How Long for TCM relearn? Toyota Matrix

[panthermike]

Vehicle is a 2003 Matrix with 229k on the odo. Have cycled about 12qts of Castrol Import through the transmission as well as replaced the filter. It has been just over 200 miles since the TCM was reset (battery unhooked for a few hours while doing other work). Since then; I've noticed the shifts are sometimes smooth and other times moderately firm. Don't know the history of the car, but prior to doing the battery reset, did not notice this behavior. Perhaps I just messed it though, definitely a possibility.

Should it have re-learned by now? Would doing it again or something different be worthwhile? It's not horrible by any means, but seems odd to me. I read about some adaptive learning procedure that involves a combination of cycling the ignition and pressing the gas pedal. Although, not sure if it applies or the legitimacy of this method.

Any ideas/thoughts appreciated!

 

[dippschtick]

So you changed the fluid and drove the car without issue before resetting the TCM?

 

[14Accent]

AFAIK, there's no learning capability on the 4-speed Toyota transmissions nor can I find a reference to a relearn procedure in the FSM. At 229k, I'd say a few odd shifts here and there are normal. No amount of fresh fluid is going to roll back the odometer.

 

[panthermike]

So you changed the fluid and drove the car without issue before resetting the TCM?

Yes. Admittedly I had only put 150-200 miles on it prior to starting the fluid changing. The reset of the TCM was during the fluid change process basically. Coincided with me changing transmission mount which required disconnecting the battery.

 

[panthermike]

Well this just got more interesting....

Drove it around for about 20 or 30 miles this afternoon running errands and I actually thought it was shifting well, improved from the past couple days.

On the way home, got a check engine light. P0770, shift solenoid code. I've read possible issues are dirty fluid, clogged passage, issue with the valve body, solenoid itself. I did drop the pan and replace the filter about 200 miles ago. Nothing went wrong that I could tell, did use a Beck arnley filter. Along with The Castrol, used some Lubegard.

I reset the code for now, hoping it just doesn't come back I'm driving this car to Iowa next Friday.

 

[jsean]

Let us know how the drive to Iowa goes, good luck. That generation Matrix/Corolla/Vibe didn’t have TCM re-learn. Just the ECU which you would’ve have noticed with the high idling after the battery cable disconnect. It should’ve already completed the re-learn by now. FWIW, I have the Beck Arnley filter as well from 73k miles ago. I’ve been doing spill and fill every 30k miles.

 

[barkingspider]

Make sure the transmission fluid level is correct. Check it twice. Hope the code does not return

 

[panthermike]

Thank you all, transmission continues to shift pretty well. Has been about 150 miles since resetting the code and has not returned. Will update after the Iowa drive.

 

[Huskyguy68]

I do an ECU reset on my vehicle often. Bit more ''complicated'' then the simple lazy unhook negative battery cable and wait 5 minutes. The one I do I seen on Youtube and works great, super easy to do.
Unhook both battery cables.
Cover both battery posts with a cloth or cardboard. Take both battery cables and touch battery post connectors /tie them together so they touch with an elstic band or twist tie or string ECT. ....leave them sit like this for about 30 minutes. You can also go depress the horn for 10 seconds to release residual memory in the ECU. And turn on the headlights for 5 seconds.
I then go tinker with other stuff/play with my dog for 30 minutes . Reinstall battery cables, start the engine. Let it idle to warm up phase. Take the vehicle for a drive for maybe 20 minutes, city streets, freeway, up and down side streets, go thru the automatic gears. ECU should reset and much better vehicle . <<< if no jumper cables, tie the battery cables together.

 

[panthermike]

I do an ECU reset on my vehicle often. Bit more ''complicated'' then the simple lazy unhook negative battery cable and wait 5 minutes. The one I do I seen on Youtube and works great, super easy to do.
Unhook both battery cables.
Cover both battery posts with a cloth or cardboard. Take both battery cables and touch battery post connectors /tie them together so they touch with an elstic band or twist tie or string ECT. ....leave them sit like this for about 30 minutes. You can also go depress the horn for 10 seconds to release residual memory in the ECU. And turn on the headlights for 5 seconds.
I then go tinker with other stuff/play with my dog for 30 minutes . Reinstall battery cables, start the engine. Let it idle to warm up phase. Take the vehicle for a drive for maybe 20 minutes, city streets, freeway, up and down side streets, go thru the automatic gears. ECU should reset and much better vehicle . <<< if no jumper cables, tie the battery cables together.

Interesting.. easy enough to try! Thank you.

