I know another mystery switch question!

[MxerChris]

What would happen if I cut the wire for the lock up and put in a push button switch? I guess what I'm wondering is if I do this #1 when the switch is made it should be as stock right? #2 when the switch is open will the converter be unlocked or locked? What I'm after is when I'm towing and come to a hill and the RPM's get to low I would like to be able to unlock the converter with out dropping out of OD, motor on over the hill then lock the converter back. I don't have an engine brake or do want to lock the converter for harder acceleration, I just want to keep my RPM's in that sweet spot when towing, I guess I'm more concerned about unlocking it instead of locking it, thanks, Chris... ... .....

 

[Snow man]

You can put an unlock switch in real easy,you just need to run a loop of the actual lockup wire into the cab,cut the lockup wire,and extend both ends to where you want the switch,thru an on off type switch,put the switch in series with the lockup wire just like you said.

 

[Steve Roseman]

racingfanscjww

When the switch is open, the converter will be unlocked.

 

[RedRamer]

Has anyone tried this trick?

Sounds like it could help a lot here too cause those hills when pulling a trailer can sure get the transmission confused!

 

[Pthomas]

just keep an eye on the trans fluid temp!

UNLOCKED THE TRANS FLUID TEMP WILL RISE!

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Unlock switch

I have one in the form of a dimmer switch in the floor, you can get one at any auto parts store! I call it the hammer switch, unlock it and hammer away... ... remember it's your converter either save it or tear it up! Just picture $$$$$$ signs works for me.



Jim

 

[Strick-9]

I installed an unlock switch last year just as you described. I rarely lock my TC anymore. I pull trailers daily for work and the only time I need to lock the converter for temperature reasons is when the tandem dually flatbed is loaded down with something.



Although, I don't think it would work well with a stock converter. If the torque converter has poor fluid coupling, the power lost in the converter is converted into heat. My TC is tight enough to get away with unlocked driving with the factory cooling system, but I would be skiddish of trying this with a stock converter.



My factory PCM would rarely come out of lockup, even at low rpm. When I started increasing the HP of my truck that factory programming became downright abusive to my transmission. That's why I needed the unlock button.



-Chris

 

[MxerChris]

well I got the switch yesterday and will probably put it in this afternoon, my converter seems to lock up just fine so hopefully I will not have any problems. I am going to start a new thread about a different problem in the transmission, at low rpm's and under light acceleration the shifts from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd seem to slightly go into nuetral between shifts, do you think a transbutty would help this?

 

[Steve Roseman]

Have you tried adjusting the TV cable? This will affect your shift points and firmness.

 

[MxerChris]

no I have'nt checked that, it could be out of adjustment it seems to shift to soon, any suggestions on how to adjust it?

 

[DR]

If you put in a switch, use a 3 way. Then you'll have locked, unlocked and auto. I found a 3 way switch with indicator lights at my local Boat US that fits in the dash next to the OD switch. I have it set to glow red when it's in locked or auto mode. If my wife drives the truck, she knows to make sure that the switch is not glowing red (it glows yellow when unlocked). The switch also has green and clear indicator light lenses available.



Also, I was on the verge of installing the Transbutty kit in my trans. But, after several post here, and conversations with Dunrite and DTT I decided not to. The Transbutty is a good shift kit, but my trans wasn't in that bad a shape and the Transbutty would probably have blown the lipseal. The seals are included in the kit but, require the trans to be removed to install. And I decided if I was going to remove the trans, I would go with the complete DTT package. For now I service the trans, turned up the line pressure and reset thte shift points.

 

[RedRamer]

question on this mystery switch.

I was looking at the BD pressurelock system. Maybe something like it should be used with the switch. The auto transmission has low TCC pressures when at low pedal position.

Isn't locking in 2nd asking for trouble when at low TCC pressure and hi torque which is where we're at when in low speed 2nd?

comments appreicated

 

[Steve Roseman]

Unless you have a modified valve body, you can't lock TCC in 2nd. You are correct about pressures being low with light throttle. The aftermarket suppliers seem to have this worked out for exhaust brakes. I seldom use the lock function of my switch unless it's to keep from unlocking on the interstate when I tap the brake to shut down cruise control.

 

[Snow man]

Chris,your 2nd gear band may be out of adjustment,I d also check the trand fluid level,in N of course first. You can raise the low speed shift points,by adjusting the kickdown stop screw ,the instructions are on DTT's website,id turn up the line pressure 2 turns while your in there,this shoud raise shift points slightly too. If you put the unlock switch in and dont have a trans temp guage,dont run it out of lockup for more than a minute or 2 at a time,the stock TC is so loose it generates a lot of heat out of lockup,and will overheat after a while 'especially pulling hills out of lockup towing. if you cant pull them in OD locked,drop to drive,wait for it ti lock,and pull in hill in drive locked up,at higher RPM's.

 

[MxerChris]

I adjusted the TV cable last night it seemed to have about 1/4" to much slack, now it shifts where I think it should and its solid no hesitation between gears. I hope that when I install the switch and am using it not to ever have it unlocked more than 30 seconds or so, going to the Bristol race next week and the hills between Birmingham and Bristol are what I'm up against, this will be my 6th trip up there pulling a camper and my 2nd with this truck, for the most part I'm able to motor on over most hills but there are a few that it would be nice to get the RPM's up some without shifting out of OD, and I don't think I will have to have it unlocked for very long to get over them. And our icing on the cake for this race is that Hut Stricklin (#23 Hills Bros. Dodge) is a friend of mine and has us registered with Nascar for single event license (pit passes. )

 

[mcandies]

Snowman, exactly where on the DTT site can these instructions be found? I have looked at there site and can't find it anywhere.





Chris,your 2nd gear band may be out of adjustment,... . You can raise the low speed shift points,by adjusting the kickdown stop screw ,the instructions are on DTT's website, id turn.....