Freezing the Slushbox. Torque Converter on-demand lockup switch.

[IsaacCarlson]

will hit 50 in 1st, unless it goes to 2nd when I hit it. Probably highway gears. How do I check?

[99LeCouch]

There's a list of 3-digit alphanumeric codes known as RPO codes listed on your spare tire cover. Check those, one of them will decode to tell you the gear ratios in the transmission.

Mine'll hit 50 in 1st also, but it's a different transmission. It does go like stink on the highway when needed to. That's unlike the other gears that fall flat on the highway.

[orange4boy]

Hey! I stopped getting email updates so I missed a bunch of great stuff.

RH77, Congratulations on your success. Welcome to the Manumatic fold. It's great to get rid of the slush, no?

After a while you get used to driving like with a manual except without a clutch. My FE gains have held up and all is well with the tranny.

The only caveat I would add is to unlock during hard deceleration which can be much stronger than acceleration. I unlock now during hard deceleration. I noticed some slip while downshifting.

[mechman600]

Wow...what a wicked aweseom thread. Good work, people!

I recently started the same thread for my 06 Matrix, obviously not searching hard enough before hand. It's pretty short so far.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...kup-12776.html

This week I hope to tie into the VSS & TPS signals (to see if I can get good inputs for my proposed TC lockup controller) and the TC lockup wiring (to see what the ECU is doing to get lockup) with my multimeter and go for some test drives.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by mechman600

Wow...what a wicked aweseom thread. Good work, people!

I recently started the same thread for my 06 Matrix, obviously not searching hard enough before hand. It's pretty short so far.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...kup-12776.html

This week I hope to tie into the VSS & TPS signals (to see if I can get good inputs for my proposed TC lockup controller) and the TC lockup wiring (to see what the ECU is doing to get lockup) with my multimeter and go for some test drives.

A simple advisory statement:

If your TCM locks up the solenoid with PWM, get a spare solenoid and test it to ensure whether or not it can handle ~12VDC constant. If it can, forget the PWM signal modification, and just set your system to turn on 12VDC to the solenoid.

In my experience, the PWM setup is only there for "smooth" engagement of the torque converter clutch, so it doesn't feel like another shift.

[IsaacCarlson]

Originally Posted by Christ

A simple advisory statement:

If your TCM locks up the solenoid with PWM, get a spare solenoid and test it to ensure whether or not it can handle ~12VDC constant. If it can, forget the PWM signal modification, and just set your system to turn on 12VDC to the solenoid.

In my experience, the PWM setup is only there for "smooth" engagement of the torque converter clutch, so it doesn't feel like another shift.

I have two solenoids....can I just use the 12v solenoid and ignore the pwm solenoid? I think the 12v solenoid takes over after the pwm solenoid engages smoothly. If this is the case I would like to just use the 12v solenoid.

If not, how long should the pwm solenoid be connected to 12v to test it?

[Christ]

Originally Posted by IsaacCarlson

I have two solenoids....can I just use the 12v solenoid and ignore the pwm solenoid? I think the 12v solenoid takes over after the pwm solenoid engages smoothly. If this is the case I would like to just use the 12v solenoid.

If not, how long should the pwm solenoid be connected to 12v to test it?

I can't answer those directly, but to test the solenoid, you just test it for a few minutes to make sure it doesn't overheat/fail. As long as it's not getting hot after a few minutes, or hasn't already failed, it should be OK.

[IsaacCarlson]

I found a diagram in my transmission repair manual....


It is hard to tell if the oil pump is driven my the crank or by the TC. Does anyone know? In the pic it appears to be driven by the TC.

[mechman600]

I tried to freeze my Ford Escape last night by grounding my TC lockup solenoid manually through a switch. It did work, but my '02 Escape is too smart, so in any gear but 3rd or 4th it fooled ME by removing the constant 12V from the solenoid to unlock it. Plus, my trans error light flashed and MIL lamp came on with an active P0743 (TC solenoid shorted to ground). But, it did work...I could go on/off the throttle in 3rd and 4th with no slush action at all.

[orange4boy]

Nice! It's my favourite mod. I had a loose connection the other day which disabled it and it sucked. Can't go back now...

Apparently there is a workaround to avoid the mil light. You may have to trick the computer into thinking the solenoid is still there by removing it from the circuit but replacing it with a resistor that mimics the solenoid. Then wire up the solenoid directly to your switch. There is a way to do this with dual throw switches that allow it to be instantly reversible