I installed TCI-242938 converter yesterday, 2500 stall. There is grinding noise when the converter locks up under part throttle with RPM 2000-2500. Somewhere in between this RPM range comes the grinding noise.

Is there anything wrong with this or is it normal? would it hurt if I drive it for sometime until I remove the transmission and put back my stock converter.

The other strange thing, it flash below or around 2000RPM, 4L60E.

 

don't drive it a foot..... until you determine what it is, tow it to a shop and have it diagnosed... driving it like that if it is internal trans or TC problem will only cause more damage than is already there, the fluid will carry debris through it.. had this issue with a TCI TC, I escaped complete destruction because I didn't drive on it, my Friend wasn't so lucky, took his whole trans out...Good Luck & next time, get a Vig, worth the $$$

 

 

Transmission shop had a look at it and said the TCI converter is shot. I am putting back my stock converter. I hope my transmission is fine. Will pull the transmission tomorrow.

Hands down to TCI converters.

 

The noise is the converter clutch slipping. Same problem will happen with a stock rebuild and a carbon clutch. The PWM needs to be eliminated with a transgo pwm kit and it needs to be tuned so the converter locks only in fourth and while cruising under light throttle. Also needs to be tuned to unlock with very little throttle.
Not a bad converter if tuned to baby the lock up. But that doesn't say much about the durability of the lock up, forget locking it while in a race.

 

I'm having the same problem....what is this "PWM"? It can be fixed by tuning?

 

So, you are saying the converter is fine and I should have the PCM tuned for the lock up. How is that done?

Let me explain more. When driving in 4th at about 50mph and then try to accelerate lightly, the grinding noise comes between 2000-2500RPM and then disappears as I pass the 2500RPM.

 

PWM Stands for pulse Width modulation. Basically it pulses the converter clutch when it applies it.
The PWM kit will make it just apply rather than pulsing it several times. It will actually feel like a fourth shift. This can't be done through tuning it needs to be done by changing the pulse valve in the valve body.
What needs to be tuned is the tcc lock up points. It cannot lock up in third because it will unlock during the 3-4 shift then lock back up when it shifts to fourth, that will feel like the trans is hunting for a gear.
The tcc apply and release needs to be set to lock and unlock very sensitive to the throttle so it doesn't apply too much power to the tcc making it slip.

 

Yes it could be tuned out because you're appling too much engine power to it and making it slip. It can be tuned sensitive to unlock while under power and lock at low throttle postitions (not under power, just cruising).

 

send that junk back and buy a Vig, then you don't have to worry about ANY lockup issues.. I bought a Multidisc 3 plate and my friend runs a 5plate in his 1100hp C5.. worth the $$.. those TCI's are timebombs when using it for a DD...

 

Or you could do that.

 

8a8mfh,

Is what you refer to the Trango PWM valve the same as Trango shift kit (PSK 4L60E), because I have it waiting for the install.

Grinding noise comes when accelerating lightly from a cruse. If I apply too much throttle, it would rev quickly and no noticeable grinding noise as when accelerating lightly

I would rather switch back to stock converter rather than having a timed TCI bomb.

 

I never ran it without the TransGo valve but I did run one and had the same problem when it would lock up too early and unlock too late. I'll have to check the numbers later. I think the PSK is a kit that has the valve and a few other things in it.

 

sounds like its a converter problem don't drive and get trans out asap change filter and fluid and get stock or real converter back in asap

 

Well, I put the shifter in 3rd and it still grinds at light throttle 2000-2500 RPM. So, I guess it's not the lock up clutches this time. This TCI TC must be bad.

I am going back to my stock TC.

 

my TCI was out of balance and if that wasn't bad enough, broke a few fins, that's where my noise was coming from.. send it back, get a refund and get a Vigilante.. in this case you get waht you pay for, and with that, you wont have to "sweat" every time the converter locks wondering if that's the last time

 

Tuning will not fix that. As stock the TCC tables are setup for light cruise enable/disable duty. Setting the tables to any "lighter duty" will render the TCC useless for cruising, as the TCC will rpetty much disengage when come to a little dip on the freeway. He has a converter problem, not a TCC nor PWM problem. Pull out that converter and contact TCI (if it is new).

 

It's hard to tell without actually hearing it.
Plus I'm not saying set the tcc tables so sensitive it unlocks when the wind blows

I had a TCI SF 3000 in my car and had no problems, I was wondering what all the talk was about tcc problems with them so one day I manually locked it and gave it throttle--not a nice sound.
But it would drive locked up under moderate loads with no noises.
I took it out after about two weeks.
So my whole bit of advice was based around what I experienced as far as noise. No one here can accurately diagnose it without hearing it, but I do agree if it doesn't sound right take it out, you can't go wrong getting rid of it.

 

My car is a 1998 Camaro with FLT Level V tranny.

I have the same grinding at part throttle with a Vigilante 3 disc 2600 stall. I scanned the trans settings with Hptuners while driving. The grinding occurs as soon as the tcc is changing from ''apply'' to ''Lock''. Giving it a bit more throttle, the tcc unlocks and the grinding is gone. I have tried different trans settings (i.e. raising max/min duty cycle, tcc lockup mph etc.) and it's still grinding. So I don't think it can be done by tuning.

I'm going to put my stock converter in and see if its the vig. converter.

 

That is just it, you should NOT hear any noises when the TCC is locked. I have locked TCCs ranging from stock to multi-disc/billet cover units. If the stack up inside the converter is correct, you will never hear a peep from the TCC. From light cruising to WOT operation*. If you hear any noises from a TCC, the stack up was not setup properly (not enough and the TCC will not engage properly) or the lining has come off ... hence the grinding noises people report. I believe you had an issue with your TCC, but since you pulled it out, you'll never know.

*Disclaimer: stock TCC can hold a WOT pass, but prolonged abuse will cause premature failure of the stock or stock type TCC. Only HD TCC or billet cover type TCC (single or multi-disc) should be used during sustained (street, drag or dyno) WOT "abuse".