1. The torque converter in an automatic transmission serves the same purpose as the clutch in a manual transmission. The engine needs to be connected to the rear wheels so the vehicle will move, and disconnected so the engine can continue to run when the vehicle is stopped.
2. Automatic transmissions, and the torque converters inside of them, are both filled with transmission fluid. If one of the many seals on the transmission fails, fluid could leak out and put your.
3. Torque Converter Get the Parts that Fit Filter your results by entering your Year, Make, Model to ensure you find the parts that fit your vehicle.

A torque converter is a coupling that relies on a fluid hydrodynamic to allow the engine to spin independently of the transmission. When the engine is idling, such as at a stop light, the amount of torque going through the torque converter is small, but still enough to require some pressure on the brake pedal to stop the car from creeping.

When you open up a torque converter, one of the components you will find inside is the torque converter clutch. This part of the converter exists to help it carry out its functions at an optimal level.

Table of Contents

• 1 What is a torque converter?
  • 1.1 Major parts of a converter
• 3 How the clutch works

What is a torque converter?

A torque converter is a device that transfers the engine torque to the input shaft of the car’s transmission. As a device located between the engine and the transmission, it also multiplies the engine torque. Regarded by many as a miracle of engineering, this device uses hydraulic pressure to perform its function. Making it a purely mechanical component of a vehicle.

In this article, we have a detailed explanation of torque converters. However, if you’re interested in learning about the symptoms of a bad torque converter, then you should read this article.

Major parts of a converter

There are five major parts of a torque converter; they are as follows.

The impeller pump

This is a centrifugal pump that moves the transmission fluid in a rotational pattern. As a part of the converter, it creates a vacuum that allows the fluid to enter the unit center. The fluid then moves outward, where it gets expelled.

Turbine

The turbine makes the transmission spin because of its connection to the vehicle’s transmission. It achieves this because of the fluid entering the turbine’s blades once it comes out of the pump. The movement of the fluid causes the turbine blades to spin, which in turn spins the transmission.

This action causes the vehicle to move.

C4 Transmission Torque Converter

Stator

The stator redirects the transmission fluid coming back from the turbine into the pump. Also regarded as a vital part of the converter because its function massively boosts the converter’s efficiency.

Clutch

At higher speeds, the clutch locks up the converter in such a way that it increases fuel efficiency.

The transmission fluid

The transmission fluid refers to the fluid that flows all through the torque converter. As such, it lubricates the various parts of the device as well as causing the turbine blades to spin.

Torque converter clutch

The clutch is a part of the torque converter that exists to lock the engine and transmission such that they rotate and the same pace. It forms a single connection between the engine and transmission that reduces the temperatures of the transmission fluid. Its function also boosts fuel mileage.

This connection prevents slippage by keeping the converter shell fixed in place with the turbine shaft. While slippage occurring at the coupling phase consumes more power, the clutch counters the slippage.

How the clutch works

The torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid receives a pulsed voltage signal from the transmission control module (TCM). This signal causes the solenoid to move the valve that in turn moves the transmission fluid –which is pressurized- to the circuit of the clutch.

When the vehicle is coming to a stop, applying the clutch is not a good thing. Because it causes it to behave like the clutch in a manual vehicle, it makes the vehicle stall. As soon as the driver disengages the torque converter clutch, the torque converter ensures that the engine keeps rotating without stalling.

Transmission Torque Converter Prices

To establish the one-on-one connection between the transmission and engine, there are pistons and a spring. These pistons are controlled hydraulically and, together with the spring, aid the clutch in making the connection.

Upon prompting by the pistons, the clutch disk comes into contact with the converter casing. This action causes the engine to lock into a mechanical connection that makes them rotate together.

When is the clutch engaged?

Because of its effect on the engine and transmission, the clutch only gets used at certain times. These periods are dependent on the temperature in that area and the vehicle speed.

All of these times are decided by the information gotten from the sensors. The information gotten is compared with the preset information before the torque converter clutch gets engaged or disengaged.

The various sensors and their functions

Transmission Torque Converter Replacement Cost

Symptoms of a bad torque converter clutch

The symptoms of a bad torque converter clutch include engine stalling, poor gas mileage, and slippage.

Since the clutch locks the engine and the transmission into a direct drive, as a result, a bad clutch can become unpredictable when locking the transmission and engine.

The torque converter clutch solenoid measures the pressure of the transmission fluid. It also regulates the amount of fluid reaching the lockup clutch. As a result of this, when the solenoid becomes damaged, it begins to give the required fluid’s wrong measures.

This effect causes abnormal and, in some cases, erratic fluid pressures. Cant download lates software on mac. As excess or inadequate fluid is bad for the converter, it causes poor gas mileage, slippage, and even engine stalling.

Cost of replacement

The cost of replacement is divided into two parts; if you choose to do it yourself or take it to a transmission shop.

Doing it yourself will cost you somewhere around $150 to $500. Because the device costs about $200 to $400 based on the vehicle model and about 5 – 9 hours of work, remember that you have to remove the vehicle’s transmission first before replacing the converter. Also, you will need to flush or totally change the transmission fluid.

If you choose to take your car to the repair shop, it will cost you around $600 to $1000. Although flushing and changing the transmission fluid might not be included in the amount, the shop will charge you.

Key takeaways

Below are the key points of this article. In the case that you don’t have enough time to go through the entire article.

