When you hear about short-circuiting in the automatic transmission of your Honda, what we are talking about is an issue that affects the transmission system of Honda vehicles, where there is a short circuit in the electrical system. A short circuit is a situation in which an electrical current follows a wrong route and this can interfere with the normal flow of the transmission. Let’s look at the parts affected by this problem and what you should do to deal with the situation.
Key Components Involved
- Transmission Control Module (TCM): The TCM is regarded as the central nerve of your Honda’s transmission system. It controls and operates the change of gears depending on data from different sensors that it has. These sensors track things such as the speed of the car, the load on the engine, and the position of the throttle. If there is a short circuit on the TCM, there may be severe issues like uneven gear shifts or complete failure of the transmission.
- Wiring Harness: This is a bundle of wires that convey electrical impulses within the transmission system of a car. It can be considered as the communication network of the car and the interaction between the TCM and the other parts. If there are any issues with the wires of the harness such as the presence of a break, fray or cut on any of the wires, it leads to the development of a short circuit. This interferes with the normal flow of electricity, and this causes different transmission problems.
- Solenoids: Solenoids are small valves that are operated electrically and they help in the regulation of the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid is used in the transmission system to facilitate the smooth shifting of gears and other activities of the transmission. When solenoids get signals of electricity, they allow or restrict the flow of this fluid. If one or more solenoids have a short circuit, the transmission may shift gears irregularly or not shift at all.
Signs of a Short Circuiting Transmission
- Warning Lights: Should there be an issue with the transmission, then one of the signs you are likely to notice is a warning light on the dashboard. This could be a specific transmission warning light or the more general check engine light. These lights mean that the car’s computer has registered a problem and it could be a short circuit in the transmission system.
- Burning Smell: A short circuit is also likely to cause the components in the transmission to heat up. When this happens, you might experience a burning smell from the vicinity of the transmission. This smell mostly arises from overheated wires or other electrical parts and should be corrected to avoid further complications.
- Unresponsive Transmission: It is even possible that the transmission might not shift to the required gear at all. This means that even when you attempt to change gears, nothing happens, and the car just continues to move in a single gear. A transmission that does not respond at all is a major issue that requires attention.
Steps to Take If You Want To Resolve This Problem
- Stop Driving: The first thing you should do if you think you have a transmission issue is to stop driving your Honda. If the problem is not attended to immediately, it will compound or escalate to problems that will require higher levels of repair.
- Restart Your Car: Sometimes, your Honda’s computer can be reset by restarting it, and this will take care of minor electrical problems. Switch off the engine and then after a few minutes, start the engine again.
- Call a Professional: If none of the above steps works, then it is best to consult a professional mechanic. A mechanic will connect a scanner to your vehicle’s computer to check if it has recorded any codes. This can help to identify the exact point that is causing the short circuit.
Come To Us Now For Your Honda Repairs
Lancer Service has been servicing European, 
Domestic, and Asian cars in St. Paul, MN since the company started in 1977. Our garage employs only the best technicians who are certified by the ASE and a warm staff to make your experience at our shop a pleasant one. If you suspect your Honda’s transmission may be short circuiting, stop by! We will figure out the problem and offer you the right solution.