Hi everyone,
I have a 1996 Ford Escort LX with 213k miles on it. It has the F4EAT automatic transmission with overdrive. Over the past few months, I've noticed what appears to be my torque converter lockup clutch locking and unlocking at random, most noticeable at highway speeds (>50 mph). It seems to do it at slower speeds as well, as long as it's in overdrive, although the jump in RPM is less noticeable.
Due to the age and mileage on the car, I don't intend to fix/replace the torque converter and it's clutch. However, I wanted to know if there was a way to disable the lockup clutch, and if doing so could be dangerous to the transmission (ie. overheating due to extra slippage of the converter). If I can't disable it, is there any harm in having it locking/unlocking repeatedly? Also, I had been planning to take a vacation this Spring, which is on the order of 2,000 mi highway driving. Would you advise against taking the car such a long distance like that, or is the lockup issue no more than an annoyance?
And before anyone asks.. yes the fluid has been changed regularly and is at the correct level.
Thanks.