Hello guys,
Just wanted to give you a quick update on the transmission replacement on my Sonic. Over the weekend (After Thanksgiving), I finished putting everything back together.
1. The 2015 Sonic trans bolted perfectly onto my 2012 Sonic engine. The only difference was one bolt on the bottom that was not the same size.
2. I refilled the trans with Amsoil Signature ATF. I added about 7.2 quarts while the engine was running and the trans on Park until the fluid came out of the level hole on the driver side of the transmission.
3. I shifted several times from P to all the other gears and back while the car was parked inside my garage.
4. There are no error codes displayed for the transmission (Fingers crossed).
5. I will be testing the car on the road sometimes this week and will let you know how it drives.
6. The only new issues I have now are: a) Code P0171 System too lean (Bank 1) b) The brake pedal is very hard.
Regarding transmission programming, can anyone confirm whether I need to go to the dealer or not to have the transmission programmed or can I just leave it as it is since there are no transmission codes?
Thanks a lot!
I'm just going to give a heads up on this swap since I have done exactly what you have done and have been running for about a year now with the swapped transmission with zero codes.
If you are BNR tuned, You can load the tune file and go without issues, however there is no guarantee that Jerry will be able to successfully program the TCM. I'll have to figure out how EFI live works with TCM programming when tuned.
If you are Trifecta Tuned, You will need to ask Steve or Vince to have 2 separate files sent to you after you give them the TCM readout for the VIN.
The reason for this is because the PCM and the TCM aren't able to communicate with each other when the VIN doesn't match which prevents a single file from being used when programming with EZ-Flash. This is why they split the files. They have one specific to the TCM and one for the PCM for the different VINS. This allows you to Flash the car with a tune specific to the PCM and TCM separately in EZ-Flash
Also because of the PCM and TCM communication issue, a dealership won't really be able to flash the TCM to match the VIN of the car. It's wonky, but least you can tune the car after a trans swap.