Bad MLPS? Will it affect torque converter lock-up?

[Calabrio]

Can a bad MLPS cause problems with the lockup on the torque converter? Is slipping into neutral the only symptom?

I have one on the way, so I'll replace it regardless. This symptom existed with my old transmission, and the MLPS is the only part that I reused on this newly built one.

 

[unity]

Well if you gonna replace it anyway is this not a pointless question since you will have your answer soon? lol

But to answer your question, it should not. The lock up is controlled by many things, current speed, throttle position, etc. As long as the car holds gear, it should lock.

Let us know how it turns out. You *might* have a bad trans harness?

 

[Calabrio]

The symptom feels like the lock up is engaging and disengaging frequently under very low throttle. And, I might even detect it when I'm cruising at highway speeds.

Often times the problem, or the symptoms briefly clear after I touch the break, unlocking the t.c.

In congestion, it drives me mad. On the open road, I don't notice is so much.

I'll soon find out, I can think of two times where the car did jump into neutral, so with 200k miles, I don't mind replacing the MLPS. And it's less expensive that the new Motorcraft ignition coils I bought hoping it was just a miss.

 

[baggedtaco]

When I had one go bad the most noticable thing it did to me was NOT downshifting when going up an incline. Annoying as heck...Mine was $115 if I recall correct. Money well spent...heh

I would second the reply in regards to the converter lockup...

Brad

 

[unity]

If its happening at highway, then your not locking. At low speeds it is just the annoying lock-up schedule and why many drive with Over-Drive off. I never drive in OD unless I am on the highway.

The MLPS should be about $40 fro most part stores, no need for OEM.

 

[Calabrio]

If its happening at highway, then your not locking. At low speeds it is just the annoying lock-up schedule and why many drive with Over-Drive off. I never drive in OD unless I am on the highway.

The MLPS should be about $40 fro most part stores, no need for OEM.

I can feel a short of tug, and I can hear the pitch of the exhaust note change sometimes. You can hear the load increasing and decreasing sometimes. When you touch the brake, the strain is lifted until you change throttle position.

Because the symptom changes when I tap the brake, it feels like the torque converter locking. And it's not a downshifting/upshifting issue because it's not changing gears. As you've mentioned in the past, there's a big difference between the TC locking and a downshift, but it does sometimes feel like another gear.

The transmission was just built for me. The torque converter is new. I even replaced the EGR tube and IACV when replacing the transmission. New Coils. Replaced the wires and platinum plugs about 20k miles ago.

 

[unity]

Well then I say go for the MLPS. Like you said its the only thing you have not changed. I hope it solves the problem. Is it still the factory one?

 

[Calabrio]

Well then I say go for the MLPS. Like you said its the only thing you have not changed. I hope it solves the problem. Is it still the factory one?

Yeah, 200k miles on the factory MLPS.
So, no regrets if it doesn't work.

 

[ponytail john]

I think you are darn luck that you got 200k out of the original one, the 93 and 94 were crap from the factory. Just had one installed on my 93 and a world of difference, now the trans. isn't constantly searching for different gears, a lot tighter shifts.

 

[Calabrio]

I think you are darn luck that you got 200k out of the original one, the 93 and 94 were crap from the factory. Just had one installed on my 93 and a world of difference, now the trans. isn't constantly searching for different gears, a lot tighter shifts.

That's reassuring. Because, frankly, the funny shifting is really frustrating and, despite all the work I've put into it, really takes the joy out of driving the car