Lock Up Torque Converter Question...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
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From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Lock Up Torque Converter Question...
I had a problem at the drag strip last weekend...I hope to have it diagnosed and fixed early next week...I do have one question, though:
It is my understanding that, on my 93 A4, my lock up TQ should NOT lock up at WOT...is this true?...btw, I am running a Vigilante 3200 stall....I do have a custom chip but only to set the A/F and fan temps...thanks...
It is my understanding that, on my 93 A4, my lock up TQ should NOT lock up at WOT...is this true?...btw, I am running a Vigilante 3200 stall....I do have a custom chip but only to set the A/F and fan temps...thanks...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
I'm quite sure it can. Pete K. is the A4 authority on here, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe he'll pipe up. Ski-dwn-it says it will and advocates a manual switch for the track, to lock it, "On". Since the trans cannot lock the converter in first gear, the TCC locks as soon as the trans hits second gear. He claims better ETs and MPH, locked up. You can rig a switch to manually lock it up or to prevent a lock up, and use it as you see fit. Otherwise, I'm sure the TCC lock up is in the chip.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
You can rig a switch to manually lock it up or to prevent a lock up, and use it as you see fit.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
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From: The Top of Utah
According to my FSM, there is a 4 wire plug near the trans. Terminal "A" is 12 volts to the lock up solenoid, from the ignition switch, through a switch on the brake pedal. The TCC unlocks when you hit the brakes. Terminal "D" of the plug is the ground wire headed back to the ECM, which grounds the circuit (#422) to lock the converter. If *I* were wiring this up, I would use a double throw, single pole switch. I would wire it so in one position the TCC would lock up as designed. In a second position the switch would ground circuit# 422 and force the lock up, and the third position, would prevent the grounding of ckt# 422, completely eliminating the possibility of lock up. That is precisely how I have my fan and one other circuit, to remain unnamed, wired. If causing lock up is the only concern, circuit# 422 is also wired to terminal "F" of the ALDL. I hope you realize, Brian, if this were anyone else, I'd have referred them to their FSM. 
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
That is precisely how I have my fan and one other circuit, to remain unnamed, wired. 
Unnamed huh?
I hope you realize, Brian, if this were anyone else, I'd have referred them to their FSM.
RACE ON!!!
Unnamed huh?I hope you realize, Brian, if this were anyone else, I'd have referred them to their FSM.
RACE ON!!!
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
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From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by CFI-EFI
I'm quite sure it can. Pete K. is the A4 authority on here, as far as I'm concerned. Maybe he'll pipe up. Ski-dwn-it says it will and advocates a manual switch for the track, to lock it, "On". Since the trans cannot lock the converter in first gear, the TCC locks as soon as the trans hits second gear. He claims better ETs and MPH, locked up. You can rig a switch to manually lock it up or to prevent a lock up, and use it as you see fit. Otherwise, I'm sure the TCC lock up is in the chip.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Thanks...if the stock computer setting will allow it to lock up at WOT, I'll see what the chip guy comes up with...it's just kinda weird that this never happened before the higher stall converter went in the car...I'll go to a switch if I have to...
p.s. I just re-read your original response, EFI...it jogged my memory of something...when I had the Vigilante installed last fall it wouldn't lock up on the test drives...we finally figured out it was the brake switch was not making good contact...they fabbed a bracket and the lock up worked and released perfectly...this is at part throttle though...hmmmm...food for thought, except for the fact that it locks up around the 1000' mark...
Last edited by Fuzzy Dice; Feb 15, 2006 at 10:03 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
The lock and unlock % are adjustable in the CATS programming. I though that it is unlocked at full throttle period on a vette but I could be wrong. This should be a simple question for your tuner or maybe post in the tuning section.
Oh, one other thing, I have a yank 3000 stall and I was advised not to lock the converter. I honestly dont know if they were concerned about damage to the clutch or what.
As far as testing it locked as discribed above, 2nd gear and on locked regardless of speed or throttle position, you can jump the TC terminal at the ALDL port. I think it was term. A and F but verify that first.
Oh, one other thing, I have a yank 3000 stall and I was advised not to lock the converter. I honestly dont know if they were concerned about damage to the clutch or what.
As far as testing it locked as discribed above, 2nd gear and on locked regardless of speed or throttle position, you can jump the TC terminal at the ALDL port. I think it was term. A and F but verify that first.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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I do not understand completely the computer side of auto transmissions. I do know that the solenoid and all of the temp and pressure switches are dependant of a ground trigger from the ecm. The solenoid is hot when the ignition is in the run position. I have wired them to go into lock up in either 3rd or 4th gear regardless of throttle position. Street rod guys like this. No computer needed.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 19,653
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From: Melbourne Florida
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Thanks everyone...all I want is for the lock up to stay as is at part throttle where it locks at 48-49 mph...at the drag strip I expected it to act like it alwyas has...no lock up at WOT...I don't know why it started locking up at 1000' with the higher stall converter...
I hope to have an answer early next week and I will post it...
I hope to have an answer early next week and I will post it...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
I have my chip lock mine up at 110MPH @ WOT. One thing you should watch is if it's a single disc lock up. I smoked a Protourqe single disc. They said that it to much for a single disc to take at WOT. I have a 5 Disc PI convertor now and it has been taking a beating and holds right in there..
