Transmission lock-up and Power Light

[benebob]

Did you try disconnecting the battery for at least 10 minutes to reset the TCU. The power light "learns" your driving habits and adapts to it. If you're one to slam it then that might be the issue. I know my XT needs reset about once a year.

As for the codes, steady at start up means no codes are present. Blinking at start up means there are codes stored.

[JIMSVX]

Originally Posted by benebob

Did you try disconnecting the battery for at least 10 minutes to reset the TCU.

Thanks for the idea benebob. After I thought about it, I remembered that 2 weeks ago I pulled the battery for half a day to get my daughters Escort moving when her battery died. Since then I have driven the SVX and still have the same issues with the Power Light and no TC lock-up.

Earthworm suggested that the TPS might need to be adjusted. I guess that should be my next place to look.

Thanks for your help.
- Jim

[SVX-FF]

Originally Posted by JIMSVX

Second - The instructions don't say what gear you should start the test. Since you must turn off the engine and then move the selector to "D" when you start, you can't start from Park. So I started from both "N" and "R", but the results were the same. So I guess it makes no difference.

Hey Jim try the code this way, I think I read what you did wrong.

Steve

Your must be in park to start.
1.Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2.Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3.Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4.Turn ignition switch OFF.
5.Move selector lever to D and turn manual switch ON. (Press the lock release button to do this.) Linkie to pic
6.Turn ignition switch ON.
7.Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch OFF.
8.Move selector level to "2" and turn manual switch ON.
9.Move selector lever to "1" and turn manual switch OFF.
10.Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11.Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.

Instructions courtesy of http://svx-iw.com/

[JIMSVX]

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

Hey Jim try the code this way, I think I read what you did wrong.

Steve

Your must be in park to start.

Instructions courtesy of http://svx-iw.com/

I just did this, using the "Shift Lock" button to move the selector from Park to Drive. I tried it both ways, looking for EXISTING problems and PREVIOUS problems. The results were the same, the POWER light always stays on.
I guess this means that the TCU is happy with the way the transmission works, even though I don't have TC lock-up or the power-light shifting.
The transmission works so good otherwise, I think I will be happy with the way it is and leave well enough alone.
- Jim

[SVX-FF]

Originally Posted by JIMSVX

I just did this, using the "Shift Lock" button to move the selector from Park to Drive. I tried it both ways, looking for EXISTING problems and PREVIOUS problems. The results were the same, the POWER light always stays on.
I guess this means that the TCU is happy with the way the transmission works, even though I don't have TC lock-up or the power-light shifting.
The transmission works so good otherwise, I think I will be happy with the way it is and leave well enough alone.
- Jim

The power light should not stay lite. It should blink. If the light stays lite after the test then there is a problem and I would have the dealer use there scan tool to check it out.

Steve

[JIMSVX]

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

The power light should not stay lite. It should blink. If the light stays lite after the test then there is a problem and I would have the dealer use there scan tool to check it out.

Steve

So you say that when the transmission is OK (the TCU does not detect any errors) then the Power Light should not be lit at the end of the test? When does this happen during the test? I ask this because during the test sequence on my TCU, everytime I turned on the ignition switch the Power Light was on - steady.
- Jim

[SVX-FF]

Originally Posted by JIMSVX

So you say that when the transmission is OK (the TCU does not detect any errors) then the Power Light should not be lit at the end of the test? When does this happen during the test? I ask this because during the test sequence on my TCU, everytime I turned on the ignition switch the Power Light was on - steady.
- Jim

The tranny light will blink once every quater second if it is ok at the end of the test. If the "POWER" light stay lite, steady, then there is a problem. If the light does not blink at the end of the test then the test was not done correctly.
When you start the car or turn the ignition to the "ON" position the "POWER" light will steady lite for a few seconds and then go out.
Hope this helps, if not let me know and I will shot a video for you this weekend of the process.

Steve

[JIMSVX]

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

The tranny light will blink once every quater second if it is ok at the end of the test. If the "POWER" light stay lite, steady, then there is a problem. If the light does not blink at the end of the test then the test was not done correctly.
When you start the car or turn the ignition to the "ON" position the "POWER" light will steady lite for a few seconds and then go out.
Hope this helps, if not let me know and I will shot a video for you this weekend of the process.

Steve

Thanks Steve - This is a very good explanation that is not included in the process steps. This can't be that hard to do. I'm a retired electronics engineer with over 4o years experience with Boeing, I will make this work!

- Jim

[intellibomb]

this is an idiodic newbie question:

what exactly _is_ torque converter lockup? is it a good or a bad thing?
this is what i get from it the previous posts:

when you are on the freeway and the tach needle follows the rpms.... that is the torque converter is "locked"? but if the tach dropped while you let off the gas it is not locked up?

please clarify for me
thank you guys

[Earthworm]

Imagine the torque converter as a clutch. In city driving (unlocked) it acts like a clutch that's always slipping. On the highway (locked) it acts like a clutch that's fully released.

[SVX-FF]

Jim hold everything I just found out what you problem is!!!

You were an engineer

You should have been a Technician

Steve(I am a technician )

[JIMSVX]

Originally Posted by SVX-FF

Jim hold everything I just found out what you problem is!!!

You were an engineer

You should have been a Technician

Steve(I am a technician )

I know what you mean Steve. I had developed a "Screwdrive Test" for the engineers I worked with. You hand them a screwdriver and see if they knew which end is the handle, and which end is the business end. Most of the PHD's engineers I worked with failed the test!

After failing to make this tranny self-test work I'm beginning to think I am failing the screwdriver test.
- Jim

[SVX-FF]

Originally Posted by JIMSVX

I know what you mean Steve. I had developed a "Screwdrive Test" for the engineers I worked with. You hand them a screwdriver and see if they knew which end is the handle, and which end is the business end. Most of the PHD's engineers I worked with failed the test!

After failing to make this tranny self-test work I'm beginning to think I am failing the screwdriver test.
- Jim

Don't sweet it Jim, this tranny stuff is not for the faint of heart. I have been working on cars for 27 years . I have done major engine work to body and fender and all points in-between. I threre was a reason I avoided the tranny, the SVX is that reason.

Steve

[SSSVX]

What is purpose/benefit of having the tranny lock-up?

If it doesn't lock-up, is it okay?

Are all transmissions having lock-up feature? Even a truck/bus?

[SVX-FF]

Originally Posted by SSSVX

What is purpose/benefit of having the tranny lock-up?

When the tranny reaches 150deg the torque converter will lock-up to give you better gas mileage. It only lock-up when you are at a steady speed. The SVX will lock-up in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. When it is locked-up you can let up on the gas pedal and the tach will not drop. Also slightly pressing down on the gas will and the tach will slowly rise.

Originally Posted by SSSVX

If it doesn't lock-up, is it okay?

The tranny is not warmed up or your speed is fluctuating too much. If you are at a steady speed and the tranny is warmed up then there might be a problem.

Originally Posted by SSSVX

Are all transmissions having lock-up feature? Even a truck/bus?

No not all. I am not sure which one are and aren't but the SVX and most Subaru's are. The tranny does not lock-up when you are driving around the town of city driving to give you a smoother ride.

Steve