chip controlled lock-up can it be harmful?

[FastTurb]

HI, I don't know if I should post this in the tranny section or here in the chip section. if it should be moved, I understand.

after my engine rebuild/upgrade with 50# injectors and bigger turbo, cam, JE Pistons, upgraded oiling, head work etc I purchased a few different chips to try. I like the chip in it now but it appears to set lockup in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear. The lock up solenoid has been replaced and the car nerver has any sticking in lock-up coming to a stop or in first. But if I light throttle it when it shifts to second it kinda goes uh uh (lug lug) and then if I'm still light on the throttle it will do the say uh uh (lug) in 3rd. The shifts are crisp and on time. If I a give it more throttle I don't get the little uh uh (lug) and everything is just fine. So I pulled the lockup connector and the uh uh (lug) stops and shifting is still fine. I really think it is the chip forcing lock-up in each gear above 1st.

If this is what is happening will this put excessive load on the tranny or even damage it prematurely? I am going to use the car as a daily driver. The tranny and engine are in excellent shape at this point (touch wood) and I don't want to ruin anything. I know folks wanted the lockup for racing and it is fine by me if it doesn't cause damage when used all the time. If it is bad for the tanny, I will either put a switch on the signal and only use occasionally or try another chip. thanks for any help with this....

 

[FastTurb]

reply to myself

I hoped some software experts would respond and explain how the lock-up is handled/controlled by the chips. I was wondering if they just take the lock-up signal and force it "on" all the time period. I am obviously not very knowledgeable about the programming. I'll move my hardware questions over to the trannie section and see if the experts can give me any thoughts too. thanks to anyone who may respond.

 

[Danster]

Something is not right. Maybe check to make sure the TV cable is set correctly. It sounds like it's locking up way to soon which can point to the TV cable set improperly.

Most chips are programmed to lock up at 45 mph, some have them set for 50 mph if requested.

Maybe someone more knowlegable then me can further add their input to help solve this problem.

Was your tranny rebuilt? Did this start only after changing to the other chip? If so, contact the chip maker and ask them at what mph is it programmed to lock up the converter.

Dannyo

 

[TurboDave]

TV cable can control locup?? That's a new one on me

He's got other problems. Either chip related, something in the wiring, but it's impossible to tell or even hazard a guess, since FastTurb has chosen not to give us any info on the car, chips, scan tools, general setup, etc.

 

[bruce]

I like the chip in it now but it appears to set lockup in 2nd 3rd and 4th gear.

The TCC can't lock up in 2nd under ecm control.
The ecm relies on seeing a 3rd gear switch, and 4th gear switch signal.

Chips can be programmed not to lock in third gear.

There are MPH, TPS, and coolant temp parameters that must be meet to enable the TCC.

Direct Scan shows the 3rd gear, 4th gear switch toggling as well as the TCC application.

FWIW, the 3rd gear switch toggles when going into 3rd, and stays on in 4th, and the 4th gear switch just toggles when in forth, on the GNs. On the TTAs it seems that both the 3rd and 4th gear switches toggle going into 3rd and then stay on for both 3rd and 4th gears. I've only watched on TTA on the switching stuff, and supposedly it was stock.

Excessively lugging any engine isn't a good thing.

Having a Direct Scan and a passenger calling out that's going on as you drive can be enlightening.

 

[FastTurb]

could this be the case vs. should it be

HI and thanks for the help and replies. I was asking a more generic question or at least trying to - can a chip be prgrammed to have lock-up on ALL THE TIME? this first question is more hypothetical and then I had follow up questions like is it good to do this etc. Of course, we can discuss is it right or not too.

I didn't know if it was just some kind of check that could be done even if I need to send the chip out to someone but I do like Bruce's suggestion to reconnect the TCC and have some watch (I use TurboLink) as I drive for what is happening since I am only really guessing that the lock-up and lugging is happening in 2,3,and 4 gears.

I bought the chip almost three years ago from someone on the board and it sat until 2 months ago when we finished the motor rebuild. It only says "street 93, 50# 19-20 degrees" on it. I like the way the chip runs and have had the TCC disconnected for 2 weeks now for daily driving. the trannie shifts perfectly. I do have a Trasher for 50# injectors that I will try also.

Since I was aware that in the old days you would use a switch to ground on the ecm connector to force lock-up when racing I was wondering if this could be coded in a chip as well and that may be my situation.

again thanks for the help, Hopefully I am not as dumb as I may sound in my posts.

 

[Danster]

TV cable can control locup?? That's a new one on me QUOTE]

I don't know what the hell I was thinking? That's a new one on me too!

It was too early in the morning and no caffeine.



Dannyo

 

[SPOOLN]

One suggestion, you might want to check your brake switch by the brake pedal. The switch also controls the TCC lock to unlock when brakes are apply. You can adjust this switch as well. Or test to see if it is good.

 

[FastTurb]

disengage works fine

the brake pedal switch is fine. Lockup disengages fine with brake, with down shift, rolling to a stop etc. It's just the locking up in the early gears with very light throttle that has me concerned. I'll be trying tio get another chip and also watching Turbo-Link to see for sure which gear it first locks up. thanks for the help.

 

[Eric Stage I]

The chip can be set up to lock in 2nd, but it would be strange that a street chip would be set up that way.
When you get Turbolink hooked up, monitor the TCC lockup flag and see if its coming on in 2nd.

Eric

 

[FastTurb]

thanks Eric I appreciate your help. I will be ordering a chip from you. I hesitated because I read that you must turn AC on to modify the chip parameters. I have removed my AC and need to understand how to get around this. I have the underhood connector for the compressor and sensors but I no longer have a dashboard control where I can select air conditioner. there is NO AC selector for non-AC set-ups on the dashboard. but anyway I need to get my hands on another chip so I thought I would get one from you. thanks again.

 

[Eric Stage I]

When you're ready, email me and we'll get something figured out.

If you want me to check out your current chip to see if it's set up to lock in 2nd, I can do that too. The other possibility is the ECM is getting improper info about the speed or throttle position.

Eric

 

[FastTurb]

order placed

Hi Eric, I placed an order from your site earlier today and paid via paypal. Once I get your chip in and running, I may send the other chip back for your review. Lots of folks say the TurboTweak chip is the way to go so I am looking forward to using it. I'll be adding a temp gauge for the trans fluid too. I am already monitoring EGTs and oil temp so another meter can't hurt and this way I can watch how hot I get when I don't use lock-up. Oh I still haven't put a passneger in the car and watched the lock-up and gear indicators on TurboLink. But I do think TurboLink only shows 3rd and 4th gears plus park/neutral selector and TCC. It may not show what I am looking for - lock-up in 2nd. Thanks for your help.

 

[Eric Stage I]

All you need to look at is the TCC lock indicator. If it comes on when your in 2nd gear, then it's being commanded by the ECM to do so.

Eric

 

[pacecarta]

to program when you dont have a/c all you need to do is supply 12v to pin B8 at the ecm (lt blue wire)

connect 12v to a switch and the other end to that lt blue wire (B8)with one of those 3m kotchlok taps .

im using the console ashtray mounted switch panel and also have the IAT senor disconnect on a switch so i dont have to move from my seat, just cut the C11 wire at the ecm (tan) and wire each end to a switch , when the switch is closed the system works as normal , when its open with key in on position you are in ready to program (scan master will show 71 for temp) . if you forget to flip the switch back to normal and do tstart the car SES light will come on , then just flip the switch closed and in a couple seconds it will go right out.

 

[FastTurb]

thanks very much Paul!