Torque Convertor lock up instal

[Rusty62]

Installed out fiirst test unit last night. Works as planned, push button to lock and brake pedal to unlock. Have a issue with a ecu alarm but think we have a fix for this. More after the weekend.
Would like to have it sorted before Easter to test towing.

Rusty.

[chardo]

Hi all, looks like there is a nice little market opening up here. I definitely haven't got it to construct one of these little beauties, but I do need one for my van towing, ( hopefully not too far away now). All I want is a very simple one with a switch on it if someone can help out.

RanJ, I gave the Prado R/H side bumper and wheel a good dose of Xtra Cut polish and Chardo looks like new. She will get a all wheel alignment on Thursday, but I am quietly confident nothing has shifted as in the way it steers when I let the steering go on the open highway. She needs a few plastic clips on the mudguard flare and brand new. Wat a rig. I luv it. ( but it needs a torque converter lock up kit to make it complete. Better go. Take care, Cheers Bill.

[RanJ]

Rusty62
Hi Rusty, I think I could live with that, My nephew fitted a lock up kit to his 200 series from Wholesale Autos and that is all they have, he said it is all good. Your last bit sounds good though.
We nearly didn't have a prado to fit a switch to as driving into Darwin yesterday a chap in a flash black commodore shot out on a intersection and "T" boned us in the R/h rear wheel, spinning us 180 degrees back into oncoming traffic. Bugger all damage, will need to have a wheel alignment to check rear end though. Tough machines, Holden came off a bit worse losing front bumper assembly and a few bits. Anyway all seems good so we will catch you up later. Cheers mate, Bill.

It seems when it comes Toyotas and Holden... The Holden really proves it's just holding together... 10 years ago, I was leaving my house in my VT Clubsport and acting a bit of a goat I gave it a bit of a squirt as I left my driveway forgetting about the fresh gravel I just smoothed out. Car steps out, traction kicks in and launches me head on into my fathers 6 month old Camry. I was doing maybe 10kmh when I got him. Destroyed my front bar, bent the rebar and radiator support. Camry? All it had was the imprint of my licence plate on its bumper... nothing else.

Yes I deserved it, but bugger me dead... the damage to the Holden still can't believe it today!

Anyway, back on topic, I have a customer who actually spotted this thread and has enquired to me about it. Looks like I have 14 pages of reading to do!

[BigFoot120]

Have been watching this thread with interest. So much so on the weekend measured voltages and current for the lock up function. Lucky for me my son is an electrical engineer.

So far all the wiring diagrams from suppliers have been wrong or not for my VX 120 series. We found the wires on the gearbox and traced them back to the ecu. From there we measured voltage - anywhere from 1/2 lock @ 3.048 volts 0.564 amps and through to full lock at 6.78 volts 1.016 amps.
Now to design the relay to make it work. Something about a DPDT latching relay and a 25 watt load resister powered from an external 12 v source. Momentary push to lock and brake light power to unlock.

If it works might do up a kit and sell them.

Rusty.

"So far all the wiring diagrams from suppliers have been wrong or not for my VX 120 series"
Are you using the original Toyota wiring diagrams? If so I'm surprised. I've found them to be 99% accurate.
Make sure you have the right version circuit. Their manual is fairly complex to drive until you get used to it.
Here's the full manual: http://moranbahweather.com/toyota/
View with IE. Other browsers don't work on this site.
Bob

[BigFoot120]

You guys are making me jealous with all this gallivanting around. I'm still grounded for another 6 months yet.
I've just finished bench testing the MATCU after completing the software for the Manual and TCC Locker modes.
If all goes well, and the ECU doesn't complain with fault codes, my auto release TCC locker will be looking for a home if anybody want's it. Here's it's details: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/eq3pu6e7f...OomAu6lra?dl=0

Cheers all
Bob

[Rusty62]

Lucky you didn't end up sunny side down. If you can find a wheel aligned who will check the rear axle if it is bent.

Was in Darwin last year. Great place. Will be in Katherine end June on our way to Broome.

Rusty.

