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System Overview: Signals

The table below summarizes the input and output signals to and from the Transmission Control Module (TCM). The signal types are divided into directly connected signals, serial communication and Controller Area Network (CAN) communication. The illustration below displays the same information with the Volvo component designations.

Input signals Output signals
Directly connected:  Directly connected: 
(power supply unless otherwise stated)
Speed sensor, input shaft  (7/61):
  • Provides information on transmission input speed. Amongst other things, used to calculate the gearshift process, to check lock-up and to diagnose the hydraulic/mechanical function in the transmission.

Speed sensor, output shaft  (7/62):
  • Provides information on transmission output speed. Amongst other things, used to calculate vehicle speed, and to diagnose the hydraulic/mechanical function in the transmission.

Oil temperature sensor  :
  • Provides information on transmission oil temperature. The information is used to adjust gearshift timing and oil pressure.

Gear position indicator  :
  • Provides information on selected gear position to the transmission control module. Enables starting only in and. Consists of a permanent magnet that is moved across a number of Hall elements, creating a specific voltage for each gear position.
Solenoids  (8/38-39):
  • Transmission Control Module activates the solenoids with engine braking on 1st gear.

Lock-up solenoid,  :
  • Adapts system pressure to a lock-up pressure. Also used with certain gearshifts.

Linear pressure solenoid,  :
  • Adapts linear system pressure during gearshifts.

Linear pressure solenoid,  :
  • Adapts system pressure to a gearshift pressure to clutch C1 and is activated with certain gearshifts.

Linear pressure solenoid,  :
  • Adapts system pressure to a gearshift pressure to clutch C2 and is activated with certain gearshifts.

Linear pressure solenoid,  :
  • Adapts system pressure to a gearshift pressure to clutch C3 and is activated with certain gearshifts.

Linear pressure solenoid,  (8/142):
  • Adapts system pressure to a gearshift pressure to brake band B1 and is activated with certain gearshifts.

Gear Selector Module (GSM)  (3/156):
  • Controls shift-lock solenoid for the shift-lock function in the gear selector assembly.

Engine Control Module (ECM)  (4/46):
  • Start inhibiting. Provides the Engine Control Module (ECM) with a signal on whether or not the engine may be started.
Via serial communication:  Via serial communication: 
Gear Selector Module (GSM)  :
  • Provides in formation on whether the gear selector is locked in postition plus information on the status of the winter mode (W) button (status of the sport mode button for).
  • Also provides a control signal with Geartronic shifting, and information on fault status in the Gear Selector Module (GSM) to generate diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) for faults in the Gear Selector Module (GSM).
Gear Selector Module (GSM)  (3/156):
  • The Transmission Control Module (TCM) provides the Gear Selector Module (GSM) with signals on which diodes shall be lit on the gear selector assembly panel, depending on gear position selected.
Via Controller Area Network (CAN) communication:  Via Controller Area Network (CAN) communication: 
Steering Wheel Module (SWM)  (3/254), via Central Electronic Module (CEM) (4/56):
  • Cruise control, used when calculating acceleration, depending on Resume and Set button position.

Brake Control Module (BCM)  (4/16):
  • Provides information on vehicle speed and difference in speed between right and left-hand wheels. Prevents upshifting if the difference in speed is above 40 km/h, in order to protect the differential in the transmission.

Engine Control Module (ECM)  (4/46):
  • Stop lamp switch OFF/ON, used with torque converter lock-up.
  • Engine temperature, used to diagnose the transmission temperature sensor and with the catalytic converter start function (Cat-start).
  • Engine speed, more than 400 rpm = engine running. Used to start transmission oil pressure and diagnostic function.
  • Engine speed. Used to check torque converter slipping speed and pressure build-up, which increases gearshift comfort.
  • Kickdown, if the accelerator pedal is depressed and the throttle is fully open then the Engine Control Module (ECM) sends a signal to the Transmission Control Module (TCM) on kickdown.
  • Current engine torque, used to check transmission system pressure.
  • Throttle opening, used to calculate gearshifts. Sport mode and kickdown.
  • Accelerator pedal position, used to calculate gearshift timing.

Suspension module (SUM)  (4/84) (only applies to S60R/V70R):
  • Selected driving mode (Advanced)
Brake Control Module (BCM)  (4/16):
  • Current gear, used to provide the signal for no control when gearshifting.
  • Vehicle speed, used as back-up.

Engine Control Module (ECM)  (4/46):
  • Transmission temperature, used to compensate increased load at low oil temperatures.
  • Selected gear, used by the engine so that the engine can compensate for different loads.
  • Lock-up, used by the engine so that the engine can compensate for different loads.
  • Next gear planned by Transmission Control Module (TCM), used by the engine so that the engine can compensate for different loads.
  • Request for reduction in engine torque when gearshifting, the engine reduces the engine torque when gearshifting.
  • Request for torque limitation, the engine limits the engine torque, depending on current gear and whether winter mode (W) is selected.

Driver Information Module (DIM)  (5/1):
  • Current gear selector lever position. Used to indicate lever position in the Driver Information Module (DIM).
  • Via Central Electronic Module (CEM), checking of warning lamps. Lights the general warning lamp in the event of a fault.
  • Via Central Electronic Module (CEM), text message in Driver Information Module (DIM). The driver can obtain different fault messages from the Transmission Control Module (TCM).
  • The Transmission Control Module (TCM) transmits a signal via the Controller Area Network (CAN) to the Engine Control Module (ECM) to light the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) in the Driver Information Module (DIM) in the event of an emission related fault.

Central Electronic Module (CEM)  (4/56):
  • The Transmission Control Module (TCM) transmits a signal via the Central Electronic Module (CEM) to light the reversing lamp.
Fig 1: Identifying TCM Communication Links & Components
GLL152353Courtesy of VOLVO CARS CORPORATION