A lock up chatter can happen to any car that uses a lock up torque converter. Except for a very few truck models, every thing has a lock up in it nowadays, even big trucks..
The TF-604 is notorious for developing lock up problems in the converter. The Caravan which uses a TF-604 turns the engine light on and has a code P-0740 stored in the computer when you have a lockup problem.
The most common indicator of a lock up torque converter problem is a feeling of running over a washboard in the road at 40 to 55 miles per hour. Some cases are so harsh you feel like your teeth are being shaken out of your head. A lock up chatter has fooled many people. Most folks immediately think the engine has a miss in it. I don’t blame them for it, that is a real problem too, somewhat more common than a torque converter chatter.
The expert that speaks with you at GotTransmissions.com will ask you if you had your car diagnosed first. They do not want to sell you something you don’t need.
The other lock up condition not seen as much any more is when you are coming to a stop, the lock up mechanism does not release and it feels like you are driving a standard transmission and forgot to push the clutch in when you come to a stop. It lugs the engine very hard, than violently stalls the engine. In most cases that type pf converter problem is not really the converter but the lockup solenoid.
That being said, once you have had the problem diagnosed, if it turns out to be the first problem, a washboard effect, the first thing that should be recommended is to lower the transmission pan as in a maintenance and inspect it for contamination. If there is not enough contamination to worry about, in most of the cases a transmission fluid change using genuine original equipment factory automatic transmission fluid is my first move.
What is happening is the clutch in the torque converter is slipping and setting up a chattering feeling. Most of the time, at least if the pan is clean of debris, doing a maintenance is the best avenue to take. The factory ATF has all the proper additives in it to eliminate the problem if nothing is damaged. The deal about using factory fluids is that they have the proper additive in it. In this case the additive is a friction modifier. And more than likely the additive is worn out, meaning the fluid needs to be changed.
The point of this blog, presented by GotTransmissions.com Blog is to get you in the habit of performing transmission maintenance on time, therefore never experiencing this problem and possibly never having a transmission problem at all.
