HELP need new transmission controller.

[Italian Lunaticz]

Been awhile. Anyway i still have the GT been running good but the other day it was acting strange. I realized its now running in fail safe mode which it did 2 years ago. At that time i had to replace the transmission controller? Thats what they called it. It cost about $1000 for part and install. Now 2 years later i have the same problem and it needs replaced. They said it was wet which is possible when my power window was broke for a while. Anyway i could of swore this part was like $150 and i know they have to be screwing me over. If anyone has any info on this part or if its called something else let me know because im not to sure what im looking for. Thanks.

[youngcaradvc]

I assume you have an automatic transmission right?

If you do, then it is most likely the TCU (transmission control unit).
The same thing happened to my 3000GT. Does it only go into reverse, nuetral, and 3rd gear? Sounds like you have what a lot of people have with these cars. It could also be some bad wires I think?

Anyway 1000 bucks is a ripoff by a ton, you can get one of these off ebay for under 100 dollars. I would personally, either get a new one, or get yours rebuilt. That what Im having done to mine, and also check the wires/connectors to be sure. That sucks man, do a search through AF.com and you will find others with the same, might help you out. If this problem has been repeated, then it might be something other then the TCU, of which I have no idea. I asked about this, my thread is near the bottom of the page under I just got a 1992 300GT! Pm HotShot8792 if you cannot find any help, hes the expert on autos.

If its a manual then you can ignore everything I have just said. Do a search, it will help a ton. Don't make the mistake I did by coming on here with a ton of questions without doing much research.

[Italian Lunaticz]

Thanks a lot. Yeah its an auto and this has happened before. But i had a broken window where water got in and their saying it damaged that. It does just like you said reverse neutral and starts in 3rd gear. In the manual its called fail-safe mode. They checked all the wiring and it came down to the TCU but i knew it didnt cost 1000. Thanks. Also im assuming you have to drop the tranny to replace that?

[Linebckr49]

i have the Mitsubishi Part Lookup Program (CAPS), and found the ATX controller (TCU) and for retail, brand new, it sells for $512-$633. but granted, you can easily find one used for around $100.

[sportsb4life7]

i have 100% the same problem as you right now... slow get going then fine past like 5-20mph and shakes above 65-70ish???? i wonder if its one thing that is wrong or like 5 different things can cause the fail safe mode? ( that sounded confusing ....as in- could be only one thing that causes fail safe or there are a couple things that can cause it (not like multiply problems at once if you know what i mean) i really need it fixed i need to test out my g-tech controller!! and my car cant take anyone-! grr

EDITTTTT:::: Can this be installed yourself?!? or is it really complicated(pulling out engine/trans)... thanks

REDIT::: Can this cause the CEL (check engine light) to go on also?!

[Igovert500]

No tranny drop or pull necessary. THe TCU is a little metal box usually somewhere inside the car, generally near the firewall, like the ECU. In any other car I've ever pulled on, it's taken under 20 mins.

TCU or any trans problem for that matter wont cause a CEL. If you have one, you need to get the code(s) pulled as you have a different/additional issue as well.

[Italian Lunaticz]

Thanks for all the help anyone know where i can get one online? Having trouble finding anything. Igovert you wouldnt happen to know of any manuals on the net to install that or at least pinpoint where it exactly is at do you? Thanks for the help.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3000G...spagenameZWD1V

Is this it or no?

[Linebckr49]

i do NOT think that is a TCU. i've been looking through his other auctions in the seller's ebay store, and he has a bunch of other computers from the 91 SL, but he has no idea what they are, and when he lists them as something, its another totally different part. i've been running the part numbers here http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...?siteid=214093. i use this website (sponsored by a dealership) to run part numbers to confirm it with my WinCAPS Mitsu Program.

from the WinCAPS, i've found all the part numbers for the TCU's. they are:
MD 740087
MD 758086
MD 755013
MD 756032
MD 759739

in general, a mitsubishi part number will have 2 letters (either MD, MB, MR, etc) followed by a 6-digit number. so the auction you are referring to give a chip/module (whateverthehellitis) with supposed part number E8T07871. this is not a valid part number b/c of the aforementioned guideline. however, i'm sure it is some kind of identifying number, but i just haven't found out yet what exactly it is, what it corresponds to, or how to use it.

[Italian Lunaticz]

Linebckr thanks for the model numbers. I found one its for a 96 but that should still be fine with mine which is a 93 right? Also does anyone know where the TCU is exactly located and how to install it?

[Linebckr49]

here are some good thread about TCU's. they include overall information, how to diagnose problems, compatibility, and more.

http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread....&highlight=tcu

these posts in the same thread reveal the secret location (shhh! don't tell anyone) of the TCU.

http://www.3si.org/forum/showpost.ph...1&postcount=10
http://www.3si.org/forum/showpost.ph...9&postcount=13

pictures of the TCU (please note, this is just one model serial number. there are other serial numbers in my post above that may fit other models.)

[sportsb4life7]

Italian Lunaticz does ur car also shake above like 65-70?

[Igovert500]

The ecus aren't compatible, so I wouldn't assume hte TCUs are either. Don't buy a 96. Buy a 93. 91 or 92 if you have to.

[Linebckr49]

here's a guy on you know where that's selling his ATX computer from a 1st gen stealth for 50 bucks. already bought some stuff from him. nice guy.

http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread....2&page=1&pp=10

[Linebckr49]

ok, i found this thread, FINALLY (search feature on here is incompetent and retarded. says there are no results for "tcu"...which is bullcrap, so i search for "automatic transmission", get plenty of hits, and what acronym is all over this page?? "TCU".)

i thought i'd update this thread with more info on the ATX, TCU, and more detailed information.

Igovert---> we should keep an ATX thread going and/or link this to the FAQ thread.
----------------------

TCU Repair Services

here is a nice thread (http://www.3si.org/forum/showthread....7&page=1&pp=10) describing the TCU and related transmission parts/areas including the pulse generators, solenoids, close inspection of an opened TCU, valve body, TCU codes/meanings/where to find, and much more and PICS too.

[Linebckr49]

here's another GREAT page for our FWD Automatic Transmission www.plymouthlaser.com

although the title says "plymouth laser" and the page title says "Talon, Laser, Eclipse 1G info for the DSM", our transmissions (ATX and some MTX) were used in the DSM cars. so if you ever need info on your transmission, search for DSM sites b/c there is much more of an aftermarket for those cars.

to confirm my comments about our transmissions being DSM equivalents, on the page under the "Auto Transmission FAQS and Tips" scroll down menu, select "AT Transmission Tips and FAQs", scroll down the page to "What kind of transmission do you have?" and you'll see the our 3S atx at the top of the list!

this link http://www.plymouthlaser.com/tcucodes.htm tells you how to pull the codes from the TCU using a multimeter (analog). its very similar to pulling codes from the ECU counting short/long analog meter sweeps.

basically, everything under the "Auto Transmission FAQS and Tips" scroll down menu is pertinent and VERY informative and helpful to the ATX.