I have what is called torque converter chuggle, apparently. I've been dealing with it for over a year after buying this vehicle. It is a 1996 cruiser with 90k, all fluids are mobil 1 synth, the TB has been removed and cleaned twice, and there or no vacuum leaks or cracks in the rubber intake boot. The motor seems to idle smooth. Also the timing is dead on, with the circuit shorted its at 3 degrees.
What seems to be happening is that when the transmission is in overdrive and the torque converter locks up, which usually happens at about 50-55 mph, I get a chugging from the motor under light acceleration. This chugging goes away at about 60-65mph, or if you just stomp on it, is undetectable. Almost like a lean condition. I have been trying to figure this problem out for some time, and have been trying to avoid any spendy repair costs.. Dosnt seem like its hurting the cruiser, but for what I paid for the thing, and how annoying it can be when the speed limit is 50mph, i'd really like to fix it.. Plus it dosnt exactly impress people riding with me.
I did take the cruiser to a transmission guy, who was actually familiar with these tranny's. He drove the cruiser and told me the transmission seems fine and that the motor seems to be missing right after the converter locks up. The thing is, I initially thought it might have been an ignition problem and have had the almost entire ignition system replaced with all OEM parts. That includes wires, cap, rotor, and denso plugs.. No luck.. The other strange thing is that is has never thrown a misfire code, but does and has seemed to run a little rough..
Before I go any further I want to add that I did have the nasty, and yet very famous P0401 when I first purchased the vehicle. I updated the modulater to the newer one with the blue sticker then the light went away for about 8 months, then came back. The cruiser also would not pass the egr test on the scanner, so I busted out my FSM and starting doing some of the vacuum tests within. I applied vacuum to the EGR valve directly and it opened. Not only did it open, but after I put all the hoses back my cruiser passed the egr test on the scanner tool and hasnt thrown the code in over 5 months.. ????? kinda wierd, and possibly my first suspect.. Could the egr cause this type of problem?
I continued to do more research and found (searching with "converter chuggle", this apparently being the technical term?) many people on the net, not cruiser owners in particular (or at all for that matter) that have had this same problem. In fact, I think I am the only one on this board that i have found with this issue (story of my life). Anyhow, I read about this problem being cured once by replacing O2 sensors, and another time they found that the injecters werent balanced and it was causing the problem.. Can the injecters be tested without yanking them out? Several bottles of Redline later and no change other than slightly smoother engine and more power. My O2 sensors seem to be within range according to my scanner and the specs within the FSM..
At least I feel that I have things narrowed down, a little... maybe.. Any help, comments, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.. thanks..
What seems to be happening is that when the transmission is in overdrive and the torque converter locks up, which usually happens at about 50-55 mph, I get a chugging from the motor under light acceleration. This chugging goes away at about 60-65mph, or if you just stomp on it, is undetectable. Almost like a lean condition. I have been trying to figure this problem out for some time, and have been trying to avoid any spendy repair costs.. Dosnt seem like its hurting the cruiser, but for what I paid for the thing, and how annoying it can be when the speed limit is 50mph, i'd really like to fix it.. Plus it dosnt exactly impress people riding with me.
I did take the cruiser to a transmission guy, who was actually familiar with these tranny's. He drove the cruiser and told me the transmission seems fine and that the motor seems to be missing right after the converter locks up. The thing is, I initially thought it might have been an ignition problem and have had the almost entire ignition system replaced with all OEM parts. That includes wires, cap, rotor, and denso plugs.. No luck.. The other strange thing is that is has never thrown a misfire code, but does and has seemed to run a little rough..
Before I go any further I want to add that I did have the nasty, and yet very famous P0401 when I first purchased the vehicle. I updated the modulater to the newer one with the blue sticker then the light went away for about 8 months, then came back. The cruiser also would not pass the egr test on the scanner, so I busted out my FSM and starting doing some of the vacuum tests within. I applied vacuum to the EGR valve directly and it opened. Not only did it open, but after I put all the hoses back my cruiser passed the egr test on the scanner tool and hasnt thrown the code in over 5 months.. ????? kinda wierd, and possibly my first suspect.. Could the egr cause this type of problem?
I continued to do more research and found (searching with "converter chuggle", this apparently being the technical term?) many people on the net, not cruiser owners in particular (or at all for that matter) that have had this same problem. In fact, I think I am the only one on this board that i have found with this issue (story of my life). Anyhow, I read about this problem being cured once by replacing O2 sensors, and another time they found that the injecters werent balanced and it was causing the problem.. Can the injecters be tested without yanking them out? Several bottles of Redline later and no change other than slightly smoother engine and more power. My O2 sensors seem to be within range according to my scanner and the specs within the FSM..
At least I feel that I have things narrowed down, a little... maybe.. Any help, comments, or ideas would be greatly appreciated.. thanks..