Torque Converter Problem?
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Junior User
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Torque Converter Problem?
Yesterday while towing a small trailer my rpms in OD started jumping up and down around 200 RPM at around 60-65 MPH. It felt like a small downshift, but it was in OD the whole time. If I eased off the throttle it seemed to settle down. The OD light wasn't flashing.
The truck has an BD torque converter with around 40K on it that the previous owner put in. I have a trans temp gauge that I always keep a close eye on. Nothing out of the ordinary there (around 160 degrees). The truck seems to shift like it always has.
I drove around 100 miles today with absolutely no issues and was beginning to think it had something to do with the trailer from the day before, but then as soon as my wife asked me if the problem was gone it started happening again.
I do have an Autoengineuity scanner. Does the PCM store any TC related codes?
Thanks guys!
The truck has an BD torque converter with around 40K on it that the previous owner put in. I have a trans temp gauge that I always keep a close eye on. Nothing out of the ordinary there (around 160 degrees). The truck seems to shift like it always has.
I drove around 100 miles today with absolutely no issues and was beginning to think it had something to do with the trailer from the day before, but then as soon as my wife asked me if the problem was gone it started happening again.
I do have an Autoengineuity scanner. Does the PCM store any TC related codes?
Thanks guys!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
Definately check for codes. That will help out greatly with troubleshooting.
I've had a similar issue and it generally comes back as a VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) issue. P0500 IIRC.
Just for fun, disconnect the VSS sensor on the rear differential, clean the connectors with electrical cleaner and let them dry completely. Unbolt and remove the VSS. Wipe it clean. DO NOT USE ANY CLEANER / SOLVENTS TO DO THIS. Just wipe it off. Reinstall and reconnect using dielectric grease or vaseline.
If that doesn't fix it, it's a cheap item to replace and well worth having a spare on-hand just in case.
BTW...Welcome to the site.
I've had a similar issue and it generally comes back as a VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensor) issue. P0500 IIRC.
Just for fun, disconnect the VSS sensor on the rear differential, clean the connectors with electrical cleaner and let them dry completely. Unbolt and remove the VSS. Wipe it clean. DO NOT USE ANY CLEANER / SOLVENTS TO DO THIS. Just wipe it off. Reinstall and reconnect using dielectric grease or vaseline.
If that doesn't fix it, it's a cheap item to replace and well worth having a spare on-hand just in case.
BTW...Welcome to the site.
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Thanks Mooseman, I'll put a new VSS in and see what happens.
I did pull codes this morning and there were none. I drove it 250 miles home today and when I was going down a pass, I got a check engine light for about 2 seconds. Truck seemed to be running great, though. However, when I hit traffic in Seattle I had about 20 minutes of stop and go on the freeway and it slammed very hard into 2nd and 3rd gears constantly.
I stopped at a buddy's house for about 30 minutes and when I started the truck and drove a few miles in traffic the tranny shifted just fine, smooth as ever.
When I got home I pulled the codes again and this time got a P0221, which is a TPS code. I imagine this is what the check engine light was about earlier in the day and I have no idea if it's related to the hard shifting I experienced on the freeway.
Not sure what to make of this problem since it seems to be intermittent, the tranny never gets hot, and the symptoms aren't consistent.
Thanks once again for the help.
I did pull codes this morning and there were none. I drove it 250 miles home today and when I was going down a pass, I got a check engine light for about 2 seconds. Truck seemed to be running great, though. However, when I hit traffic in Seattle I had about 20 minutes of stop and go on the freeway and it slammed very hard into 2nd and 3rd gears constantly.
I stopped at a buddy's house for about 30 minutes and when I started the truck and drove a few miles in traffic the tranny shifted just fine, smooth as ever.
When I got home I pulled the codes again and this time got a P0221, which is a TPS code. I imagine this is what the check engine light was about earlier in the day and I have no idea if it's related to the hard shifting I experienced on the freeway.
Not sure what to make of this problem since it seems to be intermittent, the tranny never gets hot, and the symptoms aren't consistent.
Thanks once again for the help.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
From what little I understand about the TPS, if it can't be readjusted, you'll most likely need the entire pedal assembly. I don't think the TPS can be replaced individually.
In fact, with the phantom issues I'm having, I should probably check my TPS, too.
In fact, with the phantom issues I'm having, I should probably check my TPS, too.
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You know, I just saw in another post that a guy had some intermittent tranny problems and it ended up being water leaking through the cowling onto the PCM. When this started happening to me it was raining pretty hard and the next day when it was raining even harder I noticed water dripping on my floor mat right around the brake pedal while I was on the highway. I guess I would be lucky if that is what my problem might be, but I'll investigate further. There's lots of stuff in there that probably doesn't like being wet.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
I saw the same thread. I took a quick look today at lunch, but I work in an office so I didn't have my "fun" clothes on. My floor mat near the side was dry, but I don't bend so well with the hardware in my back. I'll hafta take a look this weekend if it isn't raining.
My problem happens when it's wet or dry, but I have noticed it happening more often when it's raining. I'm not seeing any streaking on the firewall in the engine compartment, but I'll dig deeper with the "fun" clothes on.
I'm going to clean the VSS, too.
Good luck.
My problem happens when it's wet or dry, but I have noticed it happening more often when it's raining. I'm not seeing any streaking on the firewall in the engine compartment, but I'll dig deeper with the "fun" clothes on.
I'm going to clean the VSS, too.
Good luck.
