Converter not unlocking

[bob86gn]

Installed my new PTSXtreme streep/strip transmission. Ran like a champ. Shifting was superb. Did not go past 1/2 throttle but the 1/2 and 2/3 shift was great. Drove home on the highway at about 65+/-, got on the exit ramp and knew something was wrong, car boggd down. Converter would not unlock. Car stalled. Got pushed by a cop into a shopping center and AAAed it home.

Car starts, runs fine in park and neutral. Reverse or drive it stalls.

No racing this week, where do I begin the diagnosis. Bruce told me to buy a new 9/11 instead of using my Vig. I did not listen.

Help

PS. the old pan and fluid was immaculate. NOTHING in the pan, the magnet was clean and the trans fluid looked like new after 5K miles and 30 1/4 mile passes.

 

[bob86gn]

ttt

 

[MeanBuicks]

You've either got a sticking TCC solenoid (most likely) or your TCC valve is stuck in the pump. If your pan is off, remove the TCC solenoid and see if you can blow through the end of it. If not, it's toast. If so, it still may be toast.

Get a scribe or similar tool, and see if you can feel the TCC valve go up and down as you push on it through the small hole in the retainer. If it's stuck in the up position, that's your problem. If not, go back to the solenoid.

It's probably going sour as they all do and stick when they get warmed up. Replace it and you should be fine.

 

[2quiktocare]

Bob, you are not suppose too have fluid at the TCC in P,N,R, or 1st. If it stalls as soon as you put it in gear, sounds like you have a converter problem, but check the TCC to be safe. Your trans withstood Bruce in the test car. Would have failed there if anywhere, but play it safe before you go into pulling it again and check the TCC. Mark

 

[bob86gn]

Thanks Mark. That is my plan. I figured if the TCC or valve got stuck closed the convertor would not be able to unlock since the fluid would have no where to go! I will try to disconnect the wiring harnes as well and see if that helps any.

Bob

 

[bob86gn]

Finally stopped raining long enough to drop the pan.

Everything looked ok, however. Once I removed the solenoid and tried to press the valve plunger that the solenoid contacts up I noticed that it moves but there is not spring to it like my original tranny. It appears that the valve is hung up in the pump body and the small metal disc that goes between it and the solenoid is the only piece moving. Any ideas how to get it unstuck? I will run the trans without the lock up I just want it to run.

 

[bob86gn]

A little more info, I looked into the solenoid hole from below and you can see that the valve is stuck in the pump through the small hole in the plate that is engaged by the solenoid.

 

[bob86gn]

Pulled the retaining ring, dropped the tc valve, micced the old one and new one both were exactly the same, springs seemed to be the same as well. Replaced springs, valve, plate and retainer in new trans with same from old trans. Upon reassembly I noticed the solenoids were different. The one in the new trans is longer and was wired into the existing harness. I replaced the TCC and entire wiring harness from my old trans and so far so good. I have not checked lock up yet but it runs.

 

[bob86gn]

Adjusted the TV cable tonight and the car is running great!

Shifts are firm, first time I barked second in a couple of years!