Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) '01 w/ ATS tran's. TC stuck locked up?

[Beach]

I left for work the other day and the first stop I came to was like trying to stop a manual without pushing in the clutch. I came to a chugging stop stalling the engine. I had to put it in neutral and lightlly neutral drop it to get rolling and get turned around, shifting to neutral at stop's and rolling stop sign's to get back home. I called ATS and they instructed me to pull the wire harness off the driverside of the tran's to eliminate possible causes. Doing this will give me reverse and 3rd. I am confused though as to what this is going to tell me. What would cause my torque converter to lock up and not release. It was fine the night before, and I rarely pull a trailer or "beat" on this truck. I drive around with my TST on "0", 98% of the time! Could someone give me some possible issues that might be going on here. I can't afford this now, and I'm trying to sell this truck. I don't want to screw anyone over who might buy it. Thank's.

 

[Beach]

I forgot to mention that after breaking the input shaft 2 year's ago, I upgraded to the 5 star TC. Also, my APPS, "I think", has been acting up a little lately, as far as rpm's surging while cruising. Don't know if this could be related!? Thank's again.

 

[DCreed]

IIRC, removing the "trans" relay in the underhood fuse block should disable TC lock if it is an electrical problem. It may be just a stuck solenoid/relay. HTH and good luck!

 

[Beach]

I checked fuses and switched relay's around and it still lock's instantly. I unplugged the wire harness on the driverside of the tran's, giving me reverse and 3rd. Look's like it might be a mechanical issue. It started to roll forward in 3rd and locked up within 2 second's. I sure hope ATS cover's this. The TC is maybe 1 1/2 year's old. This really suck's. I don't have the money or time to be dealing with this now. #@$%! What would cause a TC to all of a sudden do this after normal driving. I wanna punch something right now!!

 

[DCreed]

I checked fuses and switched relay's around and it still lock's instantly. I unplugged the wire harness on the driverside of the tran's, giving me reverse and 3rd. Look's like it might be a mechanical issue. It started to roll forward in 3rd and locked up within 2 second's. I sure hope ATS cover's this. The TC is maybe 1 1/2 year's old. This really suck's. I don't have the money or time to be dealing with this now. #@$%! What would cause a TC to all of a sudden do this after normal driving. I wanna punch something right now!!

try REMOVING the relay, dont put it back.

 

[Beach]

What will that tell me? If it locked with a different relay, doesn't that eliminate that as the issue. I'm not trying to be difficult, just confused with removing it. I will try it. Will I be able to drive down the road with out the relay in, as a test drive only.

 

[DCreed]

What will that tell me? If it locked with a different relay, doesn't that eliminate that as the issue. I'm not trying to be difficult, just confused with removing it. I will try it. Will I be able to drive down the road with out the relay in, as a test drive only.

If the trans is locked without a relay the problem is INSIDE the trans, otherwise the truck/PCM may have issues. Just one step in solving the problem.

 

[Beach]

I got ya... . thank's!

 

[Beach]

Well... look's like the issue is in the tran's. Pulled the relay and still locked up. I guess I have a tran's removal project now. Just what I need now! 5year 500,000 mile warranty better hold up like ATS say's!

 

[Beach]

I haven't had time to mess with this issue for a while, but I need to now! Reverse is normal, even with relay's removed or wire harness. Also, I had taken it for a drive about a week ago, and it seemed to be normal for a block or so, then it locked up again and I had to manually shift back home. Could this be a valve body issue? Maybe something sticking? I need to get this thing fixed because it's got to get sold so I can buy a newer one! Thank's.

 

[TFarrell]

i have a 98 24valve and i'm having the same exact problem. did you ever figure out what it was?