PTU Solenoid
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Amateur
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Sumner
PTU Solenoid
Greetings all,
I need to pick the collective brain here. I have finished my rebuild and hope to reinstall the Tranny either this weekend or next. As I went over my list of todo's I got to thinking about the PTU solenoid, (don't ask why that's just the way my brain works). I did some reading online and in the manual and this is what I discovered.
The PTU solenoid is designed to unlock the torque converter during part throttle acceleration, meaning harder than normal driving and less than full kickdown. The PTU is controlled via the spark control computer, in a stock 3.9 ltr based on feed back from various sensors. the solenoid is controlled by a relay which when given the proper signal, from the spark control closes and energizes the solenoid closing the passage and allowing the TC to unlock. ( if I have this wrong please correct me).
now here is the question since my truck was upgraded to a 318, with natural aspiration and since I didn't do the upgrade I don't know if it still relies on the spark control computer or not and if not how does the PTU solenoid know when to unlock.
How have the rest of you who went to the 318 dealt with this. I am concerned about frying the new TC if I kick it down and it doesn't unlock.
any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Jake
I need to pick the collective brain here. I have finished my rebuild and hope to reinstall the Tranny either this weekend or next. As I went over my list of todo's I got to thinking about the PTU solenoid, (don't ask why that's just the way my brain works). I did some reading online and in the manual and this is what I discovered.
The PTU solenoid is designed to unlock the torque converter during part throttle acceleration, meaning harder than normal driving and less than full kickdown. The PTU is controlled via the spark control computer, in a stock 3.9 ltr based on feed back from various sensors. the solenoid is controlled by a relay which when given the proper signal, from the spark control closes and energizes the solenoid closing the passage and allowing the TC to unlock. ( if I have this wrong please correct me).
now here is the question since my truck was upgraded to a 318, with natural aspiration and since I didn't do the upgrade I don't know if it still relies on the spark control computer or not and if not how does the PTU solenoid know when to unlock.
How have the rest of you who went to the 318 dealt with this. I am concerned about frying the new TC if I kick it down and it doesn't unlock.
any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Jake
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 285
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From: Mesa, AZ
Chrysler uses the PCM to engage the torque converter clutch (TCC)/PTU solenoid. I don't know what you mean by "318 natural aspiration" other than maybe you switched to a carburetor/glorified toilet bowl, since ALL Dakotas are naturally aspirated because none of them came turbo or supercharged. If you did switch to a carburetor and ditched your PCM then you have no means to turn on the TCC/PTU unless you hook it up to a switch. So in short you will not hurt you torque converter by not having the TCC/PTU engaged, you're just going to get worse gas mileage by not engaging the TCC.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
well potentiallly it willl heat up the tranny more if your on highway and will shorten its life so a better cooler/ higher end il would be better in this case .. but otherwise should be fine..
im dealing with a similar issue with irratic behaviour of the 4th/TC lock up/no cruise and i will tell you doing 60-65km/h im around the 2k mark and costs me about $1.22 for every km i drive
so i do advise modifying that setup, i found info online to wire up a manual way to engage with switches
im dealing with a similar issue with irratic behaviour of the 4th/TC lock up/no cruise and i will tell you doing 60-65km/h im around the 2k mark and costs me about $1.22 for every km i drive
so i do advise modifying that setup, i found info online to wire up a manual way to engage with switches