Replaced TCM SOLENOIDS BUT CAR STILL WONT ENGAGE INTO DRIVE ONLY REVERSE

Tiny
JAVONNE
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 750,000 MILES
I have a 2013 chevy cruze 1.4l eco tec automatic transmission. So I put my car in a OBD2 scanner n the code that I got was to replace the TCM Solenoids. So I ordered the Solenoids that matched for my car from the website site called shop. Anyways the steps I did werw:
1. I removed the transmission drain plug and drained the fluid.
2. Then I took off almost the whole front end if my car to get to the case that the TCM solenoids are located in.
3. Removed and put the new TCM solenoids I ordered in my car.
4. Put the TCM case cover back on and other parts (whole front end of car I took off to access the TCM CASE).
5. Put correct transmission fluid into my car
6. Started car and put & ran through all the gears.
So after all those steps I did my car seems to go into reverse and move but doesn't engage into drive and will not move in drive at all. Is there any steps or videos or tips you can give me for my car to relearn its gears or to relearn the solenoids I replaced? Also is there a certain line up the solenoids need to be I watched a ton youtube videos but they are no help. I've asked a bunch of mechanics but they want me to pay a arm n a leg n bring my car in to be repaired when I can do it my self. Can you help me? Can you please tell me if there is steps I can take to mKe my chevy cruze relearn its TCM solenoids? As well as the shifting process?
Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 3:58 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 382 POSTS
I believe on that car you might need to reset the tcm after the repair
it takes a bi directional scan tool with the proper capability to do it not all of them can. That said maybe call around talk to shops and see if a transmission specialist in your area has a good scan tool that can perform a test and perhaps reset of the tcm
Hope this helps good luck
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 382 POSTS
Also if all these efforts fail depending on how long it was driven in that condition and many other factors
unfortunately the tcm might be bad or the transmission might need a rebuild hopfully not. Hope this helps
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 AT 5:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
I would run the codes to see which ones are stored. This will tell us what is going on. This guide can help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
JAVONNE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I tried to scan for any codes and it reading no codes at all and wen I go to the stored codes it reads there isnt any.
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Thursday, August 28th, 2025 AT 11:20 PM
Tiny
MECHTRIX
  • MECHANIC
  • 382 POSTS
Ok you need a bidirectional scan tool to comunicate the tcm test or re program /reset it a regular scan tool wont do it it only reads codes doesn't write . Its either that or there is a possibility that the tcm is bad and or the transmissions bad and needs a rebuild one of the 3 posabilities

But the first step is to scan it to find out

Good luck
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Friday, August 29th, 2025 AT 2:26 PM

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