Are you having some trouble with your current transmission control module of Dodge? Sure, you can go ahead and the new one. But before you spent money on that, why don’t you try resetting it first.
Many times, resetting a transmission control module can have drastic changes that exceed expectations. Want to know how to reset TCM on a Dodge? Then stick to this article till the end.
When should you reset a transmission control module?
Whenever you face trouble with your transmission control module, you should try resetting it first. Noticing the trouble is very simple. If you are having problems with your shifting, that can be due to some problems with the transmission control module. Resetting it then may fix your problem.
How do you reset the transmission control module on a dodge?
There are several ways to reset the transmission control module on your car. What works for you will rely on the Dodge model you have. Some of them are pretty easy, and some are a bit tricky.
The easiest way to reset the transmission is to disconnect the battery for a while. This can work in most cases. Also, it doesn’t harm your car anyway, so that you can try this out.
If that doesn’t work, you can move on to the trickier stuff. Here are the steps-
- First of all, you have to cycle your car to the run state. When you do that, make sure not to press the brake pedal.
- After that, you have to keep the gas pedal pressed up. Again, make sure to do this slowly but keep the pressure on there for a while.
- While keeping the pressure on the gas pedal, cycle to the off state quickly.
- Now, wait for a while till you start up the car once again. With a start, after a while, your TCM should already be reset and good to go.
Other than this generic process of restarting your TCM, there is another way. Unfortunately, this one is a bit tricky to figure out. Also, it depends a lot on the car model.
In this restart method, you pull out the fuse and cycle it on, then put the fuse back in. Sounds simple right?
But here’s the tricky part, you have to figure out the right fuse number or id to make it work. There are no exact numbers or identities of users. You will have to find that out based on the model you are currently driving. The method is the same for all the cars.
Signs of a Bad Transmission Control Module
Before you go into resetting the TCM, you will have to know if there is something wrong with it or not. To figure that out, you can look out for the following signs-
- Random shifting: All the gear shifting signals come from the transmission control module. So, if you have bad transmission control, it will cause false shifting patterns.
- Problems with higher gears: When you have a bad TCM, it doesn’t shift into a higher gear level at the right time. This way, you will never reach the speed you want to get.
- Problems with lowering gear: With a bad transmission control module, you will have a hard time getting to a lower gear as well. A bad TCM can cause it to stay in the same high gear as it was before.
- Being stuck in first gear: Sometimes, your car can get stuck on the first gear and don’t move from there. This is a clear sign of a bad transmission control module. It also happens being stuck in the neutral gear.
- Less fuel efficiency: The function of an automatic transmission is to provide you best gear selection at perfect times to get you better fuel efficiency. With a bad transmission, you will miss out on that.
- Engine light signal: This is not the most definitive symptom for a bad transmission, but it’s there. But when you see the check engine light sign while having shifting issues, it means there is something wrong with your TCM or any other part of the transmission system.
Whenever you see any of the above signs, take immediate action because a failure in gear shifting can cause terrifying accidents. So, you have to be aware of that.
What else can you do other than TCM reset?
If you have issues with the transmission control unit, you can surely try resetting it. However, that’s not the only thing to do. You can either opt for a repair of the TCM from any transmission shop or your car dealer. Another option is to replace the TCM completely. In most cases, this is the best decision to go for.
Now, the question is, how much does it cost to replace a TCM? Usually, a TCM can cost from $400 to $700 just for the parts. It doesn’t include the labor cost. The labor cost may vary based on different areas. In any case, it will go somewhere within $50 to $200.
To be honest, that’s a bit expensive; this is why you should try out resetting the TCM first. Then you can opt for a repair from any dealer or transmission shop of your preference.
Is the resetting procedure of every Dodge Model the same?
No, the resetting procedure for different Dodge models isn’t the same. On some Dodge models, you can try out removing the battery for a while and then inserting it to reset the TCM. However, that doesn’t work with every model.
In some cases, you have to follow some steps to reset the TCM. We have discussed the steps above. Other than that, you can try out removing the fuse. And it’s a different fuse number for different Dodge models, so you have to look through that as well.
FAQ
Here are some common questions asked about resetting transmission control module-
Q-1: Is it possible to reset the transmission computer by disconnecting the battery?
A: If you are getting any error codes, then you can try disconnecting the battery. Disconnecting your battery for about 15 minutes can essentially clear all the codes and reset the engine light. However, it doesn’t solve issues with the computer itself. Instead, it will give a restart to the whole system that can be a temporary fix.
Q-2: Will disconnecting battery reset TCM?
A: In some car models, disconnecting the battery can reset the TCM. But that won’t solve any issues or help you do a quick learn on TCM. Instead, it can give it a fresh start and clear out some of the error codes.
Conclusion
All in all, if you can get away with just resetting the TCM, then you will be saving a lot of money. However, to do that, you have to figure out the issues quickly and reset the TCM. Now that you know the symptoms of a bad TCM, you can take action.