Buick Torque Conv Locked on.

Hey Gentlemen, I have a 2001 Buick century with the 3.1L Engine. 130K, Driving in hilly, curvy roads. Car hicuped, studdered, fish bite?? Check engine light came on. Tested codes and it read "Torque Converter Switch locked on". Is this the Switch or the soleonoid. Checked at Autozone and they refered to it as a soleonoid and said its OEM. (Before I run out and fall victim to a bunch of stuff I don't need from the GM parts department). Any suggestions? Additional tests? and what parts do I need? Switch, Solenoid, Access gasket, Dextron III? Thanks for your help.

Welcome to AF.

Whoa...not so fast. :eek: Post the DTC code you were getting. When was the last tranny service. ATF and screen filter?

You are aware that replacing the TCC-PWM solenoid is not typically a DIY job. You will need to drop the engine and autotransaxle on the subframe and tilt it to get the side cover assembly off. Requires hoist equipment and knowledge of the other parts that must be removed first.

Hmmm, cant be any harder than changing coil packs! HA. When it first started happening I changed the Trans Filter, was good for 2 days then back again.
As for codes, no codes came up, it said on the screen "Torque Convertor Switch locked on" Should I do the paperclip trick and get back to you?
Also, my father in law is very mechanically inclined, has hoist, wench, (and backhoe if needed). Brother in law works for CAT. If they dont want to attempt I will take it to the tranny shop.

Thats funny. Whatever scanner was used a DTC code should have displayed and it sounds like the scanner has a translation problem related to programming and reading out DTC codes.

Here are four generic TCC related DTCs for a 4T65E autotransaxle:

P0719 - TCC Switch Circuit Low Input
P0724 - TCC Switch Circuit High Input
P0741 - TCC Stuck Off
P0742 - TCC Stuck On

BTW - The paperclip trick doesn't work on an odb-ii GM car. You could remove the battery negative cable overnight and then see what it does.

Extended GM codes below require a scanner capable of reading out these codes:

P1860 - TCC PWM Solenoid Electrical
P1887 - TCC Release Switch Circuit Malfunction

P0742 according to Advanced. Learned a little about cars with a 95 Regal GS. Was fun (when things went well).HA

I have heard unpluging the torque converter solenoid can help. Not sure tho, had a similar problem with the grand am...it worked, but I only had the car for a few months afterwards before i rolled it. Never really stomped on it or anything so i dont know if I lost any torque. I probly wouldnt recomend it tho, nut you could try it if wanted. Check engine light will always be on if you do tho. Ive learned so much with my buick too...

I have a 2005 Buick Century. I have the same P1887 code but had no hickup. The light came on, went off, then back on again. I am going to the transmission shop tommorrow to have it serviced to see if they find anything before i go to GM.

I have a 2005 Buick Century. I have the same P1887 code but had no hickup. The light came on, went off, then back on again. I am going to the transmission shop tommorrow to have it serviced to see if they find anything before i go to GM.

Welcome to AF.

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