Tech
Talk
Geo® Tracker® TCC Problem
Bored and stuck in
rush hour traffic last Friday afternoon, I was cruising the FM radio dial,
searching for something different to listen to. I happened upon this question
and answer type automotive talk show that sounded interesting. Here is
how the show unfolded.
Mike: "Good
afternoon, I'm Mike Mallory and welcome to Tech Talk. It's the radio talk
show that lets vehicle owners pose their difficult vehicle repair questions
to special guest automotive technicians. Today, let's welcome our special
guest technician from Al's A-Plus Auto Repair, Alan Spanner."
Alan: "Thanks
Mike, it's great to be here. I have really been looking forward to doing
today's show."
Mike: "Well,
I'm sure you have Alan. How about telling us a little about Al's A Plus
Auto Repair?"
Alan: "I've
been in business for 15 years and have four very talented technicians
working with me. We use the ALLDATA® automotive information system
in the shop and it really helps us repair and service a wide range of
vehicles. In fact, I brought my laptop computer with me and I can easily
access ALLDATA® through the Internet. I thought it would be a great
resource to help answer questions today."
Mike: "Great
Alan. Let's take today's first call. It's Pete who owns a 1994 Geo®
Tracker® that has a driving problem. Hello Pete. You're on the air.
Could you describe the symptoms you're experiencing to Alan?"
Pete: "Sure,
thanks Mike. Hi Alan."
Alan: "Hi
Pete. So what seems to be the problem?"
Pete: "Well,
my 1994 Geo® Tracker® starts bucking and jerking when the engines
at normal operating temperature, the automatic transmission is in 3rd
gear, at approximately 40-45 mph on a level road or a slight grade. But
mostly it occurs when I'm driving uphill. The engine speed is approximately
2500-2700 rpm with the throttle opening at approximately 10 - 50 percent."
Alan: "Okay
Pete. That's a great detailed description. Let me check my ALLDATA®
to see if there is a factory technical service bulletin addressing that
problem. Here's one that matches what you're describing exactly. The vehicles
affected are 1989-1995 Geo® Trackers® using the Hydra-matic 3L30
automatic transmission. The bulletin states that under the conditions
you described, the rapid, repeated application and release of the torque
converter clutch (TCC) may cause the bucking or jerking sensation. This
concern is due to Governor Pressure Switch instability when the vehicle
speed is constant and the torque converter clutch is applied."
Pete: "So,
what's the fix Alan?"
Alan: "Well
Pete, the bulletin goes on to say that the correction is to install a
"Time Delay Module Kit", Geo® part number 96041311, into
the torque converter clutch (TCC) relay circuit and here's the procedure…
First, disconnect
the battery. (Figure 2)
Second, disconnect
the green connector from the TCC relay. (Figure)
Third, disconnect
the white wire from the green connector. Remove the terminal carefully
with a narrow screwdriver. (Figure 1)
Fourth, connect the
white wire to the Time Delay Module and wrap it with electrical tape.
Install the red wire from the Time Delay Module into the open terminal
of the green TCC relay connector. (Figure 4)
Fifth, reconnect the
green connector to the TCC relay and install the TCC relay onto the relay
center. (Figure 4)
And lastly, clip the
Time Delay Module onto the A/C fan relay.
(Figure 3)
There's a special
note at the end that says if the vehicle is not equipped with air conditioning,
install the rubber connector from the kit onto the fuse box tab and then
clip the Time Delay Module onto the rubber connector. That should take
care of your problem."
Pete: "Thanks
so much for your help Alan and thanks for hosting a such great show Mike."
Mike: "You're
welcome Pete. Well, that's all the time we have this afternoon. Join us
tomorrow when we'll have Lefty Parsons, the one-armed automotive diagnostic
expert, here to answer your difficult vehicle repair questions. Until
then, this is Mike Mallory saying, good day and happy motoring."
