Mystery Switch..........

[CumminsPuller]

Where have you guys been installing your mystery switches? I am installing one next week and need to find a switch and a good place to mount it where it will not accidently get bumped.



Jason

 

[DKayser]

switch

On my 95, I put it wherre the fog light switch would have gone. Found a rocker switch at Radio Shack that fit the hole & looked at home there. About $4. Don.

 

[silverram03]

What's a mystery switch?

 

[CumminsPuller]

Originally posted by silverram03

What's a mystery switch?

Our torque converters do not lock up until third gear. Installing a simple toggle switch in the cockpit somewhere allows us to lock up the torque converter in second gear for those times when we need it such as starting on a steep grade pulling a heavy load and we are not able to gain enough speed to get to third gear. Staying in second creates great amount of heat if pulling load on a grade. I use that example because it has happened to me. Others may be able to explain it a bit better, but I think you get the idea.



Jason

 

[Cooker]

I don't think with a stock VB you will get second gear lockup even with a mystery switch.



You might want to do a search and do some reading about mystery switches. You need to use them carefully in order not to cause harm to your transmission.

 

[CumminsPuller]

Cooker, I am not sure, it is quite possible... ... ... ... Monday morning I am getting the full DTT so I am not worried about it. What is different about the VB's that determine wether you can lock it up or not?



Jason

 

[wsmalley]

Originally posted by CumminsPuller

Where have you guys been installing your mystery switches? I am installing one next week and need to find a switch and a good place to mount it where it will not accidently get bumped.



Jason

Go to my website ( www.picturetrail.com/nashirak ) and click on the My Truck link. The picture of my interior is all the way at the bottom. It's the red switch on the right side of my dash bezel right behind the shift selector. AutoZone sells similar switches but I got mine through a friend from Zex Aircraft Manufacturing, heavier duty cover and full size 1/4 inch connector tabs. The red LED comes on when the switch is on.

 

[Cooker]

Jason,

I am not sure what the difference is, but I am pretty certain 2nd gear lockup is possible with a stock VB.



I personally wouldn't mess with a mystery switch especially if you are getting a DTT transmission. You won't need it

 

[wsmalley]

Originally posted by silverram03

What's a mystery switch?

Since I am not sure how knowledgeable you are with Auto trannies, I will hit all the bases here. On an auto transmission the torque converter allows slippage until it gets to overdrive (or 3rd with O/D Off) where the lockup clutch engages and it then acts like a manual's clutch, transferring 100% power. The slippage is why an auto can stop in gear and not stall (obviously). Some of us take to installing a switch on our trucks to allow us to basically get rolling and flip the switch giving us lockup in all gears, for example drag racing. The stock valve body only allows lockup in 3rd and OD, so you would have to install an aftermarket VB that would allow lockup in all gears for the switch to be of any real benefit. Also good for low speed towing if you are going to be slowly going in traffic for a while in say 2nd gear.



The switch simply creates a ground for a certain wire in the PCM. The current then trips the lock-up solenoid and away you go.

 

[CumminsPuller]

WSMalley.........Cooker....

I spent 7 years working aircraft (Avionics/Navigation) and hav installed hundreds if not thousands of those switches. God if I had only saved one. So with the DTT transmission you do not think I will need one? I was stuck in West Virginia back in one of those little coal mine towns with 20K behind my truck and I could not climb out of the mountains. To steep couldn't get to third gear, and transmission temps rose very quickly. Had to be pulled out the rest of the way. You think once I have the DTT I will not have that problem?



Jason

 

[wsmalley]

I would still say do it. Even though the Valve Body will allow lockup in second, you will STILL need the switch to engage the lockup. Unless you want to pay ~$200 for the little add-on computer, the PCM stock does not trigger 2nd-lock on it's own. And with the DTT's tight fluid coupling, the temps are gonna climb quick.



Lot's of people will say you will mess up the transmission, but any BOMB not used carefully can mess up a truck. Just avoid shifting in lockup (turn off switch before shifting) and make DANG sure you don't try to stop in lock-up:{ Otherwise you will be completely fine using one in the low-speed tow application.

 

[amsoilman]

This is where I installed mine on my other 94' CTD. Purchased the switch from Radio Shack.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[CumminsPuller]

Wayne,



Is that it right below the turn signal lever?



Jason

 

[amsoilman]

Jason,

Yes, that is the switch, just below the turn signal lever.



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[2ndgen2500]

does anyone have the instructins on how to install the switch?

 

[snowracer69]

http://www.tstproducts.com/tranny_install.html

 

[Dennis Garrett]

Her'es where I put mine. (hope it shows up)

 

[2ndgen2500]

good pics guys that is really a cool way to do it. i will put mine in tomorrow!