Torque Converter Lockup Clutch Failing
dharri...@gmail.com
I have a 1996 Ford Escort LX with 213k miles on it. It has the F4EAT
automatic transmission with overdrive. Over the past few months, I've
noticed what appears to be my torque converter lockup clutch locking
and unlocking at random, most noticeable at highway speeds (>50 mph).
It seems to do it at slower speeds as well, as long as it's in
overdrive, although the jump in RPM is less noticeable.
Due to the age and mileage on the car, I don't intend to fix/replace
the torque converter and it's clutch. However, I wanted to know if
there was a way to disable the lockup clutch, and if doing so could be
dangerous to the transmission (ie. overheating due to extra slippage
of the converter). If I can't disable it, is there any harm in having
it locking/unlocking repeatedly? Also, I had been planning to take a
vacation this Spring, which is on the order of 2,000 mi highway
driving. Would you advise against taking the car such a long distance
like that, or is the lockup issue no more than an annoyance?
And before anyone asks.. yes the fluid has been changed regularly and
is at the correct level.
Thanks.
m6onz5a
I think their might be a lockout solenoid on the tranny. Look for a
plug going to the tranny and unplug it and see if it's better or not.
Paul
Here is the plug diagram: Pin 7
http://www.zoom-tech.com/downloads/support/tranxpages/ford/4eat-f.pdf
213k miles... Personally I would not take that car more than 7 miles from home.
I would rent a new car instead. That is your choice. Take along enough cash
and credit cards to pay for a new engine and trans just in case. Around $5000.
Repeated movement of anything is hard on the parts. Clutch plates especially.
The trans will run hotter. Don't go over 50 mph.
Ashton Crusher
wrote:
Before you decide not to fix it perhaps you should take it to an
honest transmission shop and get their opinion on what's wrong with it
and the cost. maybe it's just a bad switch or solenoid. The brake
light switch on my explorer went bad and the transmission lost
un-lockup. Cost $10 for a new switch.
dharri...@gmail.com
> dharringto...@gmail.com wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
>
> > I have a 1996 Ford Escort LX with 213k miles on it. It has the F4EAT
> > automatic transmission with overdrive. Over the past few months, I've
> > noticed what appears to be my torque converter lockup clutch locking
> > and unlocking at random, most noticeable at highway speeds (>50 mph).
> > It seems to do it at slower speeds as well, as long as it's in
> > overdrive, although the jump in RPM is less noticeable.
>
> > Due to the age and mileage on the car, I don't intend to fix/replace
> > the torque converter and it's clutch. However, I wanted to know if
> > there was a way to disable the lockup clutch, and if doing so could be
> > dangerous to the transmission (ie. overheating due to extra slippage
> > of the converter). If I can't disable it, is there any harm in having
> > it locking/unlocking repeatedly? Also, I had been planning to take a
> > vacation this Spring, which is on the order of 2,000 mi highway
> > driving. Would you advise against taking the car such a long distance
> > like that, or is the lockup issue no more than an annoyance?
>
> > And before anyone asks.. yes the fluid has been changed regularly and
> > is at the correct level.
>
> > Thanks.
>
> 213k miles... Personally I would not take that car more than 7 miles from home.
> I would rent a new car instead. That is your choice. Take along enough cash
> and credit cards to pay for a new engine and trans just in case. Around $5000.
> Repeated movement of anything is hard on the parts. Clutch plates especially.
> The trans will run hotter. Don't go over 50 mph.
Actually I think the most practical thing to do would be to just junk
it and pick up the nearest clunker under $1000 to get me back home.
But yea, as for that pin diagram - it says 1997 up on both pinouts. I
know there is a connector on top of the tranny, but is that diagram
the same with mine being a 96?
Thanks.
Paul
I don't know the answer to your question, however I would suspect the
trans' are the same if the plug is the same.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_F-4EAT_transmission