Torque Converter Question
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Torque Converter Question
How can you tell if your Torque converter is bad as opposed to your tranny going out? I had a thread on clunking into reverse but winter weather has prevented me from looking at the problem right now. So I'm wondering if Im not going into reverse untill the rpm's get high and then she clunks into gear if it's a possible torque converter issue, Forward gears seem fine.
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From: Parker, CO
A delay shifting into reverse is normal. If I were you I would check the source of the clunking noise. It could be something as simple as a bad u-joint.
When the torque converter starts to go, you'll know it. The slippage will be felt in forward gears, rather than reverse. Reverse is normally the last one to die.
When the torque converter starts to go, you'll know it. The slippage will be felt in forward gears, rather than reverse. Reverse is normally the last one to die.
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Its actually clunking into reverse because the RPM's are getting too high then fully engaging, Is there two reverse gears, because she creeps at first then clunks into place and then takes off good.
Last edited by 60RatRod; Dec 17, 2008 at 01:06 PM. Reason: spelling
Post Fiend
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From: Blairsville,Ga
mine has done it every since the trans was rebuilt,I don't have the clunk but sometimes when I back up it starts backing then about a second later seems like it jumps into gear
as stated the clunk may be a u-joint or slip yoke
as stated the clunk may be a u-joint or slip yoke
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Hmmm, well it does still work, just noticebly different. I am leaning towards TQ because of the high RPM's like 2k and just 5 MPH. But heck I don't know. I think my 7.5K lbs trailer will be the big test.
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From: Parker, CO
The torque converter stays unlocked in lower gears, that's why it free-revs more in first and second gear. It won't lock until after the trans has shifted into 3rd. Once the torque converter locks, then you no longer have the free-revving feel.
However, a weak torque converter can slip too much when unlocked, and can even slip when locked.
Also, a torque converter can feel "grabby" when it's on it's last legs. What I mean by this is have the truck at a stop and in gear, then put the trans in neutral, and if the RPM's spike really high all of a sudden, then the torque converter is grabbing too much while in gear. The RPM's should hardly fluctuate when shifting from drive to neutral or park while stopped. Same goes when shifting from park or neutral into gear.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
However, a weak torque converter can slip too much when unlocked, and can even slip when locked.
Also, a torque converter can feel "grabby" when it's on it's last legs. What I mean by this is have the truck at a stop and in gear, then put the trans in neutral, and if the RPM's spike really high all of a sudden, then the torque converter is grabbing too much while in gear. The RPM's should hardly fluctuate when shifting from drive to neutral or park while stopped. Same goes when shifting from park or neutral into gear.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
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From: Las Vegas, NV
The torque converter stays unlocked in lower gears, that's why it free-revs more in first and second gear. It won't lock until after the trans has shifted into 3rd. Once the torque converter locks, then you no longer have the free-revving feel.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
Thanks
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From: South Eastern MN
The torque converter stays unlocked in lower gears, that's why it free-revs more in first and second gear. It won't lock until after the trans has shifted into 3rd. Once the torque converter locks, then you no longer have the free-revving feel.
However, a weak torque converter can slip too much when unlocked, and can even slip when locked.
Also, a torque converter can feel "grabby" when it's on it's last legs. What I mean by this is have the truck at a stop and in gear, then put the trans in neutral, and if the RPM's spike really high all of a sudden, then the torque converter is grabbing too much while in gear. The RPM's should hardly fluctuate when shifting from drive to neutral or park while stopped. Same goes when shifting from park or neutral into gear.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
However, a weak torque converter can slip too much when unlocked, and can even slip when locked.
Also, a torque converter can feel "grabby" when it's on it's last legs. What I mean by this is have the truck at a stop and in gear, then put the trans in neutral, and if the RPM's spike really high all of a sudden, then the torque converter is grabbing too much while in gear. The RPM's should hardly fluctuate when shifting from drive to neutral or park while stopped. Same goes when shifting from park or neutral into gear.
As for the reverse thing, it takes a good couple of seconds before it's fully engaged in reverse, so that part is normal.
Ok... that has me scared...
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And, a good torque converter should make the truck eager to move. I remember after BTS did my trans, i was backing it out of the shop, brian commented how much pedal pressure i needed to keep it from backing up too fast, he said that the stock one wasnt anywhere like that, and damn he was right. Also, the torque converter doesnt lock in reverse. Numerous times ive bumped my switch getting into the truck, lock the TC and not know it, go to back up and throw it in drive, and the engine stalls. oops! Mine doesnt take "a good couple of seconds", more like <1
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See here's the thing never had an auto trans truck before....I always thought you needed to apply some brake pressure when you put it gear mine isn't like that reverse or forward. Also on a hill when in reverse she just rolls back likes its in nuetral. backing up hill rev up to about 2K before she locks in gear and then it clunks in hard.
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I emailed John Wood hope to get his opinion. No friction material in the bottom of pan (already pulled and looked) so I think the question is can it be repaired easily, being its only reverse. Hopefully something simple like a snap ring or loose bolt because the rest of the tranny works fine.
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i had a 97 powerstroke that i thought the tranny was bad, reverse actually would have two speeds and forward gears were all over the place and would slam into gear. tranny seemed confused. wouldnt happen all the time though. turned out that if i would wiggle the wire harness on tne transmission tranny would be perfect again. i did it for 30k miles,sold truck and new owner been doing it for a year. seemed to do it more freqently on hot days. hope this helps somebody
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