Last updated on January 22nd, 2024
Automatic transmissions will not function without a transmission control module. It makes it possible for the transmission to generate moving power. It will be impossible to change gears without the transmission control unit.
Hence, the transmission control module is an important part of automatic transmission.
You definitely won’t be able to drive with a bad transmission control module. At times you feel you should probably get a new one because it feels faulty, why not try the reset process?
Not to worry, it’s not much of a task. This article will give a step-by-step outline that will help you in resetting the transmission control module chevy whenever you need to.
The Step-by-step Reset Process For a Transmission Control Module Chevy
Step 1: Turn the Key Position
The first thing to do in the reset process of your transmission control module chevy is to go through the key position. The key position needs to be set at the position 2 marks.
An important precaution is to check for your car’s dashboard light visibility. If you can see that the car’s dashboard lights are visible, then you are ready for the next step.
After you have adjusted your key position to 2, be alert to hear and distinguish various sounds.
You do not need to step on the gas pedal and start the car at this time. There will be 2 clicks that you should hear if you are at alert and if your dashboard light is visible enough you will be able to see the lights come on.
Step 2: Step on the Gas Pedal
The next line of action after you’ve rightly turned the key position is to step on the gas pedal.
Clamp-on the accelerator pedal, of course with your leg. What you want to achieve in this step is to get the kick-down switch activated, so you will need to exert force on the accelerator pedal and press it all the way down.
The kick-down switch must be activated, so all you need to do in this step is to keep pressing on the foot pedal.
Step 3: Hold back for Some Minutes
Resetting a Chevy transmission control module requires you to be patient, it’s not going to be done in a minute. But then, you won’t have to wait for so long, about 10 minutes of wait time is just fine.
While you wait, you will need to keep up with the previous step. Pressure should not be taken off the gas pedal.
Within the 10 minutes time frame, the gas pedal should start working for the full reset process. Once it starts to work, press on the pedal and wait for about 10 – 20 seconds.
Step 4: Turn the Key off
Without releasing your foot from the pedal, return the key position to zero marks.
In other words, get back the key to its previous position it was before you had it changed in step 1. You should be careful to not remove the key after turning it off.
Step 5: Let Go of the Gas Pedal
Once your key is set to the zero mark, stop exerting force on the gas pedal. Make sure you have your key turned off before taking your leg off the gas pedal.
Make no mistake of releasing the pedal when you still have your keep positioned as in step 1.
Therefore ensure you have your leg on the pedal in the previous step and only take your leg off the accelerator pad when you must have turned your car key off.
Step 6: Give your Chevy Engine Some Time to Rest
We can understand that you want to be done with your Chevy reset process as fast as you can have it. But your little waiting time will prevent complications during the restart process.
So at the end of step 4, then you must have had your foot lifted from the accelerator, is the time to allow your Chevy to rest a bit 2-3 minutes is enough resting time for your Chevy Engine.
You see, you didn’t have to wait for so long.
At this time, your key is still left in the off position but be careful to not shift the key around as you wait. Once your 3 minutes are completed, then you can go ahead with the next step.
Step 7: Ready for a Test Ride
At the end of step 6, you would have successfully done the engine control unit and the transmission control unit process. All that is required of you in this step is to give your car a test ride.
The transmission control unit and the engine control unit will work together and in readiness to know your driving technique, take note of your driving pattern and also check your driving methods.
Anywhere around 20 – 25 minutes is perfectly fine and enough for your car drive test.
Do I need to go for a test ride after the programming of the ECU and TCU have been done?
Yes! It is the 7th step and not just a tip. It is necessary because the step has you educating your car engine on how you drive.
You should not be driving your car as if you are racing well except if you use your car more for racing.
But if you don’t, be sure to choose a decent speed. The regular speed at which you drive your car will pass for a decent speed since you will be mostly driving using that speed.
You don’t need to drive at your maximum speed during the test drive.
Be sure to choose a transmission that is typical and smooth as that gives you the chance to be able to effortlessly move your gearbox and also allows you to have something new in your car.
You may also like: How do I Reset my Instrument Cluster?
Signs of a Bad Transmission Control Module
A bad transmission Control Module spells trouble for your car and driving it will bring more headaches. You will be able to find out what signs to look out for in a bad TCM after reading the next few lines.
1. Check the Engine Warning Light
An engine warning light illuminating your dashboard does not right away point to a bad TCM.
It could be any other problem. It is only when the engine warning light is accompanied by a noticeable gear shifting that you can begin to think of your car suffering from a bad transmission control module or some other components of your vehicle’s transmission system.
For example, if you notice a jerky gear shifting, it may mean that you need a transmission fluid change.
But for accuracy in getting your vehicle checked, you should either visit a mechanic or make use of a transmission scan tool to check for diagnostic trouble codes.
2. Check for Abnormal Gear Shifts
An automatic transmission system needs the transmission control module to function. A bad TCM will cause Gear slippage.
Hear slippage makes an optimal gear selection impossible and this results in incorrect or unintended shifting. Apart from the fact that gear slippage can be so annoying, it can also cause accidents.
And so because of this risk, your control module will need to be changed as soon as the problem is noticed.
When your transmission is unable to correctly shift into higher gears from lower gears at the right time and/or it can’t shift from the lower gear to the lowest gear, you have an abnormal gear shift condition and need to resolve it without wasting time.
Delayed shifting or being stuck in the same gear is a result of Bad TCM.
For example, if you are driving at say, a 3rd gear and you see a reason to downshift but you are unable to decelerate and change the gear to a lower gear but you just remain stuck on the same gear, then you will agree with me that it is a transmission problem that needs your urgent attention.
3. Poor Fuel Economy
When you experience bad fuel economy, it is a result of a bad transmission system. An automatic transmission is designed to allow timing and optimal gear selection and so allows for possible fuel economy.
When you have a bad TCM, your vehicle will give way to more fuel consumption and get you to spend more money getting fuel.
If your vehicle’s engine control module has a closed-loop fuel control, it can result in a cold start engine if the fuel-to-air ratio is low.
A cold start engine causes the headlight switch to go off, the battery terminals can get disconnected too.
So when you notice these signs, they could be a result of a bad transmission control model.
Final Words
Now that you know the warning signs to look out for when you possibly have a bad transmission control module, you won’t have to be quick to rush out to get a new gearbox but instead, you can follow the step-by-step reset process as outlined in this article to reset your TCM.
The reset process is not time taking, about 15 minutes will be enough to reset your TCM Chevy and another 15 minutes will be enough to test ride your vehicle.
It is as easy as that. Let us know in the comment section if you find this helpful.
