when should torque converter lock up?

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Jul 6, 2011 | 09:37 PM

mackdog

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From: Pass Christian Mississipi

when should torque converter lock up?

Have a 2000 ranger, with the 3.0 v6, 4x4 and an automatic transmission. It is the 44r4e I believe. My question is, when is the torque converter supposed to lock up? Is it at a certain speed? I drive up and down alot of hills everyday, and the torque converter dosen't seem to be locking up going down the hills. I have to ride the brakes all the time. However I usually dont go over about 30mph going down the hills...I think there is a solenoid that actuates the lock up. I need to find the solenoid if that is the case.

Jul 7, 2011 | 03:50 PM

the Mad Modder

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Usually torque converters lock up somewhere around 45mph. Also it will automatically unlock when you touch the brake. I don't think you have a problem.

Jul 8, 2011 | 02:10 AM

mackdog

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From: Pass Christian Mississipi

Is it possible to install a switch where I could manually lock up the torque converter? To help with breaking down hill.

Jul 8, 2011 | 03:56 PM

the Mad Modder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mackdog

Is it possible to install a switch where I could manually lock up the torque converter? To help with breaking down hill.

I suppose it is possible to force lockup with a switch since the lockup is controlled by a solenoid. I would not recommend it, though, because it would wear out the lockup clutch faster and if you ever forgot about it being on or had to stop suddenly(like if an animal ran in front of you), the engine would stall.

Jul 11, 2011 | 06:11 PM

mackdog

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From: Pass Christian Mississipi

Another thing that I noticed a while back is that when going down a hill, if I manually shift it down from drive into 2 or 1, there is still nothing holding the engine back. Its like the valve body is not shifting the transmission down out of drive, even though I have the column shifter in 2 or 1...do you guys know if this is an internal problem, or could this be electronic.

Thanks.

Jul 12, 2011 | 07:17 AM

tomw

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From: suburban atlanta

You might want to check the 2 and 1 position downshifting. The transmission is supposed to downshift if it is below specific speeds. As you coast slower and slower, the transmission will downshift again. So, if you put it in 1 going 50, it should downshift to 2nd gear, and rev the engine a lot. If you keep it in 1, and let the truck slow down more, it should shift into 1st gear, around 20 something, and then stay in 1st gear to a stop or slow speed as provided by engine idle.
If you have a D position, or an O/D lockout, you will get more engine braking going down a hill. In O/D, it will free-wheel to a degree, and unless you put it into manual 1 or low, it will 'freewheel' if you take your foot off the gas while accelerating from a stop, as a sprag clutch will let it 'coast' freely, while band, in '1' , will provide engine braking.
tom

Jul 13, 2011 | 07:09 AM

pawpaw

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From: SW Va

When your going down hill, try pushing the OD unlock button on the end of the shift lever & the OD Off lamp on the dash should come on. That'll provide some engine braking, down shifting to 2nd will provide some more & so on as tomw posted.

If you find you don't have Any engine braking in 1st gear, look to a blown valve body gasket & there is a long running discussion with pictures on how to replace it, in the "Tech Info" thread atop this forums thread listing page.

More thoughts for consideration, let us know how it goes.