I'd like to combine the loose threads out there on Automatic Transmission Lock Up Switch....

So, Questions are:

1. What are the uses/applications for the lock up switch?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a lock up switch?
3. What is the difference between a 2 way lock up switch and a 3 way lock up switch?
4. How can one wire the lock up switch (basic and specific instructions with pictures)?
5. Are there other products that are available to accomplish the lock up without building your own kit?
6. How exactly should one operate the switch for each of the above uses?
7. Other comments?

I'm sure others will appreciate this thread as well as myself.

 

Lock up switch has many uses, from drag racing to sled pulling or hauling loads.

Drag racing to lock the converter so the transmission will shift with the converter locked, same principle for sled pulling. In sled pulling you can also unlock the converter near the end of the run to help gain some rpms for a further pull.

Hauling loads the lock up switch is mainly used for engine braking going down hills.

 

a simple way to wire it, without pics is to get the orange wire with the black stripe from the center plug on the computer under the hood (on firewall behind where hte stock air box would be) splice into that wire, dont' cut it. and run it inside the truck to a 2 way switch. Run the other part from the switch to a good ground. Then you need to add a jumper in your fuse box under the hood. A jumper is just a wire with two male ends.

A more simplified explanation would be found here....:
http://www.tstproducts.com/Torque%20...p%20Switch.pdf

Hope that helps anyone wanting to, or interested in doing this.

Might want to add that it should not be ran all the time, and should be switched on after the transmission is in 2nd gear.

 

There are various control boxes on the market that will control lockup. ATS, Suncoast and BD are some of the manufactures.

The difference with a 3 way vs. a 2 way is that on a 3 way switch you'll have a position where the converter won't lock at all. This is used for cruising slowly through town to prevent converter lock up to maintain a decent rpm. It really comes in handy if you have large injectors to help reduce smoke.

 

Mike D, I would like to wire in a 3 way switch for exactly that reason, do you know where I can find those insructions? Thanks.

 

IIRC the only difference in directions that was posted above is to cut the wire instead of tapping into it. You have to wire opposite side of the switch to each end of the cut wire. On side of the switch will be regular/stock lock up, the other side will be forced lock up and the middle will be no lock up. Hope that makes sense.

Below is Mcmopar's picture of directions.

 

I think that makes sense, so all I need to do is add a second wire from the tapped wire to a 3 way switch and attach one wire to the top and one wire to the bottom and the ground wire to the middle. I cut my wire instead of tapping it anyway, I didn't see the difference. Thanks!

 

I would like to bump this thread and ask a question, why cant you just switch positions on the switch to use a light up one? put 12V to the ground spot, your spliced in wire to the load side of the switch, and ground the positive side of the switch?