Torque Converter Clutch Lockup

[AKTURBOTA]

I had the 200-4R transmission rebuilt (local Anchorage, Ak trans shop) in my TTA last year and am using a PTS Extreme torque converter (Stalls at 3400). I have an intermittant problem with the torque converter clutch locking up as soon as it shifts into 2nd gear. If I tap the brake pedal the clutch releases. Additionally, at light part throttle acceleration the clutch engages and disengages spastically. This was not a problem before the rebuild and whenever I took the car back to the transmission shop the torque converter locked up normally. They replaced the torque converter clutch soleniod and I put the car into storage shortly afterward without the problem reoccuring. I broke the car out of storage in April and within a week of driving the torque converter clutch was locking up going into second gear and acting spastically at part throttle acceleration.

When I race the car at the drag strip, I have a switch that I turn on that causes the torque converter to lockup shifting into second gear. The car now behaves as if I have that switch turn on all of the time. What could be causing this? It is very annoying that it is happening in the first place and more troubling in that it is an intermittant "gremlin."

 

[SyHopeful]

I feel your pain, Mark. My TCC solenoid is acting up, but not as spastically as yours, it sounds.

You going to be at AK raceway tomorrow for opening day??

 

[AKTURBOTA]

This problem really sucks! Hopefully there is a simple solution...at least I am hopeful for one.

No I am staying home tomorrow...I don't have a "kitchen pass" to go. My wife's mom and dad are heading back to Ohio early Monday morning, so it is going to be a "family" day tomorrow. I might get out to the track for Memorial Day though.

 

[87gn-newbee]

Looks like we all have some kind of problem with our cars I haven't tracked down my problem yet just seems like a rattle or ticking noise down by the TC. Car still runs great no KR just that noise that bugs the hell out of me.

Replaced the fly wheel but it didn't help.

I'll be going tomorrow to check it out but I need my car to get to work on Monday since the HD is at the dealership until who knows when.

Next weekend I'll see if it blows up

Dan

 

[AKTURBOTA]

Dan,

Interestingly enough the torque converter clutch was working without a problem Saturday until later in the evening when I drove into Eagle River to show an apartment in my fourplex and it started to "act up" and is still causing me a headache.

Given your post, it appears that you are still looking for your problem as well.

 

[87gn-newbee]

Mark the noise above 3200 RPM is gone and also in park so I did fix something but there is still a ticking noise down around the TC at idle.

I went to the track to check it out and will race next weekend I need to get my truck back so I have to drive the GN around for a few days.

The car runs great though so I'm just going to leave it for now. I need to put it on a lift and check for something maybe metal on metal causing the noise.

Dan

 

[SyHopeful]

The car runs great though so I'm just going to leave it for now.

Watch out for pissed off geezers in the middle of the road

I just ordered a new TCC solenoid from PTS. My problem is getting worse; when I shifted out of OD into D last night the car just started lurching, like the solenoid has tourette's.

 

[AKTURBOTA]

As luck would have it my problem is intermittant. I drove the car to work yesterday and the TCC worked fine from my house to the Glenn Highway. When I got on the Glenn, and the car shifted into OD it lurched 3 to 4 times like the TCC engaged and disengaged quickly and worked like a dream. I am exasperated, damn intermittant, how do you troubleshoot a problem like this...I am not absolutely certain. It has to be electrical though.

I trully feel your pain Rich, your problem will probably go away with the new TCC solenoid.

 

[SyHopeful]

Mark, have you looked at all the wiring? Maybe the wiring up to the transmission housing has a short somewhere, causing the solenoid to engage/disengage randomly.

 

[87gn-newbee]

Rich ya that guy almost got "runded over"

Mark I found what was causing that noise. It was the FP gauge line rubbing up against the fire wall so taking out the trans was useless. I put some wire loom over the line and all is good.

I do still hear a ticking noise comming from the TC are but whatever.

Dan