Thread: td5 auto lockup problem

The torque converter won't lock until the engine reaches a certain temp, can't remember what that is. Could it be something as simple as a faulty thermostat?
I know when my thermostat was stuck open it affected the locking up.
Hope it's an easy fix what ever the problem.

Dylan

Originally Posted by dswatts

The torque converter won't lock until the engine reaches a certain temp, can't remember what that is. Could it be something as simple as a faulty thermostat?
I know when my thermostat was stuck open it affected the locking up.
Hope it's an easy fix what ever the problem.

Dylan

Yes , im aware the temp has to come up to normal to engage lock-up,
My temp gets to the normal half way mark in reasonable time, thanks.
how did your temp gauge respond with a stuck open thermostat, did it show it was running cold??

For auto lockup to occur,two criteria have to be satisfied if it is working as designed.

1...Speed aprox. 80Km/hr

2...temperature,when thermostat opens at around 80-86 degrees.
On my TD5 this equates to temp gauge halfway up the scale.
If it hasn`t reached this level at 80Km it will not lockup.
So maybe thermostat check is in order.

Trev.

further to above reply,if thermostat stuck open,temp guage fluctuates from mid range to low depending on ambient temp and load.
got to watch it though! a low reading could also indicate low coolant level.

Trev.

Originally Posted by roverv8

Yes , im aware the temp has to come up to normal to engage lock-up,
My temp gets to the normal half way mark in reasonable time, thanks.
how did your temp gauge respond with a stuck open thermostat, did it show it was running cold??

The temp gauge for the most part appeared normal, when doing long hwy runs all was ok until I pulled into a town and slowed down, then the gauge would drop down to about a quarter. Getting back up to speed, it would go to the normal position but it would take ages for the torque converter to lock up.
With a new thermostat fitted it was all good.
Not saying this is your problem, but worth checking.

Dylan

Originally Posted by dswatts

The temp gauge for the most part appeared normal, when doing long hwy runs all was ok until I pulled into a town and slowed down, then the gauge would drop down to about a quarter. Getting back up to speed, it would go to the normal position but it would take ages for the torque converter to lock up.
With a new thermostat fitted it was all good.
Not saying this is your problem, but worth checking.

Dylan

I think your right, driving home from work today, 15km Hwy run, it refused to go into lockup properly, the temp gauge did come up to half,
I have a second digital gauge connected to the head which does seem to read a bit cold, I put it down to the alloy being a bit cooler than the coolant. (should it read the same)???
I just went and jammed a cardboard sheet in front of the grill and went for a run into town, 15km run, guess what lock-up 3rd & 4th no probs and the hottest it got was 82.9 on the digital gauge even with the grill partly blocked, so the thermostat can't be closing properly when it needs to regulate flow
will try a new thermostat and report back.
Cheers & thankyou, fingers crossed

Well ive fitted a new thermostat, warm up time appears to be the about same to get the gauge to halfway mark, but it now does seem to hold a more consistent temp when warmed up.
Thought i was onto a winner with this but earlier today it did it again at temp on the open rd.
An example of it's behavior is going into lockup on the open rd when it should, but say I slow down for a sharp bend below 80kph, winding up again it dosen't drop into lockup properly, the revs start to come down but it doesn't lock fully.
other times it will lock in 4th but not 3rd when tested.
other times it will lock both gears when tested
any other ideas??

Your MAF is failing... Or the converter has started going bad.

When was the last fluid and filter change?