While towing in overdrive my tranny dosen't hunt between 3rd and 4th but the TC constantly unlocks and locks. Is this causing damage to my tranny? It happens on the slightest incline and i find myself turning off OD. Technically its not hunting for gears its only the convertor doing what it does anyway. Will this fry my tranny? I would rather run with OD off then cause tranny problems down the road. I have run a complete search on this subject and people only talk about the hunting, nothing about the TC locking and unlocking.

I also posted this in the towing section.

 

Personally I will lock out OD even if the converter unlock begins to happen. I doubt it generates as much extra heat as the shift will, but better to play it safe IMO.

 

The computer is unlocking the converter to add a little bit of RPM to keep the load moving. It will also unlock before a downshift.(4-3) When the converter is unlocked, it is producing tons of heat. You are probablly better off putting it in 3rd, that way the converter will lock.

 

I would keep it in 3rd if you are locking out. Higher RPM's arn't hurting anything as opposed to working your transmission.

 

Coach,

The tranny is doing what it was intended to do. What does the manual say? Tow in O/D unless the tranny hunts.
If you encounter 10 hills in a 1000 mile journey and the tranny only down shifts going up the hills it is doing what it is supposed to do. If on a flat surface the tranny hunts then you should take it out of O/D. What is the difference in being in O/D, coming to a hill and have the treanny down shift compared to having the tranny in 3rd and it doesn't down shift at the same hill? Nothing to the tranny, just more gas wasted by driving all those miles needlessly in 3rd gear.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I'm with JMC on this one. My boat is over 7000# and I leave mine in O/D with absolutly no problem. It downshifts when it needs to and won't upshift until time is right. I'm surprised sometimes; it almost seems like it's watching the road for what's ahead. The TQ is doing what it should.

Maybe with what I've done to mine it helps keep mine form hunting and has plenty of power to pull where ever I need to go???

Depending on speed, load etc. notice what the TQ will do when you're in 3rd with O/D off. It locks and unlocks based on a lot of different things. Go WOT up an incline and see where it locks as opposed to when going flat or downhill as compared to normal acceleration.

If it's not hunting, leave it in O/D is my opinion

 

I asked a question like this awhile back in the chip fourm. Empty mine will unlock on the least little bump in the road and will unlock when I let off the pedal. Seems most on this board don't know the difference between a downshift and the converter unlocking.

 

Scar I think you're right. There are lots of posts where people are asking questions about their tranny shifting when in fact it's the TQ unlocking/locking. However, his questions came kind of blended with an O/D off or on question as well as the TQ locking/unlocking question.

Hopefully FBCoach realizes that most of the replies are addressing both issues just as they were both asked together. It might be less confusing for some to seperate the 2 questions as although they are releated to the tranny, they are different functions.

Just as there are many that don't know the difference, there are many that do and those that do are helping those that don't, learn. That's one of the best things about this board, we're all helping each other and those of us that desire, can learn a lot as well.

 

I wasn't knocking anyone, just stateing a fact. I was glad to see someone who knew the difference.

I have no idea what engine or trans. he has or how much he's towing, but on my diesel I put a lockup switch on the E4OD. I know people with Chevy gassers that have put on switches with no problems.

like V10 man said, the unlocked converter builds alot of heat. Keeping it locked as much as you can will help. Ford makes these things too sensitive and any little bump in the road will cause it to unlock.

With the powerstroke, chip makers can change the way ( or I should say when ) the converter locks/unlocks. I have a few chips for my PSD and everyone shifts and works the converter different. I have no idea what they can do for a gaser. I tried to find out and got no real answer.

I know what you mean about this board. I have been around awhile. I have two F150's. A '86 and a new '01. Took advantage of the good intrest rates to test drive one of these new ones. If I like it I will trade it for the diesel F150 when it comes out (I hope they hurry).

 

I think I did read or hear about something that you could install (electronic or not I'm not sure) to control the TQ. SOunds odd, but it would be great! I agree, they unlock to easily and it's annoying.

If you listen to yourself driving like that, it sounds like some idiot that doesn't know how to drive, on the pedal, off the pedal rev up, and down and you're barely touching it. Ug. Oh well, that's the only thing I can find that I don't like about it so I'm ok with it!