[chardo]

Rusty62
Hi Rusty, I think I could live with that, My nephew fitted a lock up kit to his 200 series from Wholesale Autos and that is all they have, he said it is all good. Your last bit sounds good though.
We nearly didn't have a prado to fit a switch to as driving into Darwin yesterday a chap in a flash black commodore shot out on a intersection and "T" boned us in the R/h rear wheel, spinning us 180 degrees back into oncoming traffic. Bugger all damage, will need to have a wheel alignment to check rear end though. Tough machines, Holden came off a bit worse losing front bumper assembly and a few bits. Anyway all seems good so we will catch you up later. Cheers mate, Bill.

[Rusty62]

Bill
The only issue i see is if you forget to turn the switch off you will stall the engine when stopped. Maybe a system when under 60kph the system reverts to original ECU control.

Rusty.

[chardo]

Rusty62
Hi Rusty, I have been watching this area for quite a while too. Jamie set up a system like what you are onto with the "mom button" and Mark set up with just a switch. I am looking at just a switch so I am able to use the brake pedal if needed on a long downhill run with the caravan in tow, while still using the lock up as brake with the engine. I am waiting to see what Mark will do with his when he gets everything spot on and if he will make a few kits as the price to buy one is just unreal. Something like $475 + postage. If Mark updates his system on site I may have a go at building one for my beast. Anyway good to see someone else at it too. Take care , Cheers Bill.

[Rusty62]

Have been watching this thread with interest. So much so on the weekend measured voltages and current for the lock up function. Lucky for me my son is an electrical engineer.

So far all the wiring diagrams from suppliers have been wrong or not for my VX 120 series. We found the wires on the gearbox and traced them back to the ecu. From there we measured voltage - anywhere from 1/2 lock @ 3.048 volts 0.564 amps and through to full lock at 6.78 volts 1.016 amps.
Now to design the relay to make it work. Something about a DPDT latching relay and a 25 watt load resister powered from an external 12 v source. Momentary push to lock and brake light power to unlock.

If it works might do up a kit and sell them.

Rusty.

[chardo]

MRW82
Hi Mark, hi all, I was wondering if you would be able to do an update of your project as on "page 8" with the extra resistors and all. Have you done anymore testing since last letter. Main question, have you thought of making a few up for pocket money???? Im sure there are a few watching and waiting. All the best, cheers Bill.

[smally]

Sounds good! I really need to do something, had a minor 'brown moment' today on the highway when passing a B double. On the wrong side of the road at 100kph with the trans kicked down into 3rd & not accelerating is no fun. Hard to back off to get it to upshift when there is a car closing on you at 200kph!!

[BigFoot120]

Got all my bits for the MATCU from O/S now so no excuses. I've posted a few more pics of the paddle switches, wireless receiver and the PCB layout.
Should be writing code in about a week.

Cheers All
Bob

[BigFoot120]

Be nice (and therefore expensive no doubt) to have the manual mode incorporated in the shifter, much like a BA Falcon & others where you flick the lever across into manual mode and shift up & down sequentially.

Mine won't be expensive, however there will be a lot of time involved in developing the software but I have that at the moment. I'm somewhat grounded from going bush for a few months yet.

I'll be building mine on vero-board using soldered wire wrap wire and thru hole components as I usually do for prototypes.
I'll try to show vero-board track cut detail so it can be copied if anyone is keen enough. A PCB would be nicer of course.

I've already posted the circuits and currently working on the software requirements, which I am posting as I go, in case anyone has some suggestions in terms of functionality. For example, I've recently included a TCC locker function. If anyone can think of any other nice features I would appreciate hearing from them.
I'll post the software and how to program it as well, once I'm happy with it all.

The circuits are looking a little complex but there's nothing expensive there.
The RS232 port hardware could be omitted as it's only to assist me with software development.
The PicKit3 programmers are around $50 on eBay. The processors are under $10. The only other expensive part is the 4 channel wireless receiver and sender for the home made poly-carbonate paddles. Again eBay is the source. $13.47 gets you this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/361154396...84.m1439.l2648

Mine will cost around $100 by the time I'm done.
Still a few more parts coming from O/S before I can get into the PCB assembly.

Once again this is the link to documents: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/s97o8wisy...oT8OSzFDa?dl=0

There are a lot to go yet and probably many revisions to those already done.

Cheers all
Bob

[smally]

Be nice (and therefore expensive no doubt) to have the manual mode incorporated in the shifter, much like a BA Falcon & others where you flick the lever across into manual mode and shift up & down sequentially.