Hello

Is there any way to adjust the lock-up function of the AW-71L torque converter?
My wife's car spends only a second at most in 4th gear before the converter locks.

When I say 4th gear, I mean the final gear before the converter locks.
It's almost like having a 5 speed transmission with the locking converter.
The only problem is I have no control of the converter shift point.

This happens during normal accleration from 0 to 55 MPH.
I live on a mountain, and it's kind of a problem not being able to keep the car in 4th gear when climbing hills.

The only option that I have now is to keep the transmission locked in 3rd gear (out of OD).
This is really not a good solution at the speed I wish to drive, as the engine revs are kind of high.

If I start from stop and acclerate gradually to 40MPH, the transmission will remain in 4th gear as long as I don't exceed 40.
The moment I acclerate past this point, the converter locks.

From stop and acclerate quickly to 50MPH, the transmission won't remain in 4th gear. It's a smooth and sudden shift from 3rd through 4th to locked converter.

I can't cause the converter to unlock by using the throttle.
If I try and cause a kickdown (unlock) when climbing a hill, the transmission will shift back to 3rd gear, and it's a big jump from 4th gear with the converter locked back to 3rd gear.

This is the first car that I've owned with a locking torque converter.
I love it on long trips on flat ground, but it's kind of aggravating when going up and down hills.

It may be operating as designed....I don't know.
Any ideas?

thanks
steve