I installed a used 3200 midwest TC from a board member here and I am having some problems with it since start up. First it sounds like a bucket of rocks. Right after I start the car I can move in reverse and forward but after putting it in park and back to drive the car will not move at all until about 4000 rpm then its like 2 mph. Like the trans and motor are not connected.

I filled the TC with about 1/2 gallon of fluid before the install. I also had to pull the TC forward about an 1/8" to get it to sit flush with the flexplate so I am sure it was installed all the way into the trans. Is it possible that their is not enough fluid in it???

I can hear it turning while inside the car. Sort of like a ratttling noise. Maybe out of balance?? A bump converter some A-Hole sold me?? How long does it take for a TC to fill with fluid anyway?? Any advice would be helpful beside the fact of buying a used TC from someone else.

Thxs
JD

 

Is it bolted to the flywheel? Check the fluid again, how does it smell? Is it clear? Any metal in it?

 

I took the inspection cover off and all looks well. Bolts all tight. Fluid is light transparent red. Doesn't smell burnt or anything. I suppose I can drop the pan and check for metal. I want to think that the converter is not full of fluid if that is possible.

 

shift cable adjustment? by going back to park then back to gear it must be that...

 

another possiblity is that the gap between the flywheel and converter was too large resulting in the converter pulling off the pump when you bolted it up, I know a friend this happened to. he had to put washers inbetween.
Good luck

 

I guess I will try the washer thing. I know I can get 1/8" of washers in there.
I hope this thing doesn't grenade my trans.

Datamaster reports the shifter going into the various gears so I do not think it's the shifter cable.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I am going to just look at it for a couple of days and think about it before I get under that bitch again.

JD

 

I really haven't heard of someone using washers with a midwest converter.

It's typical after the converter is mated for it to pull forward 1/8" or so from the furthest back point to mate to the flexplate.

I think you may have gotten screwed.

 

Are you sure your fluid is topped off in the trans??? Low fluid can cause these symptoms.

 

You know, I have always had a problem getting good readings on the dipstick, unlike the oil. Put I think it's full.

I did not spill a drop during the TC swap and I filled the new TC with almost a 1/2 gallon of fluid before the install and not a drop of that leaked out either. Strange I know, and so unlike me not to cover the floor with fluid.

It does sound (literally) like the TC does not have fluid in it through. Will the trans fill the TC up with fluid by just running the car??

 

yes the trans pump will fill the converter with fluid. The converter holds alot... a half gallon is only 2 qts... full system capacity is like 12-14qts. You could be low on fluid. Check that again. I dont know about the bucket of rocks noise though.... it shouldnt be making noise even if its low.

 

My guess is you didn't have the converter all the way in the pump, and you broke the pump rotor. This will give you a "no move", and a noise that you're explaining.

Pull a cooler line and see if it's pumping fluid.

Frank
CPT

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I pulled a line off my trans cooler and started the car. Fluid started shooting out of there like crazy. I think the pump is good.

The fluid level is good too. I did note that when I first start the car cold and just let it idle I do not hear any noise. After a few mins the rumbling starts. In fact when the car is cold it will move back and forward in the driveway but after a few times it will not. Something is happening when it warms up or runs for a few mins.

I did remove the flex plate during the tc install to fix a oil leak. I replaced the bolts with 12pt ARPS. Maybe the flexplate is not flush with the block?? I am pretty good about evenly tightening bolts though.

Thanks again guys. I think I will try rotating the TC one bolt over and rebolting it. I read a site that says that may fix some vibration problems. Then I may try the washer thing but since my pump is working would that be needed?

JD

 

Thank you again to all that replied. I have done a few things and it's getting better.

I removed the poly trans mount and put the stocker back in. The vibration noise is completely gone. No more noise at all. The noise was not the TC after all. It was the mount.

The car still will not move unless I rev the hell out of it and then it moves just a little. You can not even tell it changes gears with the shifter. Like it is super soft or something.

As I was reving the motor to get it back into the shop, the service engine light came on. I hooked up Datamaster and it set a DTC 24 code. I think it said "trans speed low" Does that ring a bell with anyone?

JD

 

Given by his install description of having to pull the converter forward about 1/8" to mate to the flexplate, it sounds as though it's on as far as it can go.

Every tranny swap / converter install I have done has been done that way. Mount the converter on, you hear what is like 3 "clicks" when it engages all the way, mate the trans to the block, bolt up, then pull the converter forward a little bit (about 1/8") till it mates to the flexplate. I've done 4 or 5 installs in this manner and it's always been the correct way.

 

if your shifter feels soft move the shifter linkage by hand at the trans with the cable disconnected. it soulf click with the gears. if it does not the nut inside the pan came of the shift shaft. seen that before. broke the ears off a trans oil pump before(college drunkin mistake). trans would pump out cooler lines but not any amount of considerable pressure. drove truck for three miles slipping to college. trans was shot. hook up a pressure gauge to the pressure ports just to be sure before condeming the converter. if not you probably have a broken converter on the inside