A torque converter is one of the main elements in an automatic transmission system. Due to it, smooth and timely gear shifts are carried out in the vehicle. The first hydrotransformer systems were developed at the beginning of the last century, and today they are significantly modernized. But, despite all the improvements and technical progress, sometimes the box fails. Let's look at the main symptoms of automatic transmission torque converter failure in the most popular car models and brands.
Torque converter operating principle
Technologies are constantly evolving, along with them the design of the automatic transmission is complicated. Today, the torque converter in automatic transmissions also takes on the clutch function. When one of the gears is engaged, this system breaks the connection between the engine and the transmission. After switching on lowering or increasing speeds, the element selects part of the torque. This is necessary to ensure the most smooth switching.
Device
A typical torque converter is three bladed rings. All these parts rotate, while they are located in a single housing. Inside the latter is a transmission fluid. It lubricates and cools the moving elements in the transmission system. The torque converter is mounted on the crankshaft and then connected directly to the automatic transmission mechanism. The fluid moves inside the housing using a special pump - pump. This part allows you to create the necessary oil pressure for the operation of the unit.
Features of modern gas turbine engines
Modern automatic transmission systems are equipped with torque converters that are fully electronically controlled. A huge number of sensors monitors various parameters of the device. With all the manufacturability, the complexity of the design is not the best way affected reliability. Today, even expensive and luxury cars, manufacturers can install frankly unsuccessful boxes.
According to the theory, the torque converter has a long service life. It is comparable to the resource of the entire automatic transmission. But sometimes, like any other mechanism, it can fail. The assembly should be repaired, but in some cases only replacement will help. You need to know the signs of a malfunction of the automatic transmission torque converter in order to notice the problem in time and start the repair. Below we will consider them.
The main symptoms of a torque converter malfunction
Owners of cars equipped with automatic transmission should know the main symptoms of a breakdown. If during the switching process, soft mechanical sounds are heard, and when they are gaining speed and under load, they disappear, then this indicates problems in the thrust bearings. The malfunction can be solved by opening the unit and inspecting them. These parts may need to be replaced.
Also, signs of a malfunction in the automatic transmission torque converter are vibrations. Especially often they are observed when driving at speeds in the range of 60-90 km / h. As the situation worsens, the vibrations will only increase. This often indicates that the working fluid has lost its properties, and its wear products have deposited in the oil filter and clogged it. The problem can be solved by replacing the filter and oil in the engine and automatic transmission.
If there are certain problems with the dynamics of the car, then this is not necessarily an automatic transmission torque converter. Symptoms (the photo of this was made located in the article) in this case are the lack of dynamics, and the cause is due to the failure of the overrunning clutch. If the car has stopped and is not going anywhere else, then it is also worth considering as one of the symptoms of problems in automatic transmission. Often this behavior may indicate damage to the splines on the turbine wheel. Repair involves installing new slots or completely replacing the entire turbine element.
If rustling sounds are clearly audible when the engine is started, then these are also signs of a malfunction in the automatic transmission torque converter. The problem is the bearing, which is located between the turbine wheel and the cover. During movement, such a sound may periodically appear or disappear. This is a signal for speedy contacting the service. A visit here is not worth putting off. If loud sounds are heard when shifting gears, then the shoulder blades become deformed and fall out. Repair is simple and not too expensive. Specialists will replace a failed turbine wheel.
Subaru
Owners of these cars rarely encounter breakdowns caused by the automatic transmission torque converter. Symptoms of Subaru malfunction are practically no different from the symptoms of automatic transmissions from other manufacturers. The most common signs are vibrations and various extraneous noises during the operation of the box. Also, in case of problems, jerks are felt at the moment of switching at speeds of 60-70 km / h. Lost dynamics. It becomes very difficult to disperse a car. And one more sign that is not connected with the torque converter is the flow of working fluid.
What most often fails on the Subaru?
The most common failure for these vehicles is the friction lock piston lining. She wears out and fails. In this situation, it is difficult to determine the breakdown. But if the transmission is not diagnosed in time, it will simply get up. And then only a replacement will help.
In the boxes of the new generation (on six-speed automatic transmissions), where the oil in the operating mode can reach 130 degrees, and the impeller operates in the slip mode, there is another typical malfunction. This is too quick wear of the friction lining. Its products pollute the oil, clog the filter and the valve body. As a result, the automatic transmission torque converter fails. Symptoms here are the same as in transmissions from other manufacturers.
BMW
Cars of this manufacturer have always been reliable. But as in other models, there are some nuances. Some