Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
A/T CONTROL SYSTEM: Fail-Safe: Notes
TCM has the electrical fail-safe mode. The mode is divided into a maximum of 3 phases (1st fail-safe, 2nd fail-safe and final fail-safe) and functions so that the operation can be continued even if the signal circuit of the main electronically controlled input/output parts is damaged.
Even if the electronic circuit is normal, the fail-safe mode may start under special conditions (such as when the brake pedal is depressed suddenly from a hard wheel spin status to stop the rotation of wheels). In this case, turn the ignition switch OFF and back to ON after 5 seconds to resume the normal shift pattern.
Consequently, the customer's vehicle may already return to the normal condition. Refer to "WORK FLOWΒ ".
| 1st fail-safe | The mode that the vehicle can stop safely, to prompt the driver to stop if the malfunction occurs and to shift to 2nd fail-safe early. It shifts to 2nd fail-safe or final fail-safe after the vehicle stopped. |
| 2nd fail-safe | The mode that the vehicle shifts to final fail-safe without changing the behavior, by identifying the malfunctioning parts in the condition that the driving force required for the driving is secured. |
| Final fail-safe |
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
