Automatic transmissions have advanced significantly over the years, but when it comes to balancing reliability and a fuss-free driving experience, the conventional torque converter-equipped automatic still stands out. That said, torque converters are not immune to issues. Lack of maintenance, normal wear and tear, or internal faults can lead to failures that directly affect performance.
The symptoms of a faulty torque converter will not only make your driving experience rougher, but can also increase repair costs if ignored. In this guide, we’ll cover the key symptoms of a bad torque converter that you shouldn’t ignore, the causes behind them, and the methods and costs involved in fixing them.
What Exactly is a Torque Converter: Components and Functions Explained
The torque converter is often called the heart of an automatic transmission. It acts as a fluid coupling, replacing the need for a manual clutch while transmitting and multiplying the engine’s rotational power to the transmission.
Key Components of a Torque Converter
- Impeller: Linked to the engine, this component pushes transmission fluid outwards with a centrifugal force
- Turbine: Linked to the transmission input shaft, it starts rotating as the fluid from the impeller strikes its blades.
- Stator: Positioned between the impeller and the turbine, the stator redirects the returning transmission fluid from the turbine back toward the impeller. By correcting the fluid’s flow, it reduces energy loss and allows for more efficient torque multiplication during acceleration.
- Transmission Fluid: The medium that transfers power between the impeller and turbine, while also lubricating and cooling the system.
The entire assembly of a torque converter sits within a housing that is bolted to the engine’s flywheel. The medium that transfers power between the impeller and turbine, while also lubricating and cooling the system.
Signs of a Faulty Torque Converter in a Car
When the torque converter in an automatic transmission fails, it begins to exhibit signs that can make your overall driving experience shaky and unnerving, instilling fears that something may break under the hood. Avoiding such indications for too long might cause the transmission to break off and stall the vehicle altogether, resulting in hefty repair expenses. The following are some of the symptoms of a bad torque converter:
1. Vibrations from Transmission
If the torque converter’s lock-up clutch is faulty, you might face the consequences in the form of the transmission lever shaking or vibrating, sometimes even vigorously.
2. Slipping of Transmission
If you are facing a situation in which the vehicle’s speed is not increasing properly with a subsequent increase in engine RPMs, it means that the torque converter is struggling to transfer power effectively.
3. Delay in Acceleration
If the torque converter fails, it will result in a slight hesitation in the vehicle’s acceleration in response to the driver’s throttle input. In severe cases, the car may lose the ability to accelerate altogether.
4. Overheating of Transmission
Poor lubrication or a stuck torque converter can cause the transmission fluid to overheat. This is often accompanied by a transmission warning light on the dashboard.
5. Strange Noises from Transmission
Suppose you sense strange grinding or clunking noises coming from the transmission area; in that case, it indicates increased friction between the internal components of the torque converter, which can cause damage.
Causes Behind the Torquer Converter Going Bad
Torque converters normally last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles; in fact, sometimes even longer, provided the vehicle is driven appropriately. In most cases, the reason for experiencing symptoms of a bad torque converter is the inevitable wear of internal components. However, several other factors can accelerate damage. Here are the common causes of a bad torque converter:
Contaminated Transmission Fluid
While there are very low chances of transmission fluid getting contaminated by outer contaminants, its prolonged circulation within the transmission can contaminate it with metal chippings from internal components. Such a scenario reduces the transmission fluid’s ability to act as a protective layer of the internal components of the torque converter, thus accelerating wear.
Worn-Out Lock-Up Clutch
The purpose of a lock-up clutch in the torque converters of modern automatic transmissions is to improve shifting times while driving at higher speeds. However, if this lock-up clutch wears out, it can cause vibrations, slipping, and extra stress on the torque converter.
Overheating
Low or dirty transmission fluid often leads thetransmission to overheat, especially when driving over longer distances and for extended periods. This overheating of the transmission will damage its internal components, such as bearings and seals, leading to premature torque converter failure. Poor Driving Habits
Some of the irresponsible driving antics, such as harsh braking, frequent sudden throttling, and driving the vehicle with an excess load, can also damage the torque converter by reducing its lifespan.
