Need help- transmission

[Rowdyrod]

I recently had an auto trans put in my 94 V6 camry but the torque converter seal started leaking after. I had another shop pull the trans back out and change the seal. The problem is now the torque converter lockup is screwed up. It locks up VERY harshly now. With a big "bang!"
Especially at low throttle positions.
Does anyone know what causes that? I can't take it back until monday and need some info now.

[JohnGD]

So you're cruising down the road/highway at steady throttle, and then bang like a semi hit you?

Are other gear shifts butter smooth?

Are the throttle cable and linkage (going down to the transmission) properly adjusted?

[Rowdyrod]

At low throttle pressures all gears are rougher than normal. At hard acceleration, the gears are smooth like normal but lock up is quite harsh. Its more like a "bang!", especially if I back off the gas.

I cannot say if the cables are adjusted properly as The mechanic was the one who put it all back together.

[JohnGD]

Sounds like a possibility is the misadjusted throttle linkage. This probably caused a higher than normal ATF line pressure which resulted in rough shifts for all gears.

Can you take a picture of the cables at the throttle body?

Look at message #43 here, you should see 0-1mm of the cable stake out of the rubber boot when the throttle is fully closed. Toyota uses a throttle plate opener to prop the plate slighly open, so you'll have to manually close it by turning/pressing on that round wheel thing.
'00 5s-fe loose throttle valve cable, how is yours ?

[Rowdyrod]

Thank you John, I think I get the idea here. I can take a pic tommorow, its dark and araing here now. Can I used photo bucket to post a pic on here?

[JohnGD]

You can use any of the photo upload sites. Just click on the "Insert Image" icon (the icon picture with mountains).

[Rowdyrod]

Thanks John, I will get back here tommorow and let you know whats up.

[Rowdyrod]

John,
I looked at the cable and saw that the metal ball was about 2mm outside the rubber boot. So I did not take pics. I adjusted it to the 1mm as suggested. That was better, but lock up still a bit too harsh. I then adjusted it to where the ball is even with the rubber boot. Thats better, but I don't remember lock up being that harsh. All gears are normal and feel good on shifts. Can I adjust that cable a bit more as long as the shifts don't go soft?

[Rowdyrod]

I found out you can keep adjusting the trans cable as sometimes the mechanic forgets to undo the cable at the engine and the cable cover gets stretched out. I adjusted the cable until I felt the converter lock up was acceptable. All gears are shifting well with no slippage.

[JohnGD]

Well, the best way is to measure the ATF line pressure, because who knows how the cable was messed around while pulling the engine/tranmission.

I'd probably just leave it at 0mm and use Walmart SuperTech Mercon-V (suitable for Dexron-III applications) the next time. See if that helps.

Because if the line pressure is too low then it puts more wear and tear on the clutch packs.