hey my 87TA's lockup is killing me while drivin around town. Ill be doing maybe 28 and it locks in third and the rpm's go to 1000 if that. My question is.. =where and how would you hook up a switch to control it? I have to hold it in second tiall about 32 before shifting so i dont drop rpms. I know it can be done but idk how? thanks Jake

 

Reprogramming the TCC lock/unlock points is the right way to do it.

 

True but for right now i could only do a switch. So do you know how to do that? i thought you ground it out on the OBDI plug or something.

 

You can only make it lock through the ALDL, you can't make it unlock.

 

Oh so there is no way of doing a switch for it?

 

Only if you start cutting wires.

 

Really? oh well another ques. can thoses kits you buy and put in correct it? They say that is what they do but i didnt know.

 

You could, but they're not necessarily computer-friendly.

Vader's solution is the right one.

 

Yeah i figured that but how exactly would you do his? E-prom? Another thing it seems like when it does lock the car is doing only 25 Now???

 

I did exactly what you're talking about. After all my mods, the lockup points were all screwy.

Took about $5 bucks and 20 minutes. There's a switch on your brake pedal witch won't allow the TC to lock while you're on the brakes. I simply wired in a switch and mounted it under the dash. The tranny now thinks the brakes are always on, and won't lock the TC. -Just to be clear, I can't LOCK the TC on command, only keep it FROM LOCKING. Lot's of people will wire in a switch so they can LOCK it whenever they want, but I did the exact opposite.

The only negative drawbacks are 1)- obviously you have to switch it manually, where as having the computer programmed properly makes everything automatic. 2)- With the TC unlocked, you don't get any tranmission cooler circulation, so you can overheat the trans if you beat on it.

I basically always let the computer do it's job unless I'm out to "drive" the car and have fun with it. -also, it's nice on the highway for passing. Flick the switch, unlock the TC and I can EASILY pass in Overdrive and not have to downshift to 3rd.

For the record, I've recently had the computer tuned, and I went ahead and adjusted the lock-up points. I figured I might as well. The car handles lock-up much better now, but I still manually unlock it from time to time.

 

So basically i could run to switches. One for unlocking at the brakes and the other by grounding the aldl thing right? Or with the brake switch and then it lock only when i am not wanting it to lock like early in the morning?

 

No need for two.

The ALDL grounding procedure is to lock the TC on command. The guys who do it use for a performance edge. Less slipping. To make a bad analogy, think of it like traditional clutch. The computer wants to granny shift, this switch allows you to power shift. Bad analogy, but it illustrates the point. Whether or not it really makes a difference is up for debate. Either way, this isn't what you need.

If I'm not mistaken, your problem is that your TC is locking too early, right? Same issue I had. You need to keep it from locking early, which is what I did.

Say I'm driving around town. I flip my switch to off. This breaks the circuit to the lock-up. Same thing as pushing down the pedal, only I did this via my switch. I can now cruise around town with NO LOCKUP, and since I'm not locked, my RPMs are a little higher, keeping me right in my powerband. Fun is had by all! Then let's say I get on the highway. I'm cruising at about 2800 RPM's. I can flip the switch back on, which reconnects the circuit, and the computer now thinks I'm NOT on the brakes. I drive like this for a few seconds and I can hear the RPMs drop to around 2500 as the TC locks up for better economy, AND it begins to circulate through the trans cooler. The computer is operating as it should from the factory. If I need to pass, or I need to hit the brakes, the computer unlocks the TC just like normal. No input needed from me whatsoever.

My switch simply allows me to keep the TC unlocked at all times if I want. I still have the option to run "normal" just like every other automatic car. No need for the ALDL grounding switch, which allows "always locked" ability. What happens if you're idling and you lock the TC??????

 

Nothing. The TCC can't lock unless the transmission is in 2nd gear or above.

 

Can somebody tell me which pins I should ground to force the TC to lock up? Mine hasn't locked since I bought the car and I have about ran out of things to check. If the TC does lock with the ALDL pins grounded does that mean my TCC solenoid is bad? Also, when I break the ground will the TC immediately unlock? I'd like to know if the thing even works period.

 

https://www.thirdgen.org/torqueswitch

 

If this works does that mean my TCC solenoid is bad? I'm going to try this tomorrow.

 

No, if it works it means your solenoid is good.

 

I don't understand why you would want to disable a perfectly good working TCC system. There is a reason the GM engineers choose to lock the converter at speeds that low. My 305 is perfectly capable of moving around my 5,500 lbs G20 van with 3.08 gears at 1,000 rpm locked up in OD. I'd sure hope your L98s are able to move around your 3,800 lbs cars. The only reason I can see raising the lockup speed is if you have installed a larger than stock cam that keeps the engine from running smoothly at lower rpms. I once had a TBI 305 in my van that had the old L82 Corvette cam in it that didn't produce enough power below 1,500 to pull the van around and I had to adjust the lockup speeds for that.

 

 

I never had a chance to mess with my converter lock up. I hear that it can give you a better ET in the 1/4 if you do so? I have a prominator pro so I can change my setting just wondering what would be a good lock/unlock points setting?? Thanks

 

Who did that? You're right, "perfectly good"?.........I don't think anyone WOULD disable a perfectly good working TCC system.

 

I tried the toggle switch today and it didn't work. I got up to 55mph and flipped it on and nothing happened. I guess my solenoid is bad or I have a wiring problem somewhere.