My tcc doesn't activate. Has anyone just supplied a switched 12 volts to activate manually?

Maybe I don't understand, if the ECM is sending the correct signal and the TCC is not working, how is manually sending the signal going to help? I guess my question is why doesn't the TCC work? Is it the TCC solenoid or the ECM that is not working correctly?

The car didn't lock up the tcc when I got it. So far I've unhooked the cable and attached a vtm to it. I get low voltage indicated and I need to use the car on a long trip, so I'm looking for a simple temporary solution.

Ok, I'm with ya. I'm getting the TCC diagnostic chart together. Post it in a sec. Your idea should work though if you bypass the ECM altogether and provide a manual switch on the ground, with a constant 12v. (May work the other way but the car is setup where the ECM switches the ground) If your 3rd gear apply switch or brake switch is bad it will stop 12v from reaching the TCC too.

[This message has been edited by Hudini (edited 07-21-2007).]

Cool! Thanks a lot! It's late now so I'll work on it tomorrow.

The 3rd gear apply switch is inside the trans. You normally change it when changing the TCC solenoid. I think jetman did a nice writeup on changing the two out. Since you are not getting 12v to the TCC connector from the brake light switch it seems the problem lies upstream of the connector. Just a guess though. Make sure you check your fuses as the TCC gets fused power.

Pin A is the one that should be receiving 12v power from the brake switch. Pin D is the one that goes to the ECM and is grounded. The connector should be marked with little letters.

Hudini, Thanks a million! I just hooked up an old cigarrete lighter power cord directly to the trans and when I plugged it in while doing 30 mph it locked up the convertor. This confirms your guess that the problem is upstream from the solenoid and confirms that the solenoid and third gear switch are ok. I'd say that we've narrowed it down pretty good and I know that I can take that trip now even if I have to leave the tcc plugged into my lighter socket. I'm a nonsmoker but I guess that I'll put a splitter on the lighter socket if I want to runmy computer during the trip. Thanks again!