Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) torque converter won't unlock

[MRoyer]

I've owned my truck for about 6 weeks and it worked great until today. Today I used it to pull a powerstroke out of the mud& snow , (I had to get on it pretty hard to pull him out). Anyway after I got him out and started down the road my truck started shifting really hard, and when I come to a stop sign with the transmission in gear it almost kills it! I have no idea what could have happend but I'm worried that it could be expensive. Anyone have any ideas or know of somthings I can check for without taking it to a mechanic??

Thanks

 

[tp0d]

First, Welcome to TDR-Land...



Sorry to hear you're having problems. . Hmm first thing it could possibly be, and easiest... . do you know if the previous owner installed a switch that locks converter (called a mystery switch). You might have bumped that into the 'on' position.



Other than that, what gear did you use to pull him out? 4x4 low? or 4x4 high? (prolly not 2wd). If you strained your transfer case while pulling, you may have damaged something internally. . I dont have enough knowledge to tell you what to look for, except parking on a flat surface, and removing the inspection plug. Check the oil for dirt or particles, it should be clear red ATF. Otherwise, you could have bound something up in the transmission, causing this problem (mucho dinero). . Gotta watch how hard you yank on a stock transmission.



Mebe someone else will chime in with things to check.





Good luck



-jerry

 

[Jschafer]

If I leave my mystery switch engaged the truck will stall at stop sign and will shutter real violent just before I stop. The switch works off of ground so if you have the switch and the wires have come off it could lock the converter.

 

[MRoyer]

Thanks for the replys! I checked for a "mystery switch", and I don't think I have one. Guess I'll try changing my transmission,and transfer case fluid and see if see if I can find anything wrong with either of those

 

[Howard Durand]

There is a three wire cable from the pcm to the transmission that carries 12 volts dc and the control wires for overdrive and TC lockup. You have to hunt for where it plugs into the transmission. It breaks out of the middle of the main wiring harness that runs across the firewall. It feeds over the top of the bellhousing to the transmission. When you find it, unplug it and then drive the truck. If the TC is still locked the problem is in the transmission. If not you probably have a short in the cable somewhere or, possibly, a problem with the PCM.

Don't unplug the 2 wire cable that is easy to find. It is the interlock that prevents starting in any gear but park or neutral.

 

[Howard Durand]

I would guess that something happened while you were towing the other rig out of the mud and snow. Is there a possibility that the shift linkage between shift lever and transmission got bent or the control cable got knocked out of adjustment? Check with a good transmission man and find out what effect that might have.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Try what Howard suggested. How quickly does it go into lockup when you put it in drive at a dead stop?

Then drop the pan to see how much debris is in there, too.

 

[ProMac1K]

TV cable in need of adjustment?

 

[MRoyer]

I pulled the 3 wire plug like Howard said,and it is still locked up. I haven't had time to check it out any further,,maybe get to it next week. In the mean time I'm not driving it. I'll let you know what I find.

 

[Fred Swanson]

Drop the pan then. You more than likely have debris stuck in the VB. The pan will give the first clue.