How to Reset a Subaru Transmission Control Module(TCM)

[@daviddanh1772]

Gonna give this a shot right now.. my 16 forrester has the at oil temp light flashing and all the Christmas lights.. nothjng has changed but i noticed its fwd . All of the sudden.. ill let you know if it works for me

[@morganraepierce]

My 16 Forester just did the same thing! I changed the battery because it was five years old and I thought that might be causing the lights. They went away for two days and then just came back on so now I’m trying this. The lights went off again, but I’m thinking now it has more to do with the external temperature warming up the transmission fluid.

[@daviddanh1772]

Didnt change anything for me..guess ill keep trying

[@daviddanh1772]

@@hnd2893 i have about 165000 on it. Im out of warranty as far as i know..

[@hnd2893]

@@daviddanh1772 Best recommendation, have it scanned, not the parts store scanner, the cheap one, but a professional level scanner, like at a qualified repair shop or dealership. When the battery is replaced, some models require what's called a 'Torque Converter Relearn', it is a drive cycle method you can do. It is a different relearn, the other relearn is done with a professional level scanner that relearns the TCM after parts replacement. Also, the battery terminals need to be very clean, not just the outside, but inside contact area with the battery post. The torque converter relearn process is described in this Subaru tech service bulletin # 16-132-20R, page 9. (read thru the bulletin to grasp the complexity of the system) You can google search it, it is listed under National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. The bulletin doesn't include your 2016, but the torque converter relearn is the same for all models. I'd post the link, but KZbin won't let me.

[@daviddanh1772]

@@hnd2893 im waiting on my friend to come by with his scanner.. he laughed at my bootleg elm327 adapter..😆 but yeah alot of things are starting to seem like either low voltage or solenoid.. but wont be able to tell for now.. thanks for the help

[@juandenzer637]

ODB2 scanners do not reset the TCM. That requires a more expensive tool. You won't be able to do that with a $25 scanner from AutoZone.

[@trevinmarz8858]

Will this work for a 2006 forester?

[@Drifter703]

I have a 2012 subaru legacy with AT OIL TEMP light flashing obnoxiously, don’t know why and can’t find a solution for this, few days later i connected an OBD2 to see the code and since than my AWD light started flashing along with AT OIL TEMP. No difference in shifting or driving except i only have FWD

[@thegammerman]

I have a 2011 legacy. All legacy should be AWD. Are you telling me your car AWD is now FWD meaning the car is fucked? My AT oil temp is now flashing but I'm not getting an AWD light thankfully. Did the reseting your TCM work for you??

[@Drifter703]

@@thegammerman yes

[@Drifter703]

@@thegammerman resetting my tcm didn’t work and since i plug in OBD2 scanner its scanning obnoxiously

[@bonozil]

Thank you Brian, love it and need it

[@HonestMechanicChannel]

Thanks, So glad the video helped!

[@fredrikmardenfalkhoppe494]

How is this performed if you have a keyless system where you dont have a key to turn on, only a button that actually starts the car..?

[@HonestMechanicChannel]

Hi Fredrik, For a keyless system, ensure the car is in "Accessory" mode without starting the engine. To do this, press the start button without pressing the brake pedal. This will turn on the car's electronics without starting the engine, allowing you to perform necessary diagnostics or tasks.

[@chrisg2739]

Thank you for this. My 09 forester shifts very hard sometimes banging into gear

[@HonestMechanicChannel]

You're welcome!

[@chrisg2739]

@@HonestMechanicChannel im actually getting better MPG as well. On the highways it used to downshift and go crazy high on the tach and shift at weird RPms and up shift and downshift and lug because it was in too high of a gear for the RPM/speed.

[@hnd2893]

@@chrisg2739 You did the reset procedure and it corrected the issues you were experiencing?

[@chrisg2739]

@@hnd2893 Yes I did and my mileage improved because the shifting is at better RPM ranges. before it would upshift then downshift or on corners it would bang into a lower gear. Its night and day how it handles in shifting and it shifts smooth too now. I thought Ihad a serious problem with my powertrain but it was as simple as resetting the TCM.

[@hnd2893]

@@chrisg2739 Interesting, and Thanks! Better is better. FYI, some models have TCM and ECM software updates that address shifting issues and hesitation, might check with a Subaru dealer or an independent Subaru specialist, and see what they think. Ya might be able to improve the better relatively cheap. Also, transmission fluid level is important. If you're unaware, check the level with engine/trans at operating temperature, engine at idle, parking brake set.

[@carlangeloabaya9306]

What do i do if my subaru doesnt have a kick down switch

[@Randomguy-ld7rr]

Same

[@Randomguy-ld7rr]

Same it’s not areal switch

[@Randomguy-ld7rr]

No way my 2008 legacy 4 gear trans now much faster and more accurate

[@peachsncream5808]

Your next issues will be coolant corrosion leaking into your engine oil 🤦🏻‍♀️ . We have regular services and we are still having more issues ,🤦🏻‍♀️ as if the computer and transmission problems weren’t already enough . If it wasn’t for the dashboard Christmas tree of lights , we would have gotten rid of the dammed thing years ago.

[@peachsncream5808]

Iv got a lemon , Subaru 2015 outback . Only running in FRONT WHEEL DRIVE . Subaru Australia SUCKS SHIT . Transmission solenoid’s burned out . Computer problems all internal dash lights are always on . Eyesight detection / break warning/ transmission temperature ect ect ect . The problems started Within weeks of buying the car from a Subaru dealership in vic park , Perth Western Australia . After paying for several diagnostics tests at $250 dollars each time =. misdiagnosed EVERY TIME . STARTING WITH telling us the problem was a catalytic converter failure … witch turned out was WRONG 🤦🏻‍♀️ . Then one excuse after another … I found an independent transmission expert . Who eventually re built the transmission and showed me the burnt out solenoids. While still in situe . He said he had never seen this happen before …..for free He asked an auto electrician to look at it . He asked me if the vehicle had ever suffered from an external electrical contact of some kind . Because he had also never seen this kind of damage . This investigation stuff happened just before c-vid . We have had to run the car the way it is all these years because Subaru Australia couldn’t diagnose the problem . If we had listened to them . We would have spent over $9000 dollars repairing issues that WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM . An independent mechanic had to diagnose for free ‘’ A problem that Subaru could not resolve , while taking our money for each diagnostic test . Main-computer failure.👣🦘🖕Subaru .

[@plaifulbiguy]

sounds like you should walk. It doesn't take years to figure out-buy another car! Subbys Rock!

[@peachsncream5808]

@ we don’t all have the financial resources to buy another vehicle when the mood takes us . And lack of knowledge Doesn’t make someone a Karen .

[@peachsncream5808]

Avoid Subaru …. NEVER AGAIN WILL I OWN ONE . DID I MENTION SUBARU AUSTRALIA SUCKS. 👣🦘. Inexperienced or simply don’t give a crap about customer service outside of basic TAKING YOUR MONEY For a service .

[@plaifulbiguy]

taking your money Karen because YOU are inexperienced