• The torque converter clutch is a component of the converter.
• It locks the transmission and the engine into a direct drive. That means a one-on-one connection that makes the two rotate at the same speed.
• The clutch carries out its functions with hydraulic pistons, a spring, and various sensors.
• Damage to the clutch can lead to poor fuel mileage, engine stalling, and even slippage.

Automatic Transmission Torque Converters

Transmissions have always been complex systems, and they get more sophisticated every year. With the introduction of new technologies, such as CVT’s, dual-clutch, and semi-automatic – and transmissions with up to 10 gears – modern cars overall become more complicated. One thing that remains consistent is the torque converter. Its purpose is straightforward – transfer power, or torque, from the engine to the transmission.

Cars with automatic transmissions don’t have clutches, so they need a way to let the engine keep turning while the wheels and gears in the transmission come to a stop. Manual transmission cars use a clutch that disconnects the engine from the transmission. Automatic transmissions use a torque converter. A torque converter is a coupling that relies on a fluid hydrodynamic to allow the engine to spin independently of the transmission. When the engine is idling, such as at a stop light, the amount of torque going through the torque converter is small, but still enough to require some pressure on the brake pedal to stop the car from creeping. When you release the brake and step on the gas, the engine speeds up and pumps more fluid into the torque converter, causing more power (torque) to be transmitted to the wheels.

Getting the Power from Engine to Transmission

Impeller

Inside the torque converter are three main parts. The first part of the assembly is called the impeller, also known as the pump. It is filled with fluid and it spins with the engine crankshaft. The faster it spins, the more force is created as the fluid flows through it faster and harder.

Turbine

Transmission Torque Converter Cost

The impeller forces the fluid into another assembly of blades called the turbine. The turbine sits opposite the impeller and rotates as the fluid from the impeller hits its blades. As the fluid flows through the turbine, it is repeatedly transferred from the outer part to the inner part of the turbine, and returned to the impeller. This constant circulation of fluid flow from impeller into turbine, then back to impeller, creates a fluid coupling.

Stator

As the transmission fluid returns to the impeller to keep the cycle going is where the torque is created. At this point the fluid is flowing in a different direction than it was originally as it came out of the impeller. It has to be reversed, which slows the fluid and magnifies torque. This is where the stator comes in. The stator is another series of fins located between the two turbines on the transmission shaft. Its blades are angled so that when the transmission fluid flows into them, it reverses direction and gets channeled back to the impeller. When the vehicle stops, the stator’s one-way “clutch” causes it to stop spinning, which breaks the hydrodynamic circuit.

3 Phases of Operation

Stall

The engine provides power to the impeller, but the impeller doesn’t rotate because the driver keeps pressure on the brake, such as when at a stop light. The vehicle does not move, but it does not stall.

Acceleration

Acceleration occurs when the driver releases the brake and steps on the gas pedal. The impeller rotates faster, and there is a large difference between the impeller and turbine speed. The converter produces torque multiplication, which is necessary for acceleration.

Coupling

Transmission Torque Converter

As the vehicle approaches cruising speed, the turbine rotates at nearly the same rate as the impeller, and torque multiplication ceases. At this stage, the torque converter is a simple fluid coupling. The automatic transmission uses a lockup clutch to lock the turbine to the impeller. This eliminates power loss and keeps the car moving steadily. Because the impeller is mounted to the torque converter housing, and the converter is connected to the engine, the impeller gets its power from the engine. The turbine is connected to the output shaft, which sends power to the transmission.

Is the Problem the Torque Converter or Transmission?

Torque converter problems can be misinterpreted as symptoms of a failing transmission. Unfortunately, this might lead people to think they need expensive repairs, or even a full transmission replacement. Replacing the torque converter is cheaper. Diagnosing the cause of a transmission issue isn’t easy, but AAMCO Minnesota’s local technicians can help. It might just be a fluid leak, or something else altogether – our transmission inspection and diagnostics help us find the problems and recommend the right services.

Shaking and Shuddering

If your car shakes and shudders, it could mean the lockup clutch is malfunctioning. This might occur at speeds around 35-45 miles per hour. It’s a very noticeable problem and feels like you’re driving on a rough road with a lot of small bumps. A worn out lockup clutch can make the transition from acceleration to direct drive difficult, and it’s a sign that you need to have your transmission checked.

Overheating

I your car overheats, it could be a sign that the transmission fluid pressure is low, and there could be a problem with the torque converter. If the converter is overheating, it won’t be able to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. This results in poor acceleration and excessive wear and tear on the transmission.

Slipping

A damaged fin or bearing in the torque converter can cause hesitation in the transmission shifting, or the transmission to slip out of gear entirely. This is because the engine torque is not being efficiently converted into the hydraulic pressure needed to shift gears within the transmission. Slipping might also be caused by insufficient or too much fluid in the transmission.

Come to AAMCO Minnesota for All Your Car Repairs & Maintenance

Transmission Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid

You need an experienced transmission specialist who can honestly tell you what needs to be done.

If you have questions about your car’s transmission, engine, repair or maintenance needs, AAMCO Minnesota can help. Stop by or call a local AAMCO Minnesota repair shop for a Multi Point Vehicle Courtesy Check for your transmission and related systems. We’ll winterize your car and get you ready for the cold, snowy winter driving months ahead. We can handle all your scheduled car maintenance and repairs, from brakes to factory recommended maintenance.

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