slick Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 I probably didn't spell it right, oh well. Anyways, for the past month, every once in a while when im driving around, my torque converter doesn't lock up in 4th gear like its supposed to. I changed my fluid, filter, and gasket last sunday. For a week, it was fine, but now its not locking up all the time. Any suggestions? Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 It should lock up in third gear aroudn 35 mph, with normal acceleration, but its based on speed and engine load. It should stay locked up in 4th. When you let off the gas in 3rd or 4th, the torque converter will unlock. Also, if you hit the brakes it will disengage. Quote
slick Posted November 3, 2003 Author Report Posted November 3, 2003 Yeah, i knew that. But there are times when im just cruising and it doesn't lock up. When i could be doing 1700 rpms, im doing about 2200 rpms. Bad gas mileage. Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 3, 2003 Report Posted November 3, 2003 Well, it all depends on engine load, and vehicle speed. After cleaning my top end this summer and changing my tranny fluid, I noticed it would lockup sooner than before. Also, you have a 4T60E, and from driving my sisters, I noticed they lockup later than the 4T60. I dont know why, I just noticed that hers locks up later than mine. When you think it should lock up, do you have the air or defrost on? Quote
89oldscutlass Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Hey Robby have you ever unpluged your lockup torque coverter on your 4T60? Quote
scorpion_x9 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Hey Robby have you ever unpluged your lockup torque coverter on your 4T60? Â I have a 4T60E (hunk of junk) and i'm diagnosing a problem. I'm going to experiment hooking up a switch of some sort to manually control lockup. If anyone knows if I need some sort of resistor or something before I hook up an "on/off" switch. I need to know what it'll do if i just hook up a switch to it. Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Hey Robby have you ever unpluged your lockup torque coverter on your 4T60? Â I have had the plug unplugged before to diagnose stuf. I have an adjustable modulator on it now Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Another thing that effects when the clutch engages is whether or not the A/C compressor is running. With the A/C on, mine engages at minimal acceleration at 37 MPH, without it on it engages at 33. Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Another thing that effects when the clutch engages is whether or not the A/C compressor is running. With the A/C on, mine engages at minimal acceleration at 37 MPH, without it on it engages at 33. Â Yeah, I include that with engine load, since it puts a load on the engine Quote
91cutty Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 when it was cold out and my t-stat was shot the tc wouldn't lock up. Quote
slick Posted November 4, 2003 Author Report Posted November 4, 2003 My heat running, that would be it. Maybe my stereo would have something to do with it? But it doesn't happen all the time, just every once in a while. Do you think that the torque converer could be crapping out on me? Quote
TeeJay3800 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Another thing that effects when the clutch engages is whether or not the A/C compressor is running. With the A/C on, mine engages at minimal acceleration at 37 MPH, without it on it engages at 33.  Yeah, I include that with engine load, since it puts a load on the engine  Yeah it seems to put a huge load on the engine. I don't like to use the A/C because acceleration is sluggish with it on. Quote
runt Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Wow. I realize that this isn't on topic, but I have been having the same kind of problem (sort of, I think!) and this may have helped me in a huge way!! yay! Thanks! Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 My heat running, that would be it. Maybe my stereo would have something to do with it? But it doesn't happen all the time, just every once in a while. Do you think that the torque converer could be crapping out on me? Â No, I dont think so. You would feel vibrations or jerking and/or slipping all the time if that were the case Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 Wheres that located at? Â Take the airbox off and look right under it on the tranny about 4-6 inches right of the block and there should be a big grey thing with one vacuum line on it, thats the modulator Quote
slick Posted November 4, 2003 Author Report Posted November 4, 2003 OK, cool. I'll get back to you in about an hour on this. Edit: What should i be checking when i do this? Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 4, 2003 Report Posted November 4, 2003 OK, cool. I'll get back to you in about an hour on this.Edit: What should i be checking when i do this? Â Take the modulator out. If it has tranny fluid inside it, its bad Quote
slick Posted November 6, 2003 Author Report Posted November 6, 2003 Yep, its bad. Gonna get a new one when i have time. Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 6, 2003 Report Posted November 6, 2003 Yep, its bad. Gonna get a new one when i have time. Â You can get an adjustable one to make your shifts firmer Quote
Robby1870 Posted November 6, 2003 Report Posted November 6, 2003 about $17 at Advance. Ask for an Adjustable Vacuum Modulator for a 1990 Cutlass Supreme with 3.1L Quote
slick Posted November 6, 2003 Author Report Posted November 6, 2003 Would NAPA or Autozone have this? Quote
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