Mystery switch installation

[BRI7070]

Well, I tried several different ways to search for the Mystery switch installation for converter lockup and I did not find what I was looking for. Here are some simple questions. I think



1. How is the Mystery switch installed?



2. What is the purpose of the Mystery switch?



3. When should you use or not use the switch?



4. What are the draw backs?



Thanks

Brian Arnold

 

[Snow man]

Welcome Brian, ill try to do the best i can,I had a mystery switch in my 96,but not in the 2000.



1. The switch is installed by tapping the ground wire that completes the circuit and energizes the lockup clutch in the torque convertor. You add a jumper wire in the relay box to keep the positive side fed at all times with power,this ensures it stays locked as long as the switch is on.



2. The purpose can be for better acceleration with a stock TC,especially in OD,or enginebraking with or without an engine brake,it helps slow you down.



3. You should not use a switch at all,in most cases you will do more damage than good with a mystery switch,the true fix is an aftermarket TC from a reputable company,this is the permanent fix. If your using it for engine braking,it should be hooked to a controller,I know DTT,and BD both make them,Im sure there are others.



4. Drawbacks to mystery switch,are they shorten transmission life,especially the TC. They also prevent proper downshifting of the transmission while engaged. If you forget its on,and come to a stop,you will literally stall the truck,much like stopping with a manula transmission without pushing in the clutch,the switch tends to be used as a way to get more power tothe ground,which it wasnt built to do at high pwoer levels,or low rpms,this ttends to slip the TC clutch,and load the transmission pan with filings,I know i did it myself.

 

[Joe G.]

Brian,



You need to create a signature so we know what kind of beast you are herding around. The instructions on how to wire the switch are on the http://www.tstproducts.com web site. How you do it depends on the year of the truck. I think their instructions are how to wire it with a single throw single pole switch. It's preferable to use a double throw single pole switch so you can force the TCC to be unlocked if you want.



Snow man has the drawbacks outlined well. DO NOT use it for excelleration! Low RPM and high torque are hell on the TCC. The real purpose of the switch is so that an exhaust brake will work with your auto trans. Also you don't want it on when the trans upshifts because it defeats the cushion provided by the torque converter fluid coupling. Hard on parts. If you upgrade your engine's power then you want to be able to force the TCC to be unlocked for hard excelleration or pulling.



Instead of the mystery switch you should get DTT's Smart Controller.



PM me if you want to discuss this anymore.