Has anybody got any idea why a lockup torque converter on an '81 should suddenly stop locking up :confused:
It was working fine. And now it's not. I'm going to check that the wires to the trans from the computer are connected OK, but is there anything else that may cause the problem that's easy to check, ie that doesn't involve looking in the trans?
Thanks
Paul

 

If you have 12 volts to the selinoid. You can check the selinoid it's self with an ohm meter. You would have to look at the manual for the exact value, but I can tell you if it reads anything other than shorted or open it's good.

In the past what has always failed is the lockup clutch. If you have a low stall converter it's not really a big deal to drive around without it. I drove around with a 3800 stall with no lockup for 3-4 months until I started feeling sorry for the tranny because of the massive heat I was generating.


[Modified by gkull, 11:16 AM 8/30/2001]

 

gkull,
Thanks for the help. I'll check that out. Funny you should mention the extra heat, the temp was running at about 220, when its normally about 190 - 200, and the rad sprang a leak :rolleyes: The rad was obviously not in the best of health but that extra heat probably just pushed it a bit far. These things always snowball!

 

Maybe the ECM isn't going into closed loop, in open loop the lockup won't work!
Check the coolant temp sender!

Marck

 

Oops, this is really embarrassing :bb
I had a bad oil leak from the valve covers (all the screws were loose, I'm finding a lot of loose things at the moment), so the engine was covered in oil underneath. The trans oil level hasn't moved in the 6 months I've had it - until now. I have low trans oil, about 1/4" below the 2 dimples on the dip stick when cold, so would I be right in thinking this would be the lockup problem?
Now I've just got to find where the leak has sprung from :rolleyes:
Thanks for the tip on the coolent temp sender. I'm not convinced that the car runs in closed loop as I can't get a varying dwell from the M/C solenoid. I just put it down to my dwell meter, as the engine runs well & I don't get a check engine, apart from the odd brief flash just after it comes off choke.

 

Ignore the above comment. Still doesn't lockup with the oil level correct. I've followed the diagnostic tests through & have got to the point where it is either the solenoid connector (I was testing the harness from the upper connector) or the solenoid.
Has anybody ever had the solenoid fail? Do they usually "burn out" or could it just be sticking?
Paul

 

Have fun Paul !...As you know, I never did get to the bottom of mine ! :mad .Paul.

 

Well I've got to the bottom (literally), lying under the car in the dark, just after a cloudburst, with a 500W halogen lamp for light (look round & get blinded for 5 mins + the burning of various body parts on it). Couldn't get the solenoid connector off due to it being covered in oil/grease & having wet hands, as well as the trans feeling like it was at the surface temperature of the sun :mad Water, trans fluid & oil makes for a strange tasting cocktail, shame I didn't have the umbrella :crazy:
So I did the tests from the connector at the top of the engine (so much easier, why didn't I think of that before?). I'm getting a 12v supply from the harness OK. Connected test lamp between TCC diag test connector & earth. Didn't come on at 25mph, brake had no effect, but it glowed very dimly at 60mph (it was only a 2watt bulb)? The manual didn't mention that result!! This is not fun, it is far from fun, no fun at all, but thanks for the thought!! I'll have another go tonight (& it has just started raining, more fun on the way!). If I find what it is I'll let you know (unless I get drowned while under the car), but don't hold your breath waiting Perhaps I could just give up & fit some huge back wheels to bring the gearing up again - I really like the Funny car look :lol: