"VCC-024484 EN 2010-05-08"

Electronic Control System

To permit exact determination of the gear-

change and lock–up engagement points based
on the selected driving mode, the
transmission control module (TCM) receives
information about the following:
- Selected gear – from gear-shift position
sensor (8).
- Selected driving mode – from the mode
selector (11).
- Road speed – from the vehicle speed sensor
(VSS) (17).
- Transmission input shaft rpm – from
transmission speed sensor (5).
- Engine rpm and load – the fuel injection
system control module (18).
- Throttle opening – from the fuel injection
system control module (18).
- Brake pedal operation – from the stop
(brake) light switch (19).
- Fully depressed accelerator pedal (AP) –
from the kickdown switch (20) on the
throttle cable.
- Transmission oil temperature – from a
temperature sensor (6) in the transmission.
All of this information is processed by the
transmission control module (TCM) (21),
which calculates which gear will provide the
best driving performance based on the
selected driving mode. The transmission
control module (TCM) orders gear-shifts by
sending shift signals to two shift solenoid
valves (S1, S2) in the transmission. Depending
on the input signals, the control module
decides if and when torque converter lock–up,
which is engaged with the help of a special
solenoid (SL), should be activated.
During gear-change, the transmission control
module (TCM) modulates the transmission oil
pressure via a system pressure solenoid valve
(STH), while simultaneously sending a signal
to the ignition system (22) so that the engine
torque is limited as gear-changing occurs.
The transmission control module (TCM) is also
connected to the data link connector (DLC)
(23). Faults occurring in the electronic system
are recorded in the transmission control
module (TCM) memory for subsequent display

© Copyright 2004 Volvo Car Corporation. All rights reserved. 1(2)

 "VCC-024484 EN 2010-05-08"

as diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). If a fault is

serious enough to require immediate
attention, the warning lamp (24) in the
combined instrument panel.
In some markets where an on-board
diagnostics system OBD II is a statutory
requirement the transmission control module
(TCM) can also activate the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL) (25). The malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL) is controlled by the
engine control module (ECM). A transmission
malfunction that affects exhaust emissions will
cause a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) to be
posted and the transmission control module
(TCM) sends a request to the engine control
module (ECM) to activate the malfunction
indicator lamp (MIL).
The gear-shift position sensor (8) provides the
transmission control module (TCM) with
information about the selected gear.
The vehicle speed signal (VS) is sent from the
vehicle speed sensor (VSS) (17) which
received pulses from a pulse wheel, locking
wheel for the shift-lock on the output shaft.
Transmission speed information is sent from
the transmission speed sensor (5).
Information about engine rpm and load comes
from the fuel injection system control module
which also provides information about the
throttle opening.
If the brake pedal is depressed, the stop
(brake) light switch closes and transmits a
signal to the transmission control module
(TCM).
When the accelerator pedal (AP) is fully
depressed, the kickdown switch (20) closes.
The transmission control module (TCM) uses
the above signals to calculate the following:
- The control module determines the engine
power output by comparing information
about the throttle opening with the values
for engine load and rpm. This forms the
basis for calculating gear-shift engagement
pressure.
- Signals from the brake light switch are used
to disengage lock–up during braking in
order to avoid jolts in the transmission.

© Copyright 2004 Volvo Car Corporation. All rights reserved. 2(2)