P0631 VIN Not Programmed or Incompatible – TCM
OBD-II Trouble Code Technical Description
VIN Not Programmed or Incompatible – TCM
What does that mean?
This is a generic diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and applies to many OBD-II vehicles (1996-newer). That may include but is not limited to vehicles from Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, etc. Although generic, the exact repair steps may vary depending on year, make, model and powertrain configuration.
When a code P0631 is stored, it means that the transmission control module (TCM) does not recognize the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN).
Every vehicle produced in North America is assigned a VIN. This series of numbers and letters denotes the country of manufacture, year, make, and model of the vehicle, as well as the transmission type and the engine size/type. The last six-digits at the end of the VIN provide the sequence in which each vehicle was produced. No two vehicles are assigned exactly the same number.
Since the inception of OBD-II diagnostic systems, the VIN has been programmed into each ECM/PCM (after it is installed in the vehicle). Other controllers, including the TCM, may also be programmed to recognize the VIN but a federal mandate demands that the ECM/PCM is programmed as such.
The primary reason for government and auto industry insistence that the ECM/PCM be programmed to recognize the VIN is to discourage vehicle and controller theft and prevent odometer tampering. System controllers cannot be swapped between vehicles without being programmed to match the vehicle. Vehicle mileage is also programmed into the ECM/PCM. If controllers could be swapped between vehicles, odometer readings would be far less accurate if not totally unreliable. When an ECM/PCM Is replaced, it must be programmed with the vehicle’s odometer reading and VIN (among other things). The TCM is programmed to recognize the VIN for similar reasons.
If the TCM fails to find or recognize the VIN, a code P0631 will be stored and a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) may be illuminated. The TCM searches for the VIN when the key is turned on and the self-test is run. In most cases, the TCM will not function without VIN recognition.
Photo of a PCM with the cover removed:
What is the severity of this DTC?
Since automatic transmission function will be adversely affected without VIN recognition by the TCM, a stored code P0631 should be categorized as severe.
What are some of the symptoms of the code?
Symptoms of a P0631 trouble code may include:
What are some of the common causes of the code?
Causes for this code may include:
What are some P0631 troubleshooting steps?
Unlike most other stored codes, the P0631 is usually related to TCM failure or some type of programming error. Due to the delicate nature of certain parameters which must be programmed into the various controllers (VIN and mileage), access to reprogramming equipment must be limited to qualified personnel. Without the means to reprogram the controller in question, making a successful repair will be very unlikely.
You will need a diagnostic scanner and a reliable source of vehicle information to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis of a code P0631. Use the vehicle information source to search for applicable technical service bulletins (TSB). If you locate a TSB that matches the vehicle make and model, symptoms exhibited, and the code stored, it will help to point you in the right direction.
I would connect the diagnostic scanner to the vehicle diagnostic port and read the VIN as it is perceived by the TCM. Compare the VIN on the diagnostic scanner to the actual VIN (lower driver side of the windshield). If the etched VIN tag does not match the VIN displayed on the scanner, suspect that the TCM has been swapped from another vehicle.
IF the VIN is not displayed in the scanner, suspect that the TCM has been replaced without programming it to match the vehicle. If this is not the case, you may suspect TCM failure or a programming error.
In some cases, aftermarket replacement TCMs (that have been reprogrammed to match the vehicle in question) may be purchased. If this is possible, you will need to provide the parts vendor with the mileage and VIN of the vehicle, as well as any other pertinent data.
Unfortunately, there is no fool proof method for testing the TCM. Nevertheless, it is relatively safe to assume that barring any controller replacement without proper programming, some type of controller failure has occurred.
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"Delete Error Code Permanently, Disable DTC Error Code Function for p0631 in the ECU"
In extreme cases, we even have the option to permanently remove the specific DTC p0631 and disable the function of the specific error code in the ECU. All other fault code functions will then continue to work to protect the engine. This is different from clearing an error code with a diagnostic device. We have the option to permanently remove the function of the specific error code, so that it never comes back. Also emergency running that occurs on the specific error code can be solved in most cases.
Of course we prefer to first try to solve the cause of the error code, but sometimes the only solution is to permanently disable the DTC function of p0631.
