns off, if I rev engine light comes back until rpms go down. Abs goes comes on/off
ANSWER : Batteries can die due to faults in the charging system so ideally a suspected "faulty" battery should be load tested before a decision is made to condemn it. The only exception to this rule is if the battery is already clearly "old" (greater than 5 years) but even then once you put a new battery in, as a replacement for a "dead" battery, you have to comprehensively check out the charging system. Diagnostic Trouble Code P0460 will result in disruption of the dashboard fuel gauge’s ability to accurately report your tank’s fuel levels. The fuel gauge readings may be erratic, or read somewhere off scale. Vehicles equipped with a low fuel warning light feature may also suffer from erratic low fuel warnings in the event of a code P0460. Unless the P0460 code has been reported alongside other trouble code, all of the vehicle’s essential systems should otherwise function normally. I would recommend that you request a check engine light diagnostic to first resolve the fault causing the P0460 code to set. The check gas cap light warning light could be due a faulty gas cap and/or small leaks in the EVAP system.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Engine Light and AT light. Car goes into limp mode
ANSWER : Hello. Most of the time this is the result of a transmission failure. It is common for this transmission to have internal pressure problem which will cause these codes. It can also be a voltage problem so I always check that first. I check the voltage going to the transmission and if it is too low I repair that issue which is commonly the ignition switch. If the voltage is fine, then the transmission pressures need to be checked and it will more than likely need to be replaced. I would have a transmission specialist look into this.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Traction light/reduced engine power and check engine light coming on
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle may be experiencing some sort of intermittent wiring or sensor issue. If the problem occurred again after driving over a bump, then it may be possible that a damaged or loose wire is shorting or having contact issues. A common issue that can cause stalling is a faulty crank position sensor or wiring. I would carefully examine the engine for any loose or damaged wires. If the Check Engine Light comes back on, I would recommend having the trouble codes scanned before resetting the computer.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Car started to slow down and then the check engine light, battery, and engine oil light came on. What could cause this?
ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible that the battery cable came loose or the wires to the oil pressure sensor has came loose or failed. Check the battery cables and make sure that the terminals are tight and clean. Check the wires to the oil pressure sensor and make sure that they are connected and not broken. If everything looks good, then the oil pressure sensor may have failed. Plus, check the computer for codes and see what is stored. This will lead you to the part that could have failed. I recommend replacing the oil pressure sensor then checking to see if the lights will go out. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your vehicle, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you with the warning lights that came on.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
Check Engine Light comes on after starting pickup
ANSWER : Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1992 Isuzu Pickup. A professional will have the correct equipment to read OBD1 codes. Retrieving the diagnostic trouble code(s) is the first place to start when diagnosing your vehicle. Increasing RPMs changes engine load, which can in turn affect many different sensors and components, causing the Check Engine Light to illuminate. The only way to narrow down the options and find the culprit is through in person diagnosis with an OEM compatible scan tool. A certified technician from YourMechanic can retrieve the OBD codes at your home or office.
Read Full Q/A … : TCM causes engine light to come on, but no transmission problems
