Is the converter supposed to lock immediately when it shifts to overdrive? Mine locks immediately and will unlock when I tap the brake while still on the throttle. Just wondering. Everything related is stock.

 

Mine locks between 2 and 3rd gear with my PMT shift strategies. Sometimes almost with the 3rd gear shift. Unlocking with brake application is normal.

 

I knew it should unlock with the brake, I just wasn't sure if it should lock immediately when it shifts to OD.

 

With my DP tuning, mine holds the TC lock until the speed drops to 20-25 mph even with the brake applied.

 

Most of the time mine locks immediately when it hits OD. Under rare conditions, it won't, like when the tranny is too cold and it wants to slip the TC to generate heat for trans and engine.

 

OK. That's what I was wondering. I knew I could hear/see/feel it shift in other gears, and it threw me a little locking immediately in OD. Last time I had a Ford truck was a 95 Bronco and I don't remember anything about how it shifted or anything. Too long ago. Moved up from a 2004.5 Volvo S40 to my 2000 F350 . There are a few differences there.

 

No kidding? I thought they woulda been pretty similar except for maybe reliability

 

I tried TWICE just to make sure I was right, but you CAN NOT put 2 tons of mulch in a Volvo S40! You can pack it under the seats and get a little extra, but a scoop was all I could get in it.

 

The PCM strategy has EVERYTHING to do with how and when the torque converter clutch is applied.

Starting in the '01 model year, most strategies allowed the torque converter clutch to remain applied during brake application. Most all 99 and 00 trucks use strategies that cause the TCC to release upon application of the brake. In addition, most of the E99-early 2000 strategies would not cause the TCC to be applied in 3rd gear on acceleration and would shift to 4th and apply the TCC at the same time....at about 45 MPH...so you'd go from a screaming-high RPM to bogging down within a half of a second. Thankfully, Ford figured out that applying the TCC in 3rd at about 32-38 MPH really helped in that department when they implemented those strategies in later 2000.

 

Can't tow 15k+ with a Volvo either

 

Thanks Cleatus. That is EXACTLY what my truck does. Revs high and then bogs into OD. Is there any way to have the stealership flash the module to remedy that or is a tuner the only way?

 

Other than chipping an 00 can you get the PCM reflashed to get the newer TCC strategy? This may explain why some 99-00 owners seem to have more trans issues - TCC lockup & a shift at the same time can't be all that great for the trans & driveline

 

Yes, the dealership can reflash the PCM to what basically amounts to a PMT4 (no, you won't find that listed anywhere) and it will shift similar to a PMT1/2/3 which will allow the torque converter clutch to apply in 3rd gear.


Also, if you get a chip from any number of vendors, it will come with PMT1 programming (or PMT1-esque if you have a 50-state emissions truck or oddball PCM) so you don't have to worry about a dealer reflash.

 

Cody,

I was hoping you would chime in. Thought I noticed a difference between the XLE4 and the PMT1 without tunes. Now I know why. Thanks for the info.

 

Yeah, my PMT2 would stay locked when I braked.

However, a few years ago, I got a Diablo Predator programmer and all 4 tunes in it would cause the TC to unlock when I braked. Talked to Diablo about it and they said, "Its supposed too".

Figured if thats all they knew about my PMT2 programming, Adios Amigo.