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2000 3.8 gt toruqe converter locking and unlocking

J

jbanderson

New member
I know it's been discussed but I cannot find the cause or cure. I tried searching but you know how that goes. All gears shift great and tc locks solid but just won't stay locked for more than maybe 2 seconds then unlock and lock right back.
Fliud is brown but doesnt smell to burnt??
if anyone can help that would be awsome.
 


Start off with a MAF and throttle body cleaning. Make sure you plugs and wires are good or replace them. Much of the time the TCC oscillation is caused by general tune or calculated load. TPS/MAF/MAP have a lot to do with trans shifting and TCC.
 
Cleaned maf no change engine runs like new no misfiring or surging its deffinanrly something with the tc it shifts and grabs great just locks unlocks under load
 


The TC lock/unlock is the death knell for these transmissions. Once that happens, you have contaminants floating around in the fluid. Only a matter of time now before she goes.
 
TheMonty said:
The TC lock/unlock is the death knell for these transmissions. Once that happens, you have contaminants floating around in the fluid. Only a matter of time now before she goes.
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Even if it still shifts great? All gears shift smooth and hold under full throttle
 
what gear is it doing this in?

mine did the same thing in 3 rd gear only when light on the gas. after a month i lost 3 gear. still had OD but had to nail it to get it up to where it would hole in OD. 50 to 55 till it would hold.

i also had brown fluid and it was burnt up, i had it scanned and the pcs / tcc solenoids were the code.


picked up a used trans.


a pan drop and new filter and fluid may save it, never know tho. do not do a full flush of the trans it will be dead on the spot 90% of the time.
 
Trans is on its way out. Had the problem once in my 02. never got it to stop even with a flush. Shouldn't have even wasted my money on it and got a used one. Just my two cents

Sent from my Galaxy SIII on Tapatalk 2
 


Mine started doing the TCC dance around 78k, at 80k the whine coming from the trans was getting pretty loud.

My understanding of this is that there is part of the TCC that breaks, causing this. When this part deteriorates, it leaves bits and pieces of it floating around in the trans fluid. This in turn will eventually destroy the rest of the trans. When replacing the trans, it then is a smart move to either flush the radiator cooler (trans portion) or even better, remove the radiator from the mix altogether and use an aftermarket cooler. Not flushing can leave those floating bits in the fluid and destroy the new trans as well. Good luck, trans problems suck.
 
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Well this just sucks how te heck am I supposed to get a used one if this is such a common problem?
what all years will fit a 2000 3.8
 
you can also try changing those solenoids in the trans, they are located in the side cover. (with out removing the trans) they run about 100 bucks for all of them. not a easy job. but can be done.
 
jbanderson said:
Well this just sucks how te heck am I supposed to get a used one if this is such a common problem?
what all years will fit a 2000 3.8
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There are quite a few donors for you to get a trans from, correct me but I think any W-body car of that year would work (3800 powered anyway). The TCC thing is most common in the LS4 powered vehicles (GP GXP, IMP SS, Mont SS, Lacrosse Super) but can still happen to the 3800 powered machines.
 


im going to just try and disable the TC lockup and see how long it will last.
Thanks everyone.
So any 4t65e from a car with a n/a 3800 will bolt right in?
 
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