Converter lock-up in third gear?

[Challenger-II]

OK... ... . Through the advice of most on this forum, I have been turning off OD while driving under speeds of 50-55 mph. Dont want to lug in fourth gear locked up at low RPM's (45mph). This keeps me in 3rd gear and raises my RPM's so that I have increased line pressure. This helps prevent converter slippage while accelerating in lock-up while running an EZ.



My question is..... Why does my trans stay in 3rd gear lock-up at 25-30 mph?? If I allow my speed to drop down to 25-28 mph, I stay locked up unless I really push the pedal and then it will drop out and down. If I am driving 28 mph in locked up in 3rd, my RPM's are really low. Is this normal or do I have a problem??



Truck is a '99

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Sounds like it's working fine to me, there are some on here that know more than I do but I look at it like in 3rd the gear ratio is so different (lower) and if you get down on the throttle more than 1/3 of the way it kicks the lockup out. I used an unlock switch for the converter and use it like 5th gear, but lately I've been using O/D out switch the same way cause when you select O/D it takes a bit to lockup and works like a 5 speed auto, I absolutely hate it when the converter locks up early! I like to have a regular converter the use lockup like a 5th gear, but that is my preference.



Jim

 

[LSMITH]

Challenger, my 99 does the exact same thing. I can drive all day at 25 MPH locked up in Drive if I want to, that is 1000 RPM for me. It is annoying but it is the way the sytem was designed.

 

[chuck3]

Mine does that too, just take your foot off the pedal and back on this will disengage the lockup.

 

[Challenger-II]

Originally posted by chuck3

Mine does that too, just take your foot off the pedal and back on this will disengage the lockup.

Chuck3... . Yes, I can kick it out of lockup by taking my foot off the pedal and putting it back on but... . it goes right back into lockup unless I really accelerate.



I still am not use to driving around with the OD off while under 55mph. Seems like I am overworking things!! I quess that is better than lugging it

 

[chuck3]

I felt and still feel the same way, its very hard to get use to the higher RPM's. But it gets easier the longer you do it, and it is better on the trans.

 

[Sky]

I get the same thing even with the DTT pulling my trailor up hills at 30mph sometimes it locks up and lugs and its annoying. Sometimes it does it other times it keeps the rpms up.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Revised

Tonight I pulled a trailer for the first time, alright go ahead an laugh. I used O/D out allot and ran it out in 3rd with the converter unlocked to 2500 the selected O/D backed off and let it shift like a 5 speed, ran it to highway speed then foot switched it to locked. I like using it this way and if I pulled a trailer that's the way I would do it. That PCM is a piece of crap and I will get a smart controller to do it for me in the future.



Jim

 

[Reb.B]

not sure if there is a simpler way, but there are two solenoids in the transmission, one for overdrive and the other for lock-up. If the solenoid is sticky it will cause this kind of problem. But if this is normal and u want to change when u want the lock-up on, u can find the wire going to the correct solenoid, and put a switch between it. Need to get a dodge book and ask a transmission shop to make sure. The dodge book points out the correct solenoids and wire.

 

[Mactruck]

Challenger II,

Because the third gear is a direct drive (ratio of 1). You shouldn't have a problem. The engine has enought torque to pull you up out of 1400 - 1500 rpm easily. When your in OD, Your running a . 69 ratio. This causes alot of stress on the transmission trying to bring it up from the low RPM's.

Direct drive (3rd gear Lock up) does feel better bringing the RPM's up right?

 

[Challenger-II]

Originally posted by Mactruck

Challenger II,

Because the third gear is a direct drive (ratio of 1). You shouldn't have a problem. The engine has enought torque to pull you up out of 1400 - 1500 rpm easily. When your in OD, Your running a . 69 ratio. This causes alot of stress on the transmission trying to bring it up from the low RPM's.

Direct drive (3rd gear Lock up) does feel better bringing the RPM's up right?

Oh Yeah... it feels better



Just that it seems strange being in lockup at 25mph and 1100 rpm's

 

[D White]

I was forever getting use to running with higher rpm's also. Now anything under 2 grand sounds sick. I have a windy 6 mile stretch of brook rd that I travel daily. Can't do over 35 or 40 tops with a lot of letting off the gas for corners. I pull it down in 2nd and wind it up to 2500 rpm the whole way. If I try it in 3rd the TC unlocks every time I let up, locking and unlocking all 6 miles. In you guys opinion, is pulling it into 2nd what I should be doing? My first auto in a CTD and want to do the right thing for the transmission.

Thanks,

Doug

 

[chuck3]

Doug, thats fine, I would have trouble doing that myself. I would be in 3rd but I have the DTT trans. mods so you can't tell much difference between lock and unlock.