 

[AZjeff]

The linked YouTube video is from 6 years ago and talks about older cars. Would this be safe with newer cars with all the computers, electronics, etc?

 

[Huskyguy68]

The linked YouTube video is from 6 years ago and talks about older cars. Would this be safe with newer cars with all the computers, electronics, etc?

I cannot say for sure, best to directly speak to a mechanic or call up a dealership service advisor and explain you might want to do an ecu reset on your vehicle, get their opinion/ advice. I know on my 06 Nissan Xtrail, no damage was ever done with the 5 or more ecu resets i did myself.
You are smart to question the safety aspect, next step is to seek out the Pros and find out for sure!

 

[panthermike]

Well, the trip went well. Averaged 30.5-37.3 mpg. Worst tank was the elevation gain north of Santa Fe + Winds, best was in Kansas.

The Code did come back a few hundred miles into the trip. Reset it and has not returned. Shifting was good throughout the trip. Did get a persistent P0420 code during; spark plug non-fouler will be going on to address that.

Overall, happy with the car and purchase and so is the FIL. I told him if the 770 code comes back, I would just clear it and keep trucking.

 

[martinq]

Thanks for the update and the good news! Good luck out there.

 

[panthermike]

I do an ECU reset on my vehicle often. Bit more ''complicated'' then the simple lazy unhook negative battery cable and wait 5 minutes. The one I do I seen on Youtube and works great, super easy to do.
Unhook both battery cables.
Cover both battery posts with a cloth or cardboard. Take both battery cables and touch battery post connectors /tie them together so they touch with an elstic band or twist tie or string ECT. ....leave them sit like this for about 30 minutes. You can also go depress the horn for 10 seconds to release residual memory in the ECU. And turn on the headlights for 5 seconds.
I then go tinker with other stuff/play with my dog for 30 minutes . Reinstall battery cables, start the engine. Let it idle to warm up phase. Take the vehicle for a drive for maybe 20 minutes, city streets, freeway, up and down side streets, go thru the automatic gears. ECU should reset and much better vehicle . <<< if no jumper cables, tie the battery cables together.

As an aside, could have been in my head but I believe this helped! After I did this, only 1 or 2 "harsh" shifts for the entire 1,400 mile journey. Could have been coincidental but was very easy to do, so I did it.

 

[JackWildfeuer]

Should have drain plug if it is a 2003 and a dipstick tube. I would add a bottle of lube guard red before the road trip. If it is too full drain a little.

On the older Toyota like this 2003 I prefer to use an affordable ATF like Valvoline High Millage from a place like Walmart. Each oil change if the car has had the transmission neglected I will drain and refill and do that about 3 times. If all is good I go to a thicker than WS fluid like Red Line D4 which is more like the Older Toyota TIV fluid. It has the potential to increase line pressure a tad and improve sealing on worn out seals. If the transmission is not neglected and calls for WS I go to my prefered Red Line D6.

 

[Huskyguy68]

As an aside, could have been in my head but I believe this helped! After I did this, only 1 or 2 "harsh" shifts for the entire 1,400 mile journey. Could have been coincidental but was very easy to do, so I did it.

Cool, very nice.
Locate the Matrix's VVT solenoid. Super easy to remove, one plug and a ten mm bolt. Then wriggle the VVT free.
So there is a more involved way of cleaning it involving a 9 volt batter and two wires/give it some juice (after removing it) and the VVT Solenoid opens up, you spray MAF cleaner or electronic spray cleaner into it, let it run out till it's clear.
I did the lazy way, but still had good results.
I removed the VVT solenoid and simply sprayed it directly, especially the tiny screen. Very likely the VVT solenoid is the 04 original part and even the lazy way cleaning did something. Idled a bit lower, sounded smoother, quieter engine. Throttle seemed peppier .
Some might argue that cleaning it should never do blah blah....all I know is I could really notice the before and after difference. Went back and did again 5 months or so later, but seems it was fairly clean. Of course, ensuring proper oil schedule and good clean oil /oil filter will help that VVT solenoid stay clean.
And also remove and clean the PCV valve. So easy to remove on the Matrix, easy to clean with the same cleaners, or gasoline. Yes, many just buy a new PCV valve, here in Canada it costs $30 plus tax. And sometimes I DO buy a new one for my vehicles if warranted. I just spray clean them, does the job, no CEL or goofiness.
clean both the VVT solenoid and the PVC valve, I bet you notice Matrix seems much nicer.
And if your 03 Matrix is like my brother's, clean the battery posts and battery cables of any acid build up.
I read that issue has to do with the alternator, regardless, clean the battery posts and both cables. Reinstall, snug them up tight.