Where Is Transmission Control Module Located? - Vehicle Freak

• Emma Davies

Updated on September 16, 2022

Your transmission control module (TCM), also known as the transmission control unit (TCU), is an automotive electronic control unit designed to control your vehicle’s automatic transmission.

Just like any aspect of your car, it can fail or become faulty over time, although they are designed to last the entire lifespan of your vehicle.

The TCM is vital in any vehicle that runs on an automatic transmission system and may also be responsible for sending OBD2 codes to your car’s computer when there is a fault. But where is the transmission control module located?

The location of your transmission control module will vary depending on what make and model vehicle you have. The most common places for the TCM are: under the center console in your car, on the transmission itself, or inside the glovebox.

Where Is the Transmission Control Module Located?

The link between your engine and transmission system is vital to maintaining the smoothest driving experience and enabling you to reach speed as well as take off from a stationary position.

If you ignore your failing transmission control module this can lead to expensive repairs to your engine and bad efficiency, so where is the transmission control module located?

The most common place to find a vehicle’s transmission control module is underneath the center console of your vehicle, so it may be difficult to reach without removing some of your interior features.

But before you start hunting under the center console you might find that your transmission control module is located on your transmission itself, or sometimes inside the gearbox.

This all depends on the make and model of your vehicle and its internal layout, but there is a way to avoid all the guesswork.

If you look inside your car repair manual then you will be able to find the exact location of your transmission control module, or you can ask a mechanic or your vehicle’s dealership to give you more information and help you diagnose if your TCM really is the issue at fault.

Signs of a Failing Transmission Control Module

If you’re trying to find your transmission control module then chances are you think it is not working as expected and want to check it out for any damage yourself.

Now we know where to find the transmission control module, how can you be sure it is your TCM that is failing? Here are the most commonly reported symptoms that may indicate your transmission control module is going bad.

Check Engine Light

If your engine management light is illuminated then chances are it could be a huge range of issues ranging from a loose gas cap, up to more serious failure and damage.

If your check engine light is illuminated and you also have other symptoms that are listed below, then you may want to consider the chance that you have a failing transmission control module.

If you have a scan tool, then you may want to check what the pending trouble code is on your vehicle or ask a local garage to use their scan tool to diagnose the cause of your check engine light.

Problems Shifting

Although this is a vague sounding problem, as your TCM is mainly responsible for controlling your vehicle shifting then you will notice a variety of issues with your gear shifting if it really is your TCM that is failing.

As you increase in speed your transmission should know to correctly shift into higher gears based on your engine’s RPMs.

When your vehicle upshifts you will notice a slight drop in your RPM, but if your transmission control module is failing then it may not reach the speeds you want as it fails to work up through the gears.

The opposite can also occur too, and your transmission will not drop gears as your speed decreases which can prevent you from moving from a stationary position as you won’t be in first gear.

You might also notice your vehicle is stuck in the same gear such as 1st or neutral position and you won’t be able to go anywhere fast.

Fuel Economy

As your TCM is responsible for putting your vehicle into the best gear for efficiency and performance, this will maintain your usual fuel economy thanks to reliable shifting patterns.

However, if your TCM has faults then it won’t be able to properly shift and maintain your usual fuel economy. The bad shift timings will cause your engine to work harder and this means it consumes more fuel, and more of your money too.

FAQs

How long does it take to replace a transmission control module?

If your car’s TCM is responsible for the faults then you may need to get it replaced. The amount of time it takes to replace a transmission control module will vary depending on if your vehicle uses rear-wheel drive or front-wheel.

Rear-wheel drive will take anywhere from 1-2 days to replace, whereas front-wheel drive can take twice as long and you could be waiting up to 4 days to get your vehicle back.

Can a car run without a TCM?

Without a transmission control module, your vehicle will not be able to run efficiently and this can lead to excessive wear and strain on your engine components.

How much does it cost to reprogram a transmission control module?

Reprogramming a transmission control module can cost anywhere between $75 and $250 depending on if you choose a local garage or local; dealership to do the job.

Is the TCM inside the transmission?

A large number of modern cars, trucks, and SUVs have their TCM located within the transmission

Conclusion

Your transmission control module is a vital part of your automatic transmission as it is responsible for maintaining efficient shifting patterns, preventing engine wear, maintaining your fuel economy, and allowing you to take off in the correct gears.

Your transmission control module can be uncovered in a variety of locations from under your center console, around the footwell of your vehicle, in the transmission case, or even within your gearbox. The best way to find yours is through your car’s repair manual.

Check out more information on the transmission control modules below.

• How Do You Reprogram A Transmission Control Module
• How To Reset a Chevy Transmission Control Module
• How To Reset The Ford Transmission Control Module
• How To Reset A Chrysler Transmission Control Module