I know a lot of people who have problems with gear shifting with Chevy Silverado TCM. Most of the time, resetting the transmission control module can solve the problem. But how to reset the transmission control module Chevy Silverado is a big question.
Well, it’s easy. You turn the car key and press the gas pedal for ten seconds. After that, you wait for the engine to rest and go for a drive afterward.
Now, it’s a simple trick. To keep things specific, I am discussing the Chevy Silverado 2014 model. It’s a widely popular model on the market, and keeping things specific can help us understand things better.
Where Is The Transmission Control Module Located?
As a technician, often, I had to check for the transmission control unit on the 2013 or 2014 Silverado. In most models, you can find the TCM in one of two places.
Generally, you can find the TCM at the rear of the transmission and engine area. To be precise, it’s under the transmission case right underneath the cover. But if you can’t find it there, there’s another place you can look.
You can look at it under the center console. The center console should be in between the driver and passenger seat.
What Are the Symptoms Of A Bad Transmission Control Module?
In all my years of experience, I had to inspect TCM problems on a regular basis. Yes, a bad TCM means trouble. As far as I am concerned, you don’t have to replace the transmission control unit unless it’s completely ruined.
Most of the time, people never acknowledge the primary symptoms of TCM problems. That’s why I am laying out some of them for you:
1. The Shifting’s Unpredictable
Your automatic transmission system relies on the TCM to operate shifting correctly. But when you feel your vehicle shifting is incorrect, the TCM has problems. There are also cases of unintentional gear shiftings.
2. Have Problems with High Gearing or Downgearing
You will notice the RPM on your vehicle is on the rise, but the gear is not moving toward a high point. For down gearing, the problem is similar to the first order.
3. Delay in Shifting Gears
A delay in shifting gears is another major problem for a faulty TCM. It’s because a TCM with a problem will cycle to the next gear slowly. So, acceleration or making a slow pass is problematic.
4. Cannot Change the Gear
If you are stuck in just one gear, it means your Chevy Silverado TCM is at fault. Generally, the gear stays stuck in neutral or first gear. I have handled plenty of cases where the Silverado gear shifting is not working. Calls for a repair.
5. Fuels Running Short
Mainly, TCM allows for optimal gear selection and timing to adjust with your vehicle’s acceleration. This allows for convenient gear shifting. And when you have problems with shifting gears, fuel economy is bound to get pitiful.
What Does Resetting Transmission Control Module Do?
Usually, you don’t need to replace your car’s existing TCM. Instead, you can reprogram a transmission control module. So what does resetting TCM do?
Mainly, a faulty TCM indicates there’s a trouble code in the Intelligent control software. Basically, TCM is more like a computer even though you don’t have enough options to find the transmission control bug.
Well, you can use a scan tool to diagnose the software to find the problem. And the only option to solve or clear it from your engine is resetting it. Once you reset the TCM on your Chevy Silverado, all the diagnosed problems are cleared away unless there’s any hardware problem.
How To Reset Transmission Control Module Chevy Silverado?
Now, you may wonder why transmission control module reset is a difficult task. In truth, it’s a simple procedure that you can do on your own. There are two ways you can reprogram TCM on Chevy Silverado vehicles.
First Method: Step-by-Step Procedure
Now, here are the simple steps you can follow to reset TCM:
Step 1: Grab Your Keys and Turn them On – Not the Engine
First, turn your car on. While turning it on, keep an eye on the dash light; make sure it’s visible. When the light turns on, you will hear two clicks from your Chevy Silverado. Of course, you don’t start the engine.
Step 2: Press the Gas Pedal
Now, the engines are off, and you need to press the gas pedal of your vehicle. Don’t release the gas pedal right away. Wait for 10 seconds before you release the pedal.
Step 3: Turn the Key off without removing it
Keep the gas pedal down, and then turn the key off. Don’t remove the key from the keyhole yet. Now, you have to release the gas pedal first.
Step 4: Wait Till the Engine Rests
Now, wait for 2 or 3 minutes so that the engine can rest. It’s essential to reset the OEM parts of your Chevy Silverado.
Step 5: Go for the Drive
Just go out for a 10 to 20-minute drive on the roads. Try to drive on an empty road just in case to stay safe. Now, the module control for transmission should go back to the default phase.
Alternative Method: Step-by-Step Procedure for Hard Reset
Earlier, I discussed the straightforward way to reprogram TCM. However, keeping the key (described in step 3) won’t work in most cases.
It’s because TCM reset varies from chevy to chevy. So, keeping the key and pressing the gas pedal won’t work. But from my experience, it’s a rare case. However, if it fails, you can go for a hard reset.
Here’s a step-by-step instruction for Hard TCM reset:
- Step 1: First, disconnect the battery of your Chevy Silverado. Make sure to disconnect the negative cable first.
- Step 2: After that, you need to press your horn. This way, you are draining any excess energy lingering inside the vehicle system.
- Step 3: Now, you need to reconnect the battery. In this case, connect the positive control first.
Note: This is the last option for you to reprogram the control module for transmission. It will reset the entire electric system on your Chevy Silverado.
people also ask (FAQs)
Will disconnecting the battery reset TCM?
Hard reset or disconnecting the battery reset can’t restore the TCM to default settings. Well, it can solve the problem temporarily, but you will still face gear-shifting issues.
Does a new Transmission Control Module need to be reset after installing one?
Of course, you do. Without reprogramming the TCM, your vehicle can’t shift gears perfectly. It’s because you need to reprogram it to match the vehicle-specific VIN.
Will a faulty transmission control module cause a car not to start?
It’s possible that a faulty transmission control module can cause a car not to start. In most cases, it affects the gear shifting.
How To Reset All ECU’s And Control Modules In Your Car Or Truck Safely >> Check out the video below:
Wrapping Up
When you doubt there’s a problem in your Transmission control module, looking for common problems is always a good idea. Then, your focus should be on finding an easy fix. As a technician, I always try to find an easy fix.
But just as I said, resetting the TCM won’t restore the module to its default setting. You need to rely on the transmission scan method to restore the defaults. But to do so, you need to consult an expert technician.
