Lock-up transmission is a technology that was introduced in the early 1980s for vehicles with automatic transmissions to help reduce drag and increase fuel economy.
The main goal of a lock-up transmission is to provide more performance and better drivability. Since then, vehicles with automatic transmission have a lock-up clutch in the converter.
So the big question is: what will happen if you disable transmission lock up?
Some of the things that will happen when you disable transmission lock up include decreased fuel economy and increased drag. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about transmission lock up and what will happen when you disable it.
Contents
What is a transmission lock up?
Transmission lock-up is a technology that was introduced when it was discovered that manual transmissions were more fuel efficient than automatic transmissions.
Transmission lock-up comprises a clutch that locks the engine to the transmission input shaft when it engages providing a direct 1:1 drive ratio.
Transmission lockup has become very popular because it offers better fuel economy. It also reduces drag and gives more performance and drivability.
Unlike a non-lock-up transmission that adds more heat to the transmission thus reducing its effectiveness, the lock-up transmission will lock up when you get to speed thus creating a direct drive from the engine to the transmission.
As a result, no heat will be added to the tranny fluid because of slippage during operation. This is important because it helps to extend the life of your transmission.
What happens when you disable your transmission lock up?
Now that you know what transmission lockup is, you are probably wondering what will happen when you disable your transmission lockup.
When the transmission lockup is disabled, you will increase drag, a factor that will make your car lose some fuel economy. More so, when going at a higher speed, it is going to take a lot more RPM to maintain that speed.
The effectiveness of the converter to operate will also reduce, causing it to heat up. When the converter heats up, it will, in turn, heat the fluid that will overheat the transmission and eventually burn it.
So, you should not even think of disabling your transmission lock up because it may cause premature failure of your transmission.
Why is my torque converter locking up?
The reason why your torque converter is locking up is to reduce energy loss and improve fuel economy. The torque converter will not lock up until the vehicle reaches a cruising speed of 40Mph.
It locks up to take the stress off the fluid coupling the torque converter thus reducing the amount of heat being generated at higher cruising speeds.
Torque converter lock-up was not an issue until when overdrive came into the picture. When your transmission spins more RPM than the engine, the fluid coupling the torque converter is overwhelmed by the huge demand.
As a result, it starts to generate extra heat forcing the torque converter to lock up.
What happens if you unplug the TCC solenoid?
TCC solenoid is a crucial component that regulates the torque converter clutch by allowing them to engage or disengage.
When the TCC solenoid receives a signal from the engine control module, it opens a passage in the valve body, allowing the hydraulic fluid to pass.
When the signals stop, the solenoid closes the valves causing the TCC solenoid to disengage. When you unplug the TCC solenoid, it will not be able to regulate the torque converter clutch, meaning you will never get into a lock-up.
This will not only lead to a loss of fuel efficiency but also cause the transmission to run much hotter causing it to overheat.
Can the TCC solenoid be bypassed?
YES, you can bypass the TCC solenoid by using a standard 4 bulb. Sometimes the TCC may fail to maintain the 1:1 ratio thus causing a serious situation.
Knowing how to bypass the TCC solenoid may help to prevent any accidental situation. Bypassing the TCC solenoid using a standard 4 bulb is simple.
All you need to do is connect the bulb to one side of the circuit of PCM. Ensure that the bulb has a long wire that can reach the ignition. Once you are done connecting the first side, connect the other side of the bulb to the ignition. That’s it
Final thoughts
If you are thinking of disabling your transmission lock up and wondering the impact it will have on your car performance, we hope that you now know what will happen.
Disabling your car transmission lock-up is not a wise decision because it will reduce your car’s fuel efficiency and also heat your transmission causing premature failure.
