What happens if your converter hasn't been locking up?

[d0n_3d]

I still can't tell if my torque converter is locking up like it used to...a long time ago when I was stock I used to see a drop in rpms at around 50-55 mph of like 2-300 rpms and thus the TC was locking up...I installed an aftermarket 145 speedo and installed a reducer...TC never locked up again...now I threw away the reducer and went back to my old stock 85 mph speedo and still no lockup...went through many chips, still no lockup...

replaced the TCC solenoid with new one...still don't feel it lockup or see drops in rpms...I run turbolink and it shows at around 55 mph TCC lockup = on...

so what is going on here? computer is telling TC to lockup but it isn't? I haven't replaced the brake switch yet...my cruise control stopped working a long time ago and I got rid of it thinking it was bad...I think all this time the brake switch went bad...so brake switch it sounds like eh? I am gonna change it and see what happens...

btw I have been driving supposely for two years now without the TC locking up...is this bad???

 

[TURBOV6]

With the ignition on check the purple wire at the tranny it should have 12v if it don't check your switch at the brake pedal.

 

[d0n_3d]

ok what if i do have power going to the tcc solenoid and i just replaced my brake switch and it still doesn't lockup?! i guess i have a bad torque converter...

or?

i tried tapping into the top left terminal wire under the dash and wired it to a toggle switch...could this have something to do with it? but it wasn't locking before i installed the switch anyways...ecm tells it to lockup at 55 mph but i don't feel a thing...i cruise at 55 mph at around 2000-2200 rpms which is kinda high isn't it? i am getting horrible gas mileage...i used to feel the rpms drop at that speed when i was stock...like almost another gear was shifting...no more...

 

[d0n_3d]

forgot to mention i replaced my brake switch...still no lockup...

i bought a volt meter yesterday and tested the TCC terminal in the aldl connector...everytime i grouned it i would hear a "click" under neath the car...that was the solenoid locking up i believe...so i KNOW the solenoid is good...it's brand new and getting voltage....the brake switch is good and brand new...so my torque converter is bad? that is not good...how much would that cost to get it replaced from a shop? i don't understand how a TCC just "goes out" because i never raced it and hell i never even locked it up while racing it...i mean my car has 85k miles on it which is just breaking it in...what went wrong

 

[TURBOV6]

If you have voltage there, then get in the car, put a jumper between A and F on the aldl connector. Start the car and accelerate lightly. If the tranny shifts really hard going into second, then it locked up which would suggest the ecm is not locking the tranny. If it does not shift hard, then I think the problem is probably inside the tranny...either the solenoid or some trash in the hydraulic circuit.

 

[ChrisCairns]

Don,

A few years back I went through what you're going through. After checking all the easy stuff I ended up putting another TC into the car. That fixed it.

So you may be in the market for another lockup torque converter.

And running without lockup will created more transmission heat and you'll get less miles per gallon on fuel.

 

[CraigT]

It will get really hot. I went on a road trip and mine wasn't locking up. It went about 7 hours and blew up. The stereo shop accidently cut the wire.

 

[d0n_3d]

ok i retested the wires in the connector connecting to the tcc solenoid under the car...the purple wire got no reading...i set the meter on ohms...didn't show anything...

i tested the other 3 wires and they showed less than an ohm which means they are good...so now what do i do? i am excited because maybe my torque converter isn't shot...the solenoid just isn't getting power via the purple wire! but now what else do i check? this was with the key on only...

do i check the brake switch? i mean what is going on here

 

[TURBOV6]

The key has to be on the run position to check for 12v

 

[d0n_3d]

run position as in car running? or just key on which turns all electrical stuff on...

 

[crash]

Just key on.

 

[87gn-newbee]

don_3d
Did you find out the problem? I have a similar problem also. Went out for a ride and TC not locking up in 3rd unless done manuall and it does lock up in forth by it's self but feels mushy. Anyone got some ideas. Any help appreciated.
Dan

 

[GS70350]

Originally posted by CraigT
It will get really hot. I went on a road trip and mine wasn't locking up. It went about 7 hours and blew up. The stereo shop accidently cut the wire.

?????????? Ive had my car since 01, and have never had the TC lockup. When i got it, it had been unplugged and zip tied underneath the car, and now i have it plugged in, but have the switch so that it wont lock up by grounding the brake switch. I certainly hope that this was just in your car, i dont wanna hurt my tranny. The TCC is sticky, so thats why i dont use it. Ive driven to BG and back every year in it, no troubles.