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P0882

TCM Power Input Signal Low

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By
KBB Service Advisor
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Reviewed by
Gary Hardesty

What Is the P0882 Code?

Symptoms
Causes
Seriousness
Can I Still Drive?
Diagnose
Difficulty of Inspecting
Get Additional Help

The P0882 code indicates that there’s a problem with the voltage between the transmission control module (TCM) and the engine control unit (ECU). The transmission control module is, as the name would indicate, the part of the engine that handles the automatic transmission, and this code on its own indicates that only the TCM is having an issue with voltage.

More About the P0882 Code

In an automatic vehicle, system voltage is needed to ensure that the TCM knows exactly when to shift and into what gear. The electronic system allows the TCM to understand the RPM of the vehicle, then shift into a higher gear whenever the RPM is getting too high and threatening to work the engine too hard. It can then shift into a lower gear when the RPM gets lower. This code indicates that the TMC isn’t receiving enough power to make these choices effectively.

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What Are the Symptoms of a P0882 Code?

The first symptom you might notice of the P0882 code is that the check engine light will come on. Next, you’ll start noticing issues with the gear shifting. This might be minor or could be so significant that your gear changes stop working entirely or only switch once the engine seems like it could be overheating. Your speedometer could also be malfunctioning, potentially giving a speed that’s much faster or much slower than your actual speed. The engine can also stall.

What Are Some Causes of a P0882 Code?

One of the most common causes for the P0882 code is simply that the car battery isn’t charged enough or that the wiring between the TCM and ECU, or the TCM and the battery, is malfunctioning. However, in some instances, it could be that the car battery is actively faulty, that fuses and fusible links are blown or corroded, or even that the alternator is having issues.

How Serious Is the P0882 Code?

The P0882 code can be extremely serious. If there are shifting issues within your car, then your car could end up having a tough time shifting into and out of higher gears, making your car behave erratically at higher speeds and potentially leading to issues with the safety of the vehicle. Additionally, the more you run the vehicle with transmission issues, the more likely you are to see permanent transmission damage, which can be much more difficult to fix.

Can I Still Drive with a P0882 Code?

Experts will not recommend that you drive with the P0882 code for any extended period of time. It will typically be safe to drive with this code to the nearest repair shop as long as you’re not noticing issues with the engine stalling or the gears not shifting at all. If you’re concerned about the safety of your vehicle when driving it to the repair shop, then consider calling the repair shop to get some more insight into whether it’s a good idea.

How Easy Is It to Diagnose a P0882 Code?

To diagnose this code, you’ll need to check the battery, alternator, wiring, connectors, power relays, fuses, and fusible links, any of which may have a problem that is causing the P0882 code. This code can have so many different causes that the diagnosis code may be very long and drawn out, especially if the problem isn’t due to the most common issue, which is that the battery simply isn’t charged correctly.

How Difficult Is It to Inspect a P0882 Code?

To properly inspect the P0882 code, a technician needs to look at a number of different elements with a number of different tools. You’ll need a voltmeter, for example, to make sure the battery and alternator are putting out the correct amount of voltage, but you may need other tools to look at the wiring, connectors, and fuses. These tools are one of the reasons that experts are the best solution for this problem.

Need Additional Help with Your P0882 Code?

If you charge your battery and it doesn’t help your problem, then chances are that the P0882 code is more complex than you’ll be able to handle with a simple DIY fix. Instead of trying to deal with this problem all by yourself, you can take your car to an expert, who will be able to identify and fix the problem, avoiding any continuing damage.

The first step is to use Kelley to find a repair shop in your area. No matter what problems you’re having, what make and model car you have, and what’s causing the symptoms, the repair shop locator is a great starting point to fixing it.

Additionally, it may be that your engine isn’t just throwing this code. If you want to look up more codes or you just want a better understanding of how the codes work, then you can use the OBD-II database from KBB.

P0882 Q&A

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