1995 1.3L, Canadian Model, Two Automatic Transaxle Questions.
f100240
11-23-2006, 12:02 PM
If anyone knows how to extract TCM trouble codes for my car I would appreciate your help. I have the factory service manual, but it shows a different car than mine. Mine has a 6 cavity connector with 3 contacts in it hanging down from the TCM harness which is on the driver's side. There is also a 4 cavity connector with two contacts in it hanging from the harness from the ECM on the passenger side. I don't want to experiment with these and damage something. The problem I have is the tranaxle has to be shifted manually for the first few miles on many days before it starts to work on its own. Also, sometimes it will downshift into second gear when driving 60 or so. When I disconnect the TCM it doesn't improve. The factory manual says that means the problem is in the transaxle, not the electronic controls. I don't think this is necessarily true because when it is working right disconnecting the TCM causes it to stop shifting automatically.
The only guess I have about what is wrong is maybe the transaxle range switch.
By the way, my car has 99000 miles on it and I have changed and checked the transaxle fluid.Thanks for any help you can give. Barry.
The only guess I have about what is wrong is maybe the transaxle range switch.
By the way, my car has 99000 miles on it and I have changed and checked the transaxle fluid.Thanks for any help you can give. Barry.
hot_sd
11-23-2006, 05:00 PM
Yes, automatic shifting is done by the engine computer (or the TCM in this case) - later models incorporate the TCM and ECM into one unit. The only way to say for sure is to drive around with the shift solenoid connector disconnected. It should remain in the selected gear (eg in "D" you will remain in third).
Once you confirm this you can then troubleshoot the responsible component. There could be many reasons why this is happening. Firstly just try to clean all the connectors to the transmission. If that does not help the culprits could be the VSS, the TPS, the TCM itself and possible the range switch.
Your FSM should have info on how to troubleshoot the transaxle control system.
The shift solenoid connector is the one with the wires going to the rear of the transaxle to the right (around where the countershaft resides).
Once you confirm this you can then troubleshoot the responsible component. There could be many reasons why this is happening. Firstly just try to clean all the connectors to the transmission. If that does not help the culprits could be the VSS, the TPS, the TCM itself and possible the range switch.
Your FSM should have info on how to troubleshoot the transaxle control system.
The shift solenoid connector is the one with the wires going to the rear of the transaxle to the right (around where the countershaft resides).
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025