Driving with a Defective Torque Converter: Is it Safe?
There might be a slight possibility that you can drive with a bad torque converter for a few miles. However, it is neither safe nor advisable, as driving with a faulty torque converter can cause your vehicle to stall suddenly and result in substantial repair bills.
Ignoring the symptoms increases risks such as sudden acceleration or unintended surging due to transmission slipping, which is particularly dangerous in traffic. Prolonged driving also overheats the transmission fluid, damaging internal components of the torque converter and shortening the transmission’s lifespan.
Steps to Fix a Bad Torque Converter in a Car
Unless you are well-versed in all the techniques and have skilled hands, we advise against attempting to fix a faulty torque converter as a DIY task. Given the complexity and sensitivity of the internal components of a torque converter, it is advisable to seek professional assistance in repairing a bad torque converter. The following are the steps you should follow to fix the faults in a torque converter:
- Step 1: To pinpoint the failure of the torque converter as the primary cause of transmission issues, conduct a diagnostic check, which will help you detect the transmission error codes to operate on.
- Step 2: Before uninstalling the torque converter, drain the transmission fluid. Then, disconnect the entire torque converter assembly from the engine flywheel.
- Step 3: After unlinking it from the flywheel of the engine, disconnect the electrical connections and remove the torque converter by unbolting it from the transmission bell housing.
- Step 4: Identify the causes of torque converter failure based on the condition of the internal components, such as damaged bearings and seals, transmission fluid contamination, and a worn-out lock-up clutch.
- Step 5: In minor cases, such as filter or fluid replacement, the torque converter does not need to be replaced. However, if the root cause is damaged internal components, it is better to replace the torque converter with a new one.
- Step 6: Reinstall the torque converter in the transmission bell housing, secure it with bolts, and connect it to the flywheel of the powertrain. Then, add a fresh dose of transmission fluid for improved lubrication.
How Much does a Torque Converter for a Car Cost?
With reasons such as vehicle make and model, type and quality grade, labor costs, and any additional component requirements affecting the charges for replacing a faulty torque converter, the following is an estimated study:
- The actual cost of a standard torque converter for a mainstream sedan, SUV, or MPV can range between $150 and $500.
- Factoring in labor and other factors, the total cost of installing a new torque converter can range from $600 to $1,000.
- For more expensive, luxurious, and performance-oriented cars and SUVs, the total cost of torque converter replacement can further range from $1,200 to $2,000, and in some cases, even higher.
Prevention of a Torque Converter from Going Bad: Here’s How You Can Do It
While you can’t escape the usual wear rate of torque converters due to high vehicle mileage, some rightful driving and maintenance practices can certainly keep them functioning flawlessly for a longer time. With healthy practices, such as maintaining optimal transmission fluid levels and changing them when necessary, driving smoothly with controlled acceleration and braking inputs, not ignoring warning signs, and following periodic maintenance schedules, the torque converters will last longer.
FAQs
Q1. How do I know if the torque converter is bad?
The commonly known and experienced symptoms of a faulty torque converter include vibrations from the transmission, slipping of the transmission, delayed vehicle acceleration, overheating of the transmission, and unusual noises from the transmission.
Q2. What destroys a torque converter?
The primary reasons for a torque converter failing are contaminated transmission fluid, a worn-out lock-up clutch, overheating due to improper maintenance or insufficient transmission fluid, and poor driving habits, including harsh acceleration and braking.
Q3. What is the lifespan of a torque converter?
If the vehicle is maintained correctly with regularly followed periodic maintenance schedules and good driving habits, the torque converters of cars can last for 150,000-200,000 miles, and in some cases, even longer.
Q4. What happens if I keep driving with a bad torque converter?
Continuing to drive with a faulty torque converter can result in sudden stalling of the vehicle, uncontrollable acceleration and braking, and damage to internal components due to increased friction, all of which can lead to substantial repair expenses.
Q5. How much does it cost to replace a torque converter?
The replacement cost of a torque converter is $600-$ 1,000 for mainstream passenger vehicles, while for luxury and sports cars, it is between $1,200 and $2,000. These costs include labor charges but exclude any additional part replacements.