Tranny Pill Flip - Too Cold?

[SeekAndDestroy]

I have a 2018 with a 6.2 and 8L90. I flipped the transmission thermostat “pill” in the summer. This week has been cold, about -15*C. 
 

The tranny won’t lock the converter until the temp reads 20*C. I can drive in L7 or D and the same thing happens. It takes about 5 min of highway driving for it to reach 20, then the converter locks. 

I haven’t had any problems with it. Pill was flipped to keep it alive longer. I think cold is better than hot for any transmission. Am I running the tranny too cold? 

Edited January 31, 2021 by SeekAndDestroy

[CamGTP]

I think you mean lock and not unlock. The torque converter will lock in every gear on the 8 speed transmission but you are right it needs to reach a certain fluid temp to do so.

 

If the converter didn't unlock it wouldn't be driveable, it would stall on you and possibly hurt parts.

 

It's not too cold either, it's just fine. I rarely see over 110-120 degrees in the winter time during longer drives in the winter. (43-48C)

[SeekAndDestroy]

32 minutes ago, CamGTP said:

I think you mean lock and not unlock.

Thanks, lol, learned something today

[Grumpy Bear]

1 hour ago, SeekAndDestroy said:

I have a 2018 with a 6.2 and 8L90. I flipped the transmission thermostat “pill” in the summer. This week has been cold, about -15*C. 
 

The tranny won’t lock the converter until the temp reads 20*C. I can drive in L7 or D and the same thing happens. It takes about 5 min of highway driving for it to reach 20, then the converter locks. 

I haven’t had any problems with it. Pill was flipped to keep it alive longer. I think cold is better than hot for any transmission. Am I running the tranny too cold? 

No. 

[flyingfool]

you can always install a trans pan heater, but this might be beyond your expertise. 

how do you know its not locking, did you scan it while driving? i think 1st gear it locks at about 6 mph. they have lots of slip so you may not feel it even while locked up

[SeekAndDestroy]

On 2/2/2021 at 9:09 AM, flyingfool said:

how do you know its not locking, did you scan it while driving?

Didn’t have a scanner on it. I accelerate onto the highway in L7 and count 7 shifts. It’s revving at 2200 rpm, then as soon as the trans temp hits 20 degrees it “shifts” again and drops to about 2000 rpm. I thought this was the converter locking.

[flyingfool]

it can be in a gear, then lock in that same gear a second after.  it will feel like a shifted into the next gear but hasn't, its really just Locked up in the same gear , you got scan it on the HPT log screen with graphs on the trans pids

 

the TCC is simulating a 16 speed transmission by engaging every gear, GM's way of getting the MPG's up

Edited February 4, 2021 by flyingfool