Disable Lock-Up?

I have a 2008 Impreza 2.5i 5 door automatic, 105,000 miles. I have been getting some vibration when the transmission shifts. A transmission shop identified the problem as being chatter in the torque converter, and they changed the fluid and put in an additive that is supposed to help the torque converter. This helped the problem some but it¹s still there. The shop estimated the cost of replacing the torque converter at approx. $1500.

A friend suggested that the problem might be just the lock-up, and said that in some cars the lock-up can be disabled by simple unplugging a connector or cutting a wire. Indeed the problem does not exist when in the sports mode, which he said probably disables the lock-up as well as moves the shift points.

So, does anyone here know if there is an easy way to disable the lock-up in this car, other than driving in the sports mode all the time? Thanks for your help.

Larry

Reply to
Larry Weil
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I would get an opinion from another shop. There can be problems with the front diff, the driveshaft carrier bearing or u-joint, etc. that might cause some vibration. Even people with aftermarket axles have had vibration when stopped but in gear.

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

I don't think the OP's problem is vibration when in gear and not moving - and there is NO WAY an aftermarket axle CAN cause a vibration while not in motion. ABSOLUTELY NO way. An improperly installed axle in some vehicles could cause a vibration (mounts torqued up when the axle was installed, etc -), but not the axle itself.

To me, a mechanic but not a soob or automotive transmission expert, it does sound like it COULD be a chattering lockup clutch in the converter. Could (possibly) be a number of other problems in the transmission as well.

Reply to
clare

There are reports of people , with automatic transmissions, AND rebuilt/aftermarket axles, that experience vibrations (perhaps 'shaking' is a better term) when stopped in gear. When they shift to neutral, the vibration stops. Evidently, the tripod/DOJ joints are loose or some other component will vibrate from the minimal forward pressure put on the diff by the auto-tranny. Certainly a stick can't do this.

Reply to
1 Lucky Texan

Better than 90% of the time if there is a vibration in neutral after a transmission is replaced or remounted (often occurs when axle shafts are replaced) the problem is a twisted mount or a missing mass vibration damper on a mount.

Reply to
clare

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