GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 657421  Size: MF

Circuit Description

The torque converter clutch pulse width modulation (TCC PWM) solenoid valve controls fluid acting on the converter clutch valve, which then controls TCC apply and release. The TCC PWM solenoid valve attaches to the control valve body within the transmission. Ignition voltage goes directly to the TCC PWM solenoid valve. The powertrain control modulator (PCM) controls the TCC PWM solenoid valve by providing a ground path on the control circuit. The current flows through the TCC PWM solenoid valve coil according to the duty cycle (percentage of ON time). The TCC PWM solenoid valve provides a smooth engagement of the torque converter clutch by operating on a duty cycle percent of ON time.

If the PCM detects a continuous open or short in the TCC PWM solenoid valve circuit or the TCC PWM solenoid valve, then DTC P1860 sets. DTC P1860 is a type C DTC. For California emission vehicles DTC P1860 is a type B DTC.

Conditions for Running the DTC

    • The system voltage is 8.0-18.0 volts.
    • The engine is running greater than 400 RPM for greater than 7 seconds.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

All conditions for running the DTC are met, and either of the following conditions occur for 4.3 out of 5 seconds.

    • The PCM commands the TCC PWM solenoid valve to OFF (0 percent) and the voltage input remains low (zero volts).
    • The PCM commands the TCC PWM solenoid valve to ON (100 percent) and the voltage input remains high (B+).

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • For California emission equipped vehicles, the PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) during the second consecutive trip in which the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met.
    • The PCM inhibits TCC engagement.
    • The PCM commands increased line pressure.
    • The PCM freezes shift adapts from being updated.
    • The PCM records the operating conditions when the Conditions for Setting the DTC are met. The PCM stores this information as Freeze Frame (Calif. only) and Failure Records (Calif. and Federal).
    • The PCM stores DTC P1860 in PCM history.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

    • For California emissions, the PCM turns OFF the MIL during the third consecutive trip in which the diagnostic test runs and passes.
    • A scan tool can clear the MIL/DTC.
    • For California emissions, the PCM clears the DTC from PCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without an emission related diagnostic fault occurring.
    • For Federal emissions, the PCM clears the DTC from PCM history if the vehicle completes 40 warm-up cycles without a non-emission related diagnostic fault occurring.
    • The PCM cancels the DTC default actions when the fault no longer exists and the ignition switch is OFF long enough in order to power down the PCM.

Diagnostic Aids

DTC P1860 defaults to an elevated line pressure condition which may result in TCC partial apply. This may induce idle surge and engine stall.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests for voltage to the TCC PWM solenoid valve circuit at the 20-way connector.

  2. This step tests the ability of the PCM and wiring to control the ground circuit.

  3. This step tests the resistance of the TCC PWM solenoid valve and the internal wiring harness.

DTC P1860

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to A Diagnostic System Check - Engine Controls

2

  1. Install a Scan Tool .
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Important: Before clearing the DTCs, use the scan tool in order to record the Freeze Frame and Failure Records. Using the Clear Info function erases the Freeze Frame and Failure Records from the PCM.

  4. Record the Freeze Frame and Failure Records.
  5. Clear the DTCs.
  6. Inspect the transmission fuse.

Is the fuse open?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Inspect the following components for a short to ground.

    • Off/Run/Crank voltage (CKT 1020)
    • The 1-2 shift solenoid
    • The 2-3 shift solenoid
    • The TCC PWM solenoid
    • The automatic transmission wiring harness assembly

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Intermittent Conditions

4

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the transmission 20-way connector (additional DTCs may set).
  3. Install the J 44152 jumper harness (20 pins) on the engine harness connector.
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  5. Connect a test lamp from the J 44152 cavity E to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 5

5

Repair the open or high resistance in the Off/Run/Crank voltage circuit (CKT 1020) of the TCC PWM solenoid valve.

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

Go to Step 18

--

6

  1. Install the test lamp from cavities E to S of the J 44152 .
  2. Command the TCC PWM solenoid valve ON and OFF three times.

Does the test lamp turn ON when you command the TCC PWM solenoid valve ON, and does the lamp turn OFF when you command the TCC PWM solenoid valve OFF?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Test the control circuit (CKT 418) of the TCC PWM solenoid valve for an open or short to ground.
  2. Repair the circuit if necessary.
  3. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 9

8

  1. Install the J 44152 on the transmission 20-way connector (Automatic Transmission Connector End View).
  2. Using the J 39200 digital multimeter (DMM) and the J 35616 connector test adapter kit, measure the resistance between terminals E and S.

Does the resistance measure within the specified values?

10-15 ohms

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

9

Replace the PCM.

Refer to Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Replacement in Engine Controls.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 18

--

10

  1. Disconnect the automatic transmission wiring harness assembly at the TCC PWM solenoid valve.
  2. Measure the resistance of the TCC PWM solenoid valve.

Does the resistance measure within the specified values?

10-15 ohms

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 16

11

Measure the resistance between terminal S and ground.

Does the resistance measure greater than the specified value?

250 K ohms

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

12

Test the automatic transmission wiring harness assembly for an open circuit.

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 17

--

13

  1. Disconnect the automatic transmission wiring harness assembly at the TCC PWM solenoid valve.
  2. Measure the resistance between each of the component terminals and ground.

Do both readings measure greater than the specified value?

250 K ohms

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

14

Measure the resistance between terminal S and all other terminals, except terminals A, B, and E of the J 44152 .

Refer to Automatic Transmission Inline Harness Connector End View.

Is the resistance between terminal S and any other terminal, except terminals A, B, and E less than the specified value?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Intermittent Conditions

15

Test the automatic transmission wiring harness assembly for a short to ground.

Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find a condition?

--

Go to Step 17

--

16

Replace the TCC PWM solenoid valve.

Refer to Control Valve Body Replacement.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 18

--

17

Replace the automatic transmission wiring harness assembly.

Refer to Wiring Harness Replacement.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 18

--

18

Perform the following procedure in order to verify the repair:

  1. Select DTC.
  2. Select Clear Info.
  3. Select the parameters, TCC Duty Cycle, TCC duty Cycle Open/Shorted to GND and TCC Duty Cycle Shorted to Volts.
  4. Operate the vehicle under the following conditions:
  5. • The TCC PWM solenoid valve is commanded ON and TCC Duty Cycle Shorted to Volts is NO.
    • The TCC PWM solenoid valve is commanded OFF and TCC Duty Cycle Open/Shorted to GND is NO.
    • Each condition is met for 5 seconds.
  6. Select Specific DTC.
  7. Enter DTC P1860.

Has the test run and passed?

--

System OK

Go to Step 1