Torque Converter Lock-Ups

[Greg Hermann]

>I would like to raise the subject Auto Transmission Torque Converter (TC)
>Lock-Ups and Electronic Control..
>
>Does anybody know if there are any TCs with Lock-Up operating under
>electronic control in tune with the auto-box.
>
>Most TCs seem to me to Lock-Up purely mechanically determined by
>speed and load.  (are these the only parameters and are they the
>correct ones ?).
>
>Are mechanical based Lock-Ups adjustable in any way...or must the
>whole TC be replaced ?   Similarly if there are any under elctronic
>control are they alterable....what electronic control device is used ?
>
>I believe that TC lock-Up is a relatively recent thing and was
>not present in the Borg-Warner Type 35 & 65 implementations of the
>late 60s and 70s.  I first remember it being mentioned in Europe in
>some small Ford Autos of the early 1980s...but has now found its way
>into most Auto setups.
>
>Martin
>
Recent in car trannies, not in med. and heavy truck trannies. (Allison used
converterlock-ups in the fifties!) Lock up clutch is actuated hydraulically
in all cases I know of, controlled either by hydraulic logic (earlier ones)
or electronic logic and a solenoid valve (later ones). The hydraulic logic
could be fiddled in all the usual ways. If nothing else, the electronic
logic could be fiddled by tapping into the circuit that energizes the
solenoid valve, and adding a manual switch. As to how this might affect
what your engine or trannie ecu might think of what was going on, all bets
are off!! :-)

I think any of the so-called"electronic" trannies use the
electronic/solenoid valve control method.-- Ford E4OD, Allison MD3060,
Allison HD4060, etc.

Regards, Greg
>----------------------------------------------------------
>martin at mgass.demon.co.uk
>----------------------------------------------------------