QuestionQUESTION: I'm having problems with my 2001 Neon. When I decelerate from 3rd gear to 2nd it vibrates like crazy until I put it in neutral to stop without it wanting to stall or lock up. I'm not sure if the torque converter clutch is bad or its the solenoid inside. Are the torque converters notorious for going in these types of cars? It's a 3 speed automatic. I don't have very much money to play around with. Can you help me please? Thanks, Al
ANSWER: Hi Al,
I have not heard of unusual frequency of torque converter lock-up problems with the 3-speed transmission. The lock-up is controlled electrically by a simple circuit that provides 12v on a dark blue/white wire to the solenoid and an orange/black wire that goes back from the solenoid to pin 78 of the powertrain control module. The clutch is activated by the grounding of the orange/black wire. The only electical cause for non-release of the clutch were if that orange/black wire had a short to ground, so you could check that possibility with an ohmmeter while you shake the harness of the plug. The 3-pin/2-wire plug is located on the front side of the transmission near the torque converter. The simple fix would be to pull the plug which disables the lock-up and would however result in slightly reduced fuel economy. However many cars don't have the lock-up feature so it would be something to consider. The alternative would be a costly removal and repair of either the solenoid or the clutch itself.
So you might want to try just eliminating the clutch by pulling the plug. You may find that the clutch will release better in warmer weather.
Roland
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QUESTION: Thanks Roland!
I tried pulling the wire off but it didn't do anything.
I may try a tranny flush to see if that works.
ANSWER: Hi Al,
That is a bit surprising in that with the tc plug removed there should be no actuation of the lock-up clutch. I would hape that changing the fluid will do the trick.
Did it release, and yet lock-up seemingly when slowing down even though it didn't noticeably lock-up when you went above 40 mph as usual? It could be the veins of the torque converter halves are mechanically locking up internally without the intervention of the actual lockup device, which would imply the need to replace the converter. Just a theory, however.
Roland
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QUESTION: It only does it when I decelerate to around 30 km/hr. It just shakes and wants to stall on me. Ive never experienced this before. very weird!
thanks for helping me!
Al
AnswerIf it seems to be not a hard lock-up situation (where the engine stalls, as if you came to a stop without putting in the clutch on a manual transmission) then rather than being a torque converter issue at all it could be a delayed downshift due to a hang up in the valve body (which a fluid change might improve) or adjustment of the kickdown band (a routine adjustment) might help, or if neither of those does it then sevicing the valve body and the nearby 'governor' which can be done also by removing the pan which is needed to drain the fluid anyway may be worth trying. All those are listed as possible causes for a 'delayed downshift' which may be what is going on. You might consider looking for a trans shop that has a mechanic that is familiar with this tried and true transmission and discussing with him the alternatives. A road test by such an individual might be the best way to go.
