About Diagnostic Trouble Codes

Always begin diagnosis by performing Test 1A-Entering Diagnostic Tests. This test will lead you through a visual inspection, reading the DTC's, and then direct you to the specific test(s) that must be performed. If more than one code exists, diagnostic priority should be given to the most recent code.

If there is a Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) bus bias or communication problem, trouble codes will not be accessible until the problem is fixed. The ORB will display an appropriate message. The following is a possible list of causes for a bus problem:
- open or short to ground/battery in either or both CCD bus wires
- internal failure of any module or component on the bus

NOTE: The CCD bus should have 2.5 volts (+2.5 volts on CCD+ and -2.5 volts on CCD-)

For more detailed information about diagnosing CCD bus problems, refer to the appropriate Body Control Module Diagnostic Procedure.

Each diagnostic trouble code is diagnosed by following a specific testing sequence. The diagnostic test procedures contain step-by-step instructions for determining the cause of a transmission diagnostic trouble code. Possible sources of the code are checked and eliminated one by one. It is not necessary to perform all of the tests in this book to diagnose an individual code. In certain test procedures within this book, codes are used as a diagnostic tool.

DTC's which affect vehicle emissions will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL). Three consecutive successful OBDII trips or clearing the DTC's with a diagnostic tool (DRBIII or equivalent) is required to extinguish the MIL.

HARD CODE
Any Diagnostic trouble codes that comes back within three OBDII trips is a "hard" code. This means that the problem is there every time the TCM checks that circuit or function.

INTERMITTENT CODE
A diagnostic trouble code that is not there every time the TCM checks the circuit or function is an "intermittent" code. Problems that come and go like this are the most difficult to diagnose, they must be looked for under the specific conditions that cause them.

RESET COUNTER
For the most recent code (Code 1), the global good trip counter counts the number of times the vehicle has started since it was last set. The trips counter will count up to 255 starts.

When there are no diagnostic trouble codes stored in memory, the DRB will display "NO DTC's DETECTED".

If DTC's are detected, the ORB will display the number of global good trips. This is the number of good trips since the latest DTC was set.

The number of global good trips helps determine if the diagnostic trouble code is hard or intermittent.
- If the reset count is 0, the code is a hard code.
- If the reset count is greater than 0, it is considered an intermittent code. This means that the transmission has been driven at least once without the code recurring.

TROUBLE CODE ERASURE
A Diagnostic trouble code will be cleared from Transmission Control Module (TCM) memory if it has not reset for 40 warm-up cycles.

A warm-up cycle is defined by CARB as "sufficient vehicle operation such that the coolant temperature has risen by at least 40°F from engine starting and reaches a minimum temperature of 160°F".

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will turn off after 3 good trips or when the DTC's are cleared from the TCM.

LIST OF TCM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
26 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR SIGNAL CIRCUIT
166 OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR
199 SOLENOID #2 FUNCTIONAL FAULT
203 INTERNAL TCM
204 INTERNAL TCM
205 CCD MESSAGE FROM JTEC FAILURE
208 SOLENOID #1 SHORTED TO GROUND
209 SOLENOID #1 SHORTED TO VOLTAGE
210 SOLENOID #2 SHORTED TO GROUND
211 SOLENOID #2 SHORTED TO VOLTAGE
234 SOLENOID #1 OR TCC SOLENOID FUNCTIONAL FAULT
235 CHECK SHIFTER SIGNAL
236 TCC SOLENOID SHORTED TO GROUND
237 TCC SOLENOID SHORTED TO VOLTAGE
238 TRANSMISSION VOLTAGE LOW
239 TRANSMISSION VOLTAGE HIGH