Torque converter lockup

[SVX10]

So, to be brief about it, my torque converter takes forever to reach lockup in the morning. By lockup, I mean the 5th gear sort of thing where you're already in 4th, but then you feel a slight "shift" and the RPMs drop a little (about 300-500 RPM). Don't know if lockup is the proper term. Anyway, it won't lockup until I've driven about 10 miles in the morning. It just stays in 4th even if it's warm. Any ideas?

[sfsvx]

Are you in Albuquerque, Phoenix, or Flint when this happens?

The ATF's gotta get up to about 150 degrees before it'll lock up, and ambient temp may be a factor.

[SVX10]

Right now I'm in Phoenix. It's about 55 ambient when I leave. I drive about 2 miles (3-4 minutes) stop and go to the interstate. Then she goes right up to 80 for about 7 miles. Then back to 40 or 50 for another mile, then back up to 80. It takes about 1 mile during the second 80 run to get it to lockup. In the snow in NM I would get lockup after only 2-3 miles with the ambient well below freezing. That's why it bothers me.

[lee]

I have an added aftermarket cooler (plate and fin type) and have the same issues. I don't think it's a problem.

Hmm... I think the magick numbaah is 50F. (in the case and in my case)

Here in Minot N.D. Mine can take up to 20 minutes this timeof year. There has been times in the winter (when its -35) that I will finally get it to lock up after 25 minutes, then after another 2 minutes, it unlocks because it cools off to much.

I wish subaru had made the temp setting lower, 150 seems kinda high to me.

Chris

[Earthworm]

Originally posted by Boone
Hmm... I think the magick numbaah is 50F. (in the case and in my case)

That magic number is for 4th gear...not TC lockup.

If you can't have TC lockup except in 4th. Wouldn't that be a good place to start?

edit: remembering last year, on those zero F mornings 4th and lock up occured at the same time a few miles on that long cruise to work. B.

[Stevebsy]

quoting service manual:
"When oil temperature is below approximately 10C (50F) the vehcle cannot be shifted into the 4th range."