My 94 T-5r is throwing a code for no torque converter lockup. The atf was the darkest I have ever seen and over the past few months I have been draining the pan, replacing that amount slowly so as to not shock the system. Car is barely being driven until I solve this problem. Yesterday, I drove it only a few miles and noticed the strong smell of burnt atf upon parking. I know very little about automatic transmissions, my question is, if the tc is not locking up, are the friction plates working extra hard thus creating excess heat and burning the atf? I am looking into replacing the tc solenoid along with s1 and s2 solenoids - is this worthwhile at this point? Car has 210,000 miles and is great shape other than this trans issue. Trans seems to engage properly in drive and reverse and I am not detecting any slippage while driving. Any thoughts here? Thank you!

 

No. If the torque converter is trying to lock up, and that clutch which locks up the torque converter is slipping, that clutch would generate heat and also particulates. if the torque converter is not trying to lock up ever, the consequences of that are minor. If the torque converter never locks up, the transmission would run hotter in some situations, but cars were built that way for 40 years.

 

Thank you for the information, hope to learn more from my tech today

 

Firebird parts:
Is there a way to disable lockup on transmissions? I am searching for a 960, but 850 was close, and had similar parts.
Legalbeaver

 

Generally, you could cut one wire and that would do it.