Delayed "Lockup" on Torque Converter
#1
Delayed "Lockup" on Torque Converter
I've searched and searched and can't find a thread that remotely answers this. I've driven dad's 2000 Explorer and it doesn't seem to do this and he does absolutely nothing to maintain his vehicle. So here goes:
4r44e Trans. It takes at LEAST a half mile of steady 60 mph before the torque converter locks and drops the RPM to about 2100. On a cold day it will go a mile or so before locking. Is this normal?
I've found that if I turn off the O/D it will lock faster and drop to about 2700 at 60 mph in roughly a quarter mile, I can then hit the O/D again and it'll drop down to 2100 and stay there until my foot changes or speed drops due to a hill. Also, the shifting doesn't seem very firm, kind of lacking. IDK. O/D light does not blink, no codes stored or otherwise.
If this is normal, then so be it... if not, any fixes? I just find it unusual that it would wait so long. I have other questions about it but I suppose that should be in another thread... but it may be due to the transmission. I added to vehicle mods to explain its past: Ford Ranger Forum - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource - View Profile: davethepear
4r44e Trans. It takes at LEAST a half mile of steady 60 mph before the torque converter locks and drops the RPM to about 2100. On a cold day it will go a mile or so before locking. Is this normal?
I've found that if I turn off the O/D it will lock faster and drop to about 2700 at 60 mph in roughly a quarter mile, I can then hit the O/D again and it'll drop down to 2100 and stay there until my foot changes or speed drops due to a hill. Also, the shifting doesn't seem very firm, kind of lacking. IDK. O/D light does not blink, no codes stored or otherwise.
If this is normal, then so be it... if not, any fixes? I just find it unusual that it would wait so long. I have other questions about it but I suppose that should be in another thread... but it may be due to the transmission. I added to vehicle mods to explain its past: Ford Ranger Forum - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource - View Profile: davethepear
#4
Are we ONLY talking about when the truck itself is cold? Is this a new behavior?
If so, the shift strategy is different when cold and will take a little longer to lock the torque converter, but that still seems excessive.
I guess the other obvious questions are (a) what is the ATF level and (b) when was the ATF last flushed?
If so, the shift strategy is different when cold and will take a little longer to lock the torque converter, but that still seems excessive.
I guess the other obvious questions are (a) what is the ATF level and (b) when was the ATF last flushed?
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Starting to see that my "problems" are normal... (I'm also on therangerstation.com, same username, same avatar)... and a few others. It never hurts to have multiple opinions & ideas.
I've had it locked in 4-Hi since Sunday, occasionally putting it in 2 (the highway has no snow/ice), it's been doing fine lately. It does seem to "slip" out of 4wd on occasion and the back slides, then it catches and rights itself. Weird. I'm pretty sure I have a live front axle... I haven't looked, it's too cold to worry about at the moment.
I've had it locked in 4-Hi since Sunday, occasionally putting it in 2 (the highway has no snow/ice), it's been doing fine lately. It does seem to "slip" out of 4wd on occasion and the back slides, then it catches and rights itself. Weird. I'm pretty sure I have a live front axle... I haven't looked, it's too cold to worry about at the moment.
#13
yes that is live front axle. inspect the front axle to see if it has a vacuum disconnect on the passenger side. if not, the transfer case shift fork and cam are worn out and it will not hold 4x4 under accelleration.
change the transmission fluid and filter for the delayed shifts and lockup. if this does not fix it, the separator plate gasket may be blown. replace the separator plate gasket, adjust the bands and the EPC solenoid and give that a try. The delay in converter lock up when the trans is cold, is because the PCM uses the torque converters fluid shearing capabilities to warm the fluid before allowing converter lock up
change the transmission fluid and filter for the delayed shifts and lockup. if this does not fix it, the separator plate gasket may be blown. replace the separator plate gasket, adjust the bands and the EPC solenoid and give that a try. The delay in converter lock up when the trans is cold, is because the PCM uses the torque converters fluid shearing capabilities to warm the fluid before allowing converter lock up
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Oddly enough it's been doing rather well lately... hmm. I looked closely, the transmission cooling lines bypass the radiator completely, only using the auxiliary cooler... I don't even see where it could be hooked up even if I wanted to. I'm always smelling antifreeze when I get out after a drive. Maybe it's a radiator for (or from) a manual transmission vehicle? I looked at dad's 2000 Exploder, his go through the radiator as well as the auxiliary cooler.
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