80e questions TCI

[gjp]

I cant get my laptop to talk to trans computer yet. think its my usb to serial addaptor. till i fix that I want to see if my tci is working ok. The truck moves and shifts. does the computer control the shifts? I dont fully understand the function of the computer. I just dont want to f-up anything. George please help. I will get it work eventualy but i want to drive my truck. I have about 12 quarts of fluid in it and still have not shifted past 2nd yet. under normal throttle it shifted from 1-2 around 25mph and at about 2500rpm?

 

[JSM]

Re: 80e questions TCI

Yes computer controls shifts, as well as a few other things.

for the tci the com port MUST be 1-4, verify in device manager what com port your usb to serial is coming in at.

 

[George Blake]

Re: 80e questions TCI

It sounds like you have accessed it at one point because it is supposed to shift at 11 mph under part throttle from 1st to 2nd. The program is different now.
If you did a "read" it changed the settings. Com port is most likely the issue. If you are having issues with a laptop, there's no way I can help with the laptop. Take the laptop back to them again and tell them your having trouble with the serial port and see if they can check that.

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

the lap top had no serial port. I am using a usb addaptor for my dm too. when i connected to tci it never read anything. it would say no "ecu found" or something like that. just connecting to laptop resets program??? that does not sound right. Every time i connect I lose my settings? my laptop just came back from the shop and verything checked out ok. i will check the manger to see what port its on. should be 3 or 4 i think. thanks guys.

If its not reading one sensor, like the throttle position, could that throw it off. I still have it just tapped into the wires. this was the first time i drove it out the driveway. I will solder the wires on today and try again. just dont want to mess up a 2500 trans.

 

[George Blake]

Re: 80e questions TCI

So you hooked up and attempted with a USB? It's possible the program was corrupted but not very likely. The main one that can glitch on a bad hookup is the number of cylinders. 4,6,8. Usually drops to 4 on a bad or glitchy kinda hookup. Kinda like when you get a bad datamaster read and you get an error while logging.
What the TCI unit does is takes tiss,toss,tire diameter, rear end gear ratio and rpm to derive road speed. The TPS is critical for it to know how much pressure and at what part throttle MPH to shift at. RPM shifting only becomes a factor at WOT. I set your a tad under 5000 rpm until your engine was ready to go. It's an easy thing to change. The TCI unit doesn't like the USB adaptors. I know a trick you can try if you get it back and the USB/serial adaptor is functioning correctly.

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

thanks george i will let you know how it goes. I was babying the trottle. it took me about 10 seconds to get to 25ish before it shifted. I was listening for other stuff too. could have been less though. my concern was if the computer was seing power or not but if its shifting i guess it is?
I will solder all the wires and go from there. I can say it shifts softer then the 700. Feels like my suburban but it has the 60e. The truck also vibrates at idle a bit, but thats probably the solid motor mounts. It does idle up for a second when I put it in D while cold? Cant wait to open her up.

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

took the truck out again. under part throttle 1-2 shifts at 16mph, 2-3 about 35.
1-2 shift is quick and soft. almost can miss it. 2-3 is a bit slower and more noticable. feels nothing like a 700.

 

[JSM]

Re: 80e questions TCI

You are correct an 80e does not feel like a 700, but that is a very good thing.

Once you get into more throttle you will notice the shifts become firm but not harsh.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: 80e questions TCI

took the truck out again. under part throttle 1-2 shifts at 16mph, 2-3 about 35.
1-2 shift is quick and soft. almost can miss it. 2-3 is a bit slower and more noticable. feels nothing like a 700.

You can't tell if or when it's shifting? Why can't you just watch the tach?

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

You can't tell if or when it's shifting? Why can't you just watch the tach?

Thats what I am doing. you can feel it, its just soft and smooth. I noticed its shifting sooner now that the trans is full.

 

[George Blake]

Re: 80e questions TCI

It's supposed to shift soft at part throttle. That's the beauty of the electronics. It was shifting late before because you were pumping foam and it delays the piston apply. Those clutches are huge in there. Hopefully they are OK. There is absolutely no need to have the trans beat itself to death when you are out cruising. As you get your engine issues behind you, start using more throttle and you will see a slight increase in road speed before shifting as well as an increase in shift feel. At WOT it will shift really crisp and quick. It's not that it shifts "softer" than a 700. The difference you are feeling is the difference in gear ratio of the 4L80e vs the 700 for the 1-2 change. Your drivetrain will reward you for it.

 

[George Blake]

Re: 80e questions TCI

One thing I forgot to tell you. Depending on percentage of throttle you give it, it will shift at a different MPH every time. So a lot of throttle will give a later shift than less throttle. It all in the tables if you can get the laptop to hook up to it. If you want it higher or lower, you can change all of that.

TCI controls line pressure, mph shift points, downshifts, rpm shift points at wot, everything. If you have a bad ground or voltage issues, it will act funny. Just like a device when the batteries start getting low. Keep checking fluid levels. Take fluid WITH you to put into it as it sucks more fuid up.

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

Trust me george I have been nothing but nice to this trans so far. I have taken it slow. Done just what you said. I had 11 quarts in it before I made it shift. 1-2 took up another quart. 2-3 did not take up much. I have yet to go past 3rd with 12.5 quarts in it so far. Not sure how much more it will take. I do have a low volt issue not to bad though. It wont go lower then 12.2 volts but used to be better.. Going to put a new battery in it this weekend. The red top optima is only 8 months old so it better be good.

 

[George Blake]

Re: 80e questions TCI

Please don't feel like I think your messing up. I'm just trying to head off problems before they happen. I don't think it acts up until you get under 11.5 volts so you should be fine.

 

[gjp]

Re: 80e questions TCI

I know. I am no mechanic. I listen to the pros. Thanks for all the help.