Ok, so our transmissions aren't computer controlled or anything at all, except with the signal to the torque converter to lock and unlock, which is just a simple on/off signal right? My grandpa, back in his prime, got sick of his torque converter in his Buick Skylark locking up at irritating times, and jumping between a locked and unlocked state, so he wired a switch to the inside of his car which bypassed the automatic lockup, so he could lock and unlock it at will. I thought this was a damn good idea to cheaply eliminate my little 40 mph torque converter kick problem. How hard would it be to do? And if any of you know, how much of a gas mileage drop would I see by leaving it unlocked most of the time around the city? The way I drive normally, I only get approx. 15 mpg city. I really dislike overdrive until my wallet starts getting thin.. Thanks guys.
-Brooks

 

keep it in drive then. However, comma, the torque convertor is most efficient when it is locked.

 

Wait....am I reading this right...you're saying the torque converter won't engage unless you're in Overdrive? Because as ar as I know, my torque converter lockup is at 40 mph. When I'm driving right around 40 mph, it locks and unlocks at the tiniest of speed/throttle changes..and when I'm slowing down through and past 40 mph, passing through 40, the converter rapidly locks and unlocks, kicks, and shudders. I used to think this was my transmission but I'm 90% sure it's the TC now. And yes, it does this in Drive too. That's why I want to be able to control it manually. And btw, I drive it in drive 75% of the time because I like to hear the engine, and I enjoy the added throttle response...but my mileage goes to hell so when I'm low on gas, I kick the overdrive on.