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If the torque converter slips while driving, this can lead to unnecessary heating of the transmission fluid, which at some point can even become so hot that it boils.

A slipping torque converter will wear out the transmission very quickly. In some cases, you may have temperature sensors that cause the transmission control unit light on your dashboard to flash, which indicates that your torque converter is slipping and overheating the transmission. Check whether you can feel or hear strange noises from the torque converter both when idling and accelerating. Listen in the middle of the car under the gear stick to see if you can hear knocking or other strange sounds.

If you hear any noises, lift the car and check if other things could be causing the noises before replacing the torque converter. The torque converter is the unit that gently transmits power from the engine to the transmission gears.

The more it rotates, the more pressure it creates inside the unit, and the more power is transferred from the engine to the transmission. For example, if you run two fans against each other and start one of the fans, the other fan will also begin to rotate, but not directly at the speed the other fan has. This is precisely how a torque converter works. As you can probably figure out, this gives you a very smooth power transmission between the engine and the wheels. When it comes to torque converters, some common problems can be encountered.

In general, the torque converter is not a very advanced part of older vehicles, and there are not many parts that could fail. A widespread problem is that the bearings in the torque converters are worn. This does not cause slippage or other transmission problems but can cause bearing noises from the transmission. If you hear bearing noises from the transmission, check the transmission fluid, and see if you can see metal parts inside the transmission fluid.

If you find metal parts, they are probably from a defective torque converter bearing. A faulty seal of the torque converter will cause the transmission fluid to leak out of the torque converter, and thus the pressure inside the converter will be lost. Low pressure inside the torque converter will cause slippage, overheating, and other strange symptoms.

This is actually one of the most common problems when it comes to a faulty torque converter. There are several clutches in a torque converter. If the torque converter is locked in the drive or idling gear and does not release the transmission, you most likely have a problem with the converter clutch. A faulty torque converter clutch can also cause other symptoms such as slipping and rough acceleration.

The torque converter clutch solenoid is a common part that fails within the automatic transmission. The solenoid valve controls the fluid pressure of the hydraulic transmission, which enters the lock-up clutch. There are not many things you can do to test the torque converter without taking it apart. But there is a way to check the torque converter for signs of wear.

This can take a long time, and it is recommended to check the temperature of the transmission oil with a diagnostic scanner to make sure that the transmission oil is warm.

Now you can try to apply the drive gear and listen carefully if you can hear any signs of noise from the torque converter. The torque converter should move the car forward with just a light touch of the accelerator pedal. Shift between the other gears Drive and Sport, if you have it to see if you can hear any other sounds from it. If everything seems to be fine, you can go on to the next step.

Keep an eye on the tachometer and speedometer. If the car revs up significantly without actually accelerating, the torque converter is slipping.

All older automatic transmissions slip a bit when accelerating, but if you have owned the car for a while, you probably know how much it should slip. If you are not sure, let a mechanic test drive your car and see if he hears any noise or can feel slipping. Some older American cars have a cover plate that you can remove to inspect the torque converter.

But even with them, you will not see much because the torque converter is a sealed unit. I do always recommend to remove the torque converter from the transmission to diagnose it properly.

The transmission does often have to be removed to replace or inspect the torque converter for any problems. To replace the torque converter, it will take between hours, depending on your skills and experience. A good repair manual will save you both time and money. Check out the best options here. Magnus is the owner and main author of MechanicBase.

He has been working as a mechanic for over 10 years, and the majority of them specialized in advanced diagnostics and troubleshooting. Certified Automotive Diagnostic Technician. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots.

Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Towing Capacity. Towing Capacity Information. How Torque Converters Work. Antique illustration of adaptor transmission gearbox. The Basics " ". The torque converter is situated between the engine and the transmission.

Inside a Torque Converter " ". The parts of a torque converter left to right : turbine, stator, pump. Pump Turbine Stator Transmission fluid. How the parts of the torque converter connect to the transmission and engine. The pump section of the torque converter is attached to the housing.

The torque converter turbine: Note the spline in the middle. This is where it connects to the transmission. The Stator " ". The stator sends the fluid returning from the turbine to the pump.

This improves the efficiency of the torque converter. Note the spline, which is connected to a one-way clutch inside the stator. Benefits and Weak Points In addition to the very important job of allowing your car come to a complete stop without stalling the engine, the torque converter actually gives your car more torque when you accelerate out of a stop.

What causes a torque converter to fail? Most of the time, torque converters fail due to excessive friction, which also means that the torque converter's needle bearings may be damaged. In addition, faulty clutch solenoids or seals may also be the source of the problem.

What are the symptoms of a failing torque converter? When your torque converter starts to fail, you may feel the vehicle vibrating or perhaps even slipping during an override. Your vehicle may also vibrate when it isn't moving that fast and make the car lag very noticeably. What does a bad torque converter sound like? Make 78, conversions with easy-to-use, accurate, and powerful measure unit calculator. Instantly add a free Torque Converter Widget to your website It will take less than a minute, is as easy as cutting and pasting.

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