TCM not working code (U0100) *DEAD CAR*

[Amtexas24]

Hey guys, 4.6 A/T with 135k. I’ve ran into a big issue with the TCM And had the car shut off for the first time while I’m on the highway. Once I got it home the U0100 code appeared on my OBD tool and specified the connection was lost with the TCM. My car can still run and shift through gears normally but once I stop at a store and get back in the vehicle it will not ignite. Everything goes black and no power is present unless I slam the trunk or remove the battery cables for a few minutes. Im almost certain I have a short in the harness but I also noticed this contact point missing on the female connector. Is everyone else’s connection like this as well? If not how do I diagnose the shorted wire without going to the stealership? Thanks you guys and be safe out there!

 

[joegr]

Sorry, but this is a pet peeve of mine. Many people say "short" when they really mean some other electrical problem. A "short" would typically blow a fuse(s) and/or burn wires and/or run the battery down. A short is when the current finds a return path that was not intended, like when two bare wires touch. (Of course, not all shorts result in blown fuses and such. Shorts between signal wires would be one example.) What you are actually describing is much more likely to be an "open." An open is when a wire breaks or a connector does not make good contact and so on.

Lots of connectors will have unpopulated contacts. I don't know the specifics of the one you are showing, but it looks more likely that the the two missing contacts were never there (and are not supposed to be). If you can look at the back side of the connector, you should find that there are no wires in those two positions either.

You need to look really closely at all the ground connections around the battery. You should unbolt them (disconnect the negative battery clamp first) and sand them clean and then reconnect them. Also verify that the positive connections are good (clean and tight). I have heard of problems with the positive clamp where there is sometimes (don't know about yours) a fuse and some current sensing elements. I suspect that the TCM code is either not an issue at all, or at least has little to do with your problem.

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

Sorry, but this is a pet peeve of mine. Many people say "short" when they really mean some other electrical problem. A "short" would typically blow a fuse(s) and/or burn wires and/or run the battery down. A short is when the current finds a return path that was not intended, like when two bare wires touch. (Of course, not all shorts result in blown fuses and such. Shorts between signal wires would be one example.) What you are actually describing is much more likely to be an "open." An open is when a wire breaks or a connector does not make good contact and so on.

Lots of connectors will have unpopulated contacts. I don't know the specifics of the one you are showing, but it looks more likely that the the two missing contacts were never there (and are not supposed to be). If you can look at the back side of the connector, you should find that there are no wires in those two positions either.

You need to look really closely at all the ground connections around the battery. You should unbolt them (disconnect the negative battery clamp first) and sand them clean and then reconnect them. Also verify that the positive connections are good (clean and tight). I have heard of problems with the positive clamp where there is sometimes (don't know about yours) a fuse and some current sensing elements. I suspect that the TCM code is either not an issue at all, or at least has little to do with your problem.

I agree with joegr. Start with the basics.

 

[Amtexas24]

Thank you both for the response, So wether I’m looking for a short or a open is a cheapo innova multimeter suitable for tracking the damaged wire? Or will this issue require a circuit probe? I’m looking for the DIY resolution to this problem

 

[Amtexas24]

I already had the voltage of the battery tested and the grounds are all clean as well. The positive cable is also tightened well so I’m lost at what’s next to do

 

[joegr]

I think that I could help you find the problem in person, but not so much over the internet. Maybe you could talk a friend/relative/coworker/neighbor that has some electrical skills into helping you?

 

[Kraig Wilkinson]

I already had the voltage of the battery tested and the grounds are all clean as well. The positive cable is also tightened well so I’m lost at what’s next to do

Even if they look clean , I would remove and run some Emery clothe in the battery cables and ithe battery posts themselves. . If problem exists start looking for bad wires.