Transmission Control Unit – Devices to Control Modern Electronic Automatic Transmissions

Made up of various complex parts, automobiles are vital machines that have become a necessity in our everyday life. There are composed of several parts serving their purpose in these complex machines and they are all dependent on each other for their proper functioning. It is essential that we regularly check their efficiency so that if discovered necessary we can change the damaged part as soon as possible to ensure our machines work properly. Some of the most important parts in our automotive are ‘Thermistor sensors’, which change electrical resistance with temperature and are used to monitor temperatures in coolants, oil and materials that are subjected to varying heat or cooling.

In automotive they are popularly known as the air charge temperature sensors that response to changes in temperature. They sense the temperature of the air so it can decipher how much air to mix with the gasoline. We know that colder air is denser than hot air and requires more fuel to maintain the same air/fuel ratio. So, if this system is not working right, various drivability symptoms can occur to affect your vehicle’s performance. A faulty air charge temperature sensor, which is reading warmer than normal will typically cause in a lean fuel condition.

To measure air and fuel mixture in the intake manifold, an air cleaner temperature sensor is used in automotive. These sensors prevent cold outside air from entering the air intake until the engine warms up (it senses the temperature of incoming fresh air and decreases the vacuum when the air is warm. When the air is cold, the sensor directs more vacuum to the air cleaner vacuum motor). This limits emissions and improves cold-engine performance; the engine control computer receives the signal from the sensor and adjusts the injector pulse width and fuel mixture.

Transmission Control Module (TCU) is another important part that control the shifting points of an automatic transmission based on inputs from various other sensors on the vehicle. A TCU generally uses sensors from the vehicle as well as data provided by the Engine Control Unit to calculate how and when to change gears in the vehicle for optimum performance, fuel economy and shift quality.

The advancement in the technology has enhanced the opportunities for drivers, where a great revolution has been noticed in the field of auto parts that are now more easily available, technically sound and are able to achieve better fuel economy, reduced engine emissions, greater shift system reliability, improved shift feel, improved shift speed and improved vehicle handling to make a driver’s life safer, more comfortable or more convenient than ever and our automobiles, a great example of technology with the brilliance.