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is my convertor locking up?

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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 05:35 PM
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Default is my convertor locking up?

i just bought a 98 ta with the auto tranny. this is my 1st fbody with one, all others have been the m6.
it has the gu5 option, which is the 3.23 gears. I presume the gears & stall is stock & at 60mph, its turning 2000 rpms. that seems a little high to me. the car is at operating temp & i can count 3 shifts. 1-2, 2-3, 3-4.

does lockup drop rpms significantly? it might drop 100 or 200 rpms. but i cant tell. theres alot of hills around here lol!
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 05:45 PM
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when you barely touch the brake the converter will unlock... so step on the gas slightly and then tap the brake to see if you can feel it unlock.. with the stock stall the lockup and non lockup isnt very dramatic.
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 06:22 PM
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you may be able to feel it lock and unlock. But if you are stillw ondering have some one log it with hp tuners. They can log tcc slip. I had a new aftermarket converter that would slip 1000-1500 rpms when locked up. Slip should be pretty much 0 when locked.
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by got-a-ls1
when you barely touch the brake the converter will unlock... so step on the gas slightly and then tap the brake to see if you can feel it unlock.. with the stock stall the lockup and non lockup isnt very dramatic.
^^^ This is the easiest way to tell. Try this first, and you will know.
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 07:34 PM
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thanks everyone, i tried that & it does unlock. it goes up 100 rpm & when i let off the brake, it drops 100 when it locks.
new question. why the hell so little rpm? lol
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Old Oct 15, 2010 | 12:09 AM
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stock stall..... pretty tight. thats why an aftermarket one wakes these cars up so much!!
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Old Oct 15, 2010 | 12:15 AM
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Converter should lock and cause about a 3-400 rpm drop on the hwy.
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Old Oct 15, 2010 | 01:07 AM
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RPM drop even on a stock converter depends on load.
Try giving it as much gas as you can without it unlocking, then put your foot on the brake. I've seen up to a 800 rpm difference stock.
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 02:13 PM
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i think im having problems. today, i was taking it easy & was going 45ish & the converter locks up, unlocks then locks, then unlocks.
i speed up to 60 & my rpms are 2k. i do the foot brake thing & it doesnt do anything. i get home & check fluid. its where it needs to be.

the only thing that was different than the other day, is that i have a coolant light on. i put a water pump on last weekend & i assume that i havent got all the air out yet. i check the level & when i took off the cap, it was full.

it also got up to a higher temp too, i was in traffic & it got up to 210.
when i did the test last time, it was at 160 & was on my way to work (8 mi trip).

my ses light is burnt out, but i checked it last week too & it hasnt had any codes show up.
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
Converter should lock and cause about a 3-400 rpm drop on the hwy.
what rear end gear?
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 02:36 PM
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Not meaning to threadjack but if you don't mind Billy1987 how do you check convertor slip with hp tuners ? I have hp tuners but am new to using the program and that sounds very useful .
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by at23520
what rear end gear?
Any...
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by JOSH13
how do you check convertor slip with hp tuners?
Scan using the table display, add pid's for TCC Slip (%) and
TCC Slip RPM (rpm)
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Old Oct 17, 2010 | 08:43 PM
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Yes just do add them like jay said. My slip now is 0 when the converter is locked with a edge stall 3600.
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Old Oct 21, 2010 | 08:12 PM
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update,

took it to a local tranny shop & he hooked it up on the snap on scanner. we rode around for awhile & he came to the conclusion that the converter ISNT locking up. he suspects & worn out valve body. the cost to fix it will be $500. yay...
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Old Oct 22, 2010 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by at23520
update,

took it to a local tranny shop & he hooked it up on the snap on scanner. we rode around for awhile & he came to the conclusion that the converter ISNT locking up. he suspects & worn out valve body. the cost to fix it will be $500. yay...
Doubt it would be the valve body... maybe the the TCC solenoid. if the engine sensor fuse is blown (long tube headers and o2 extensions... ask me how i know) then the converter will lock and unlock like you were saying because the brake sensor switch will not have power.. It will unlock as soon as you let off the gas and then when you get back on the gas it will lock back up... Now if you were steady on the gas and it was locking and unlocking it is likely a mechanical issue. The best way to find out is to find someone with hp tuners and manually lock the converter and go for a drive.
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Old Oct 22, 2010 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by got-a-ls1
Doubt it would be the valve body...
It's very common for the converter clutch regulator valve bore to wear out and cause tcc apply problems.

The bore in the valve body can be reamed for an oversized valve.

Or a transgo valve can be installed, or a superior products valve.
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Old Oct 22, 2010 | 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Jays_SSZ28
It's very common for the converter clutch regulator valve bore to wear out and cause tcc apply problems.

The bore in the valve body can be reamed for an oversized valve.

Or a transgo valve can be installed, or a superior products valve.

this is it. i misspoke. he's actually putting in a sleeve in that wont wear out & another valve
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Old Oct 22, 2010 | 07:19 PM
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Hopefully this... http://www.sonnax.com/announcements/77754-04K.pdf
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