94 F250 7.3 N/A E4OD
Last week I noticed that when the trans would shift into OD and then the torque converter would lock, I would get a momentary shudder. Well, it has progressed to doing it every time the torque converter locks now. My local transmission shop said to try tapping the brake pedal to send a signal to unlock the torque converter while in a pull. Each time I tap the pedal, it unlocks and stops shuddering but immediately locks and starts shuddering again until I ease off of the throttle. I know it won't last long like this.
With the holidays and poor economy, things are sort of tight right now. In your opinion, can I get by with replacing the converter now and maybe trying for a rebuild later? Where can I source a good converter for this trans?
Any help is appreciated, Jeff

 

That's not so different than the issues my truck has. I'd try to figure out what electronics are sending & or receiving juice when you tap the pedal?

 

Have you tried to get the code(s) from the trans........ autozone.AP stores should have a (free use) code reader OBD1.

 

No codes stored. Tapping the brake pedal momentarily lights the brake lights which unlocks the torque converter on computer controlled transmissions. The shop also said the shudder could be from the OD band, but it happens with the OD turned off also.
Thanks, Jeff

 

I would grant a cautious "yes" as the short answer.

It sounds to me like the TC lockup clutch could be cracked. If thats what actually happened, then replacing the TC is all thats needed. Is there anything else that the transmission is doing? I know that ford dealers tend to have pretty good rates for reman transmissions so it might be worth calling to see what they would want for an OEM torque converter. Otherwise there is also this place:

TRANS SPECIALTIES : FORD E4OD/4R100 TORQUE CONVERTER Remanufactured and rebuilt automatic transmissions, transmission parts and torque converters

Take PLC's advice and get the PCM scanned before replacing anything though.

We actually had a transmission specialist that was here once that ran a shop specifically for rebuilding torque converters and he seemed to really know his stuff. Does anyone remember his name?

 

The stock TC are pretty weak. It would be a good idea to install a new TC before it comes apart and take out the whole tranny. I went with a Racex-X triple disk.

 

Why couldn't you find the wires that control lockup and run them through a "on-off-on" switch where it could either be on auto, off, or manually locked? I'm thinking about doing this to my better half's dodge. But I do agree on replacing the TC.

I hate autos, so I try to not buy them, or I'll convert to a standard.

 

I also have a triple disk TC and I'm very happy with it. Well worth the expense.

 

Sounds like a bad TC lockup clutch. How dose your trans shift otherwire? If its shifting softer than it used too you may have low line prsure causing a poor engagement of the lockup clutch.

 

The trans still shifts as it always did, just the shudder that started last week. I don't tow with this truck, but it does weigh between 9-10K with the service bed and contents. Would a stock converter hold up well under these conditions?

 

if it shudders all the time in lockup then the torque converter clutch is most likely bad
but you could have a sticking valve in the pump or the teflon ring on the pump stator is worn out and bypassing internally
a stock converter along with using a superior pump modification kit will work just fine the code 62 kit corrects what causes converter shudder to begin with plus it corrects a weak lube circuit that will prevent planetary melt down

 

The pump is at the front of the tranny isn't it? If you could pull the tranny and replace the torque convertor along with pulling the pump off the tranny and putting that kit in place, that might not cost too much.

 

Could you elaborate on this kit. If I pull the trans, I would like to try to prevent this from happening again in the near future.

 

it consists of dismantling the pump partially and drilling two holes and installing a cup plug
search the web for superior transmission and check their products

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.