Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Erratic TC fix- Suncoast or ATS method?

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

One of the fixes for erratic TC locking/unlocking is adding a ground run to the ground wire of the APPS, but I see there are two ways to go about it. Which is preferred?

ATS you leave the APPS ground alone but solder a lead to it and run it to the battery ground. You also sever a lead between the PCM and ECM then run a new wire from the PCM side to Pin 3 wire of the APPS.

Sun Coast all you do is cut the ground to the APPS and run a lead for each end of the cut wire to the dashboard ground.

I'm leaning toward doing the ATS version, as well as adding BD's zener diode to see if it fixes the TC locking issue. Thoughts?

 

[Bill Stockard]

Check your grounds first including the battery cables. My neighbor fought this problem for over a year on his '99 CTD. His local mechanic did all the "fixes" without success. The problem would go away for a while and return. Finally, his mechanic who thought all along it was a grounding problem, cut off the old battery ground cable ends and found corrosion inside the insulation. He replaced the cable ends about 6 weeks ago and since then, no more torque converter unlock/lock up problem.



Bill

 

[mstreak1]

A fix that worked for me was the noise isolater that BD Diesel sells it's cheap, easy to install and works well.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Bill I totally agree on the grounds, I plan on doing that as well. Just want to have a couple "layers of protection" to minimize the finicky behavior even if one of the "fixes" becomes compromised. I'll probably do the ATS scheme as well as BD's zener diode (and cleaning up the ground connections)

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Another thing I was reading in the latest TDR issue last night that the ABS sensor is often the culprit for erratic lock/unlock. The easy way to rule it out is unplug it and go for a test drive.

 

[RCatalo]

I too had gone through this problem, The Torque would lock and unlock quickly around 45-50 mph, I tried several methods to correct the problem and each time i made a change the Torque would work fine for a few days then it would begin acting up, One reason for this is the PCM has the ability to learn, I finally did the Nardone repair, That resolved the problem for the last three years, Only drawback is the Torque and trans are slow to downshift, I just press the o/d button and adjust my driving acordingly, The BD noise isolator is a inexpensive fix which should correct your problem, I agree with the grounds as mentioned, Check and clean them all, I believe some of the problems are linked to a worn Alternator that generates some noise in the eletrical system which works on the PCM and changes the Torque lock up stratagey. The other problem could be a speed sensor mounted on the side of the trans, mine had a few metal flakes on it, I replaced it and the problem went away for several months, I later installed the Nardone Kit which solved the problem.

Regards Rich

 

[John - K5AWO]

Just install a DTT Noise Filter and be done with it.

 

[cerberusiam]

Just install a DTT Noise Filter and be done with it.

Thats just another patch, not a fix for the problem. It may work for some but not all.



The only way to fix the problem is remove the source of the noise, that would the charging system. Its also the easiest, everything else has proven to be only partially effective.

 

[Soot4Life]

It's this kind of misery that turns people off on one brand or another. Heaven knows the Cummins is why most of us bought our trucks. It's too bad Chrysler didn't properly design their systems. Were these problems the result of bean counters cutting costs or genuine engineering defects that made it into the final product? Do the 3rd gen's have similar chronic electronic gremlins and front ends that are prone to early wear? Whenever I get really PO'd with my Dodge I think about a friend that bought a 6. 0 Ford. That man had (and has) big problems.

 

[jaybo]

Try replacing the right side battery ground to fender. Bypass the grounding wire connector on the PCM ground, also located by the air cleaner. Run a direct soldered #10 from the ground wire behind the alternator to the right battery negative. There are at least two connectorized grounds near the right side battery that need to be soldered around. These connectors ARE NOT on the service manual schematic diagrams and were probably added in production to make the battery negative cable a replaceable item.

 

[RCatalo]

Hello Soot 4 Life, i agree i purchased my truck because of the Cummins engine, I have had three Dodge trucks in the last 15 years all had the Cummins engines, The third gens were changed a bit with regards to the PCM and the electical system and front ends.

Yea its all about the money, shove a great diesel engine in a good truck and lets see where the sales numbers go, lets build them as inexspenive as possible and see what happens, lets hope they get through the warranty period, life is good for Chrysler,

We all have seen some rather interesting issues and maybe some really PIA problems, but overall i love my truck and the Cummins engine, the horror storys of the competitors trucks reminds me of how good i have it with my Dodge.

Dont know if i can say that with this next round of emmission crap like DPF and Urea injection more wires and electronic stuff then the spaceshuttle got, The playing field may be leveled out now.

Time will tell,

Regards Rich

 

[ChrisOlson]

Good Afternoon

I am revisting this post and thread about TC lock and Unlock

TC lock/unlock



I did the Timbo APPS

then I did the suncoast trick

BUT

After 8000 miles Lock un lock came back As many of you have found out.

I have no problem with the TIMBO APPS Great Product Great Service.



MY next (TEMP?) fix was the noise suppressor from No bull Technical services.

I wired it into my Alt. stopped the LOCK UN LOCK right now and so far (40000 miles) it has not returned.



Very good product and very good customer service very easy install. I am very pleased.



I hope this helpes some of you.



Have a great day



Chris Olson

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hey Chris sorry I didn't get much time to talk to ya at the BOMB party last weekend, hope to see you again sometime.

 

[VolsFan]

I cured my truck and my dad's 99 by splicing the APPS wire and grounding it to the neg terminal on the battery. I have put about 30k on mine, and my dad has put atleast 75k on his since this fix and no lock/unlock issues

 

[drag racer]

Good Afternoon
I am revisting this post and thread about TC lock and Unlock
TC lock/unlock

I did the Timbo APPS
then I did the suncoast trick
BUT
After 8000 miles Lock un lock came back As many of you have found out.
I have no problem with the TIMBO APPS Great Product Great Service.

MY next (TEMP?) fix was the noise suppressor from No bull Technical services.
I wired it into my Alt. stopped the LOCK UN LOCK right now and so far (40000 miles) it has not returned.

Very good product and very good customer service very easy install. I am very pleased.

I hope this helpes some of you.

Have a great day

Chris Olson

Chris,

Do you have a link for the "TIMBO" and "No Bull" fixes?

 

[JCyrbok]

Just install a DTT Noise Filter and be done with it.

five years with the DTT filter and not a single problem. took all of 2 minutes to install.



J-

 

[ChrisOlson]

TIMBO web Page



Timbo APPS

717-577-1464



No Bull Technical services

217 370 7257

No Bull Technical Services



dont forget to do the Suncoast APPS deal as noted at the start of this thread.



Good Luck



Chris

 

[ChrisOlson]

Hello Vaughn



Thanks for inviting Me to the bombing party it was great.



when is the next one I am ready with parts this time.



I will be joining the NW bombers board soon



Chris

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Hello Vaughn



Thanks for inviting Me to the bombing party it was great.



when is the next one I am ready with parts this time.



I will be joining the NW bombers board soon



Chris

I'm glad you were able to make it Chris, will be watching for ya on NW Bombers