Torque lock solenoid

PCDJ64

MEMBER
1997 BUICK LESABRE
127,000 MILES

When it is in 3rd or 4th the torque converter lock engages and it acts like
a standard going up a hill in too high of a gear with the shaking, I know of 2 other people with lesabres doing same thing, is there a way to disable the torque lock without it throwing a code? I know you can't just unplug the solenoid because then it will drag when you take off

4 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

If it's shaking you have a misfire condition or it's not down-shifting to prevent lugging going uphill. The torque converter should be locked up in the 3rd or 4th gear above a certain road speed and engine temperature. To make it unlock, tap the brake pedal.

You can also connect a scanner that displays live data during a test drive and view the "Torque Converter Clutch" status. That will show whether it's being commanded on or off.

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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 7:07 PM

PCDJ64

MEMBER
127 POSTS

The torque converter is locking, if I let off the gas and press it releases or if I give it more gas it releases and goes to passing gear. All 4 speeds shift smooth, no slips.
I just replaced the plugs with autolite iridium plugs and put in bosh premium wires, possibly a weak coil? They are original as is the ignition module. I did notice that when the engine is cold it is smooth with no shake until it reaches operating temperature
so not sure what to look for.
I did change the fluids so they are all clean and the trans filter is new, no oil mixing with anti-freeze or vice versa.
Your help is very much appreciated, thank you

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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 8:22 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Everything you described about the lockup clutch sounds normal. It should unlock over about 3/4 throttle and when you let off the gas. When you press the accelerator again, it should lock up within one or two seconds.

If the engine runs smoothly when it's still cold, the ignition system is generally working okay. Once a certain coolant temperature is reached, fuel metering is adjusted continuously according to readings from the oxygen sensors. If that's when the misfires start, look for injector or fuel delivery problems first.

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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 8:35 PM

PCDJ64

MEMBER
127 POSTS

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense, when I got the car two of the injectors had bare wires touching and I repaired them.I should probably check the remaining wires throughout the injector harness in case more are worn or bare. I had thought about buying a new harness.

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Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 AT 11:44 PM