2002 SE torque converter not locking up?

[Brunin]

I've got a 2002 Accord SE 4 cyl with 140k miles, with all general maintenance done and no mods. Just had the timing belt/water pump/shaft seals done, as well as a radiator flush.

Now, when driving 70 mph the RPMs are around 2750, and the car seems a bit louder than before. I can't tell you my exact RPMs at 70 beforehand, but they weren't this high. And I'm about positive that the torque converter isn't locking up for the proverbial 'kickdown' once I hit cruising speed. But it still runs and shifts smoothly otherwise.

I've read that the thermostat can be the culprit of this problem (and a nice cheap place to start my troubleshooting), so my question before I start tearing into things - could a radiator flush cause the t-stat to go bad? Should I have not done the flush? They basically threw it in since they were replacing the water pump.

I did a little checking last night when the engine was hot - the radiator hose attached to the thermostat was only kinda warm (I could keep my bare hand on it), while the other hose was super hot (couldn't touch for more than a second). Does this validate my bad thermostat diagnosis???

Thanks in advance for helping out a n00b here...

 

[Valet]

So you're saying the 4th gears overdrive isn't engaging? Because I thought mine was something around that....

 

[mkdb89-02se]

Sounds about right i can check were mine is at after work today

 

[Brunin]

Well, regardless of my current RPMs in 4th, yes there is no 'kickdown' overdrive feeling when I hit cruising speeds. And there always was before.

This has been my daily driver for years, and I could tell the afternoon that I picked it up from the shop... it was staying revved higher (and louder) on the highway in 4th.

Haven't called the shop yet, while they did a good job on the timing belt I just didn't get a warm and fuzzy feeling from them, and I'm more of a DIY'er when possible with basic tools.

 

[Valet]

That's weird.. I hate transmissions haha

 

[mkdb89-02se]

Have u checked all connections to the sensors and what not on the tranny

 

[Valet]

Maybe something to do with the tranny fluid?

 

[mkdb89-02se]

The lock up is a electronic issue(if torque converter isn't hinting that it might be going out) not like a vtec siliniod(spelled wrong but for life of me can't remember the spelling)

 

[Brunin]

Tranny fluid is good, all connections seem ok, haven't tested any voltage or anything yet.

No other shudders or signs of problems with the torque converter.

Like I said, my idea of the thermostat came from a few google search results, and from the fact that they did a coolant flush, which I think can possibly cause the thermostat to go bad.

I'll keep looking tonight, and maybe just take off the t-stat and heat it up in boiling water to see if it still works...

 

[BlkCurrantKord]

If they didn't "burp" the system, then there's probably still air trapped in there. Does your heat work?