Chevy and GMC Duramax Diesel Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts

· Premium Member
Joined
·
18,259 Posts
Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Be careful when jump starting another vehicle-- can fry the $1,000 TCM.
Document ID: 2074199
#PIP3605A: CTC U0101
No engine crank and no communication with TCM
Feb. 29,2008

Models affected:
2006-2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic
2007-2008 Chevrolet Silverado
2006-2007 GMC Sierra Classic
2007-2008 GMC Sierra
Equipped with Allison LCT-1000(RPO-MW7)Automatic Transmissions
Customer may comment that the vehicle will not crank or start/will not shift after vehicle has been jump started due to battery run down or after installation of after market equipment.Technicians may find no communication with the TCM and or DTC U101 [my PPE had only a C101,which I know isn't the actual DTC]stored in other modules.
A few TCM's have been returned from the field for analysis because of the above symptoms.The field returned TCM's were analyzed and found to have two battery ground nodes inside the TCM damaged by excessive electrical current passing through the heatsink of the TCM.The nodes affected described as wire bonds are wire tied to pins 9 and 69[battery ground pins] of the TCM.
The TCM is manufactured so that the heatsink of the TCM is isolated from all vehicle electrical systems including vehicle chassis ground.Do not ground welders,battery chargers,electrostatic painters or any other equipment to the heatsink.Disconnect the 80 way connector from the TCM when electrically welding etc. to the vehicle.
To avoid damaging the TCM in this manner,NEVER ALLOW the following:
1. Battery positive wires to touch the heatsink of the TCM[e.g.When jump starting vehicle]
2. Positive battery power chassis harness wire to pin 10 and pin 70 of the TCM to be wired without fuse protection of 10-15 amps.
3. Physical contact between heatsink and vehicle chassis or other ground circuit points.
4. Electrical grounding of devices such as arc welders,battery chargers,and electrostatic painters,or jumper cables to the TCM heatsink.


Recommendations/Instructions: Take the following steps to check for damaged ground wire bondsif the symptoms for a concern are ''No Engine Crank'' and/or ''No Communications'' with Tech II.
1.Switch ignition key off.
2. Disconnect the TCM electrical connector and remove TCM from the vehicle.
3. Test for continuity between pins 9 and 69 at the TCM.If continuity exists between pins 9 and 69,then refer to steps in eSI for ''NO Engine Crank'' and/or ''No Communications''

If the circuit between pins 9 and 69 have no continuity,then the TCM has been damaged/shorted from some sort of external source shorting to the heatsink of the TCM.

1. Inspect for the source that shorted the TCM heatsink.
2. Eliminate or repair the source or condition that caused the damage.
3. Replace damaged TCM after the condition that caused the TCM damage has been corrected.

NOTE: Visual surface pits and carbon deposits are typically found on the TCM heatsink when high energy arcs are generated by shorts between the heatsink and battery power.
 

· Im Superrrrr!
Joined
·
14,913 Posts
Good to know....sticky worthy!!
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
10,627 Posts
X2 definitely good info! Don't touch anything to the tcm heat sink basically...

Seems like common sense, but new mental note created.

Sent from my Droid using the AutoGuide app while not driving...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Muzbomb

· Im Superrrrr!
Joined
·
14,913 Posts
I have always wondered how you would check it to be good or bad.
 

· Premium Member
Joined
·
18,259 Posts
Discussion Starter · #5 ·
Yes, several did ground the TCM and was able to get it started. They usually replace the TCM for a $$$$ after. I know I would try it.

I don't know how they did it-- maybe someone will post.
 

· Its just a worktruck
19 Sierra
Joined
·
15,991 Posts
I fried mine and grounded the TCM to get it started. The vehicle will not move under these conditions however. I used a piece of 4 gauge power wire and touched the case of the TCM with one end and the Ground post near the valve cover with the other.

And a new TCM is not $1,000. It's $250.00. :)
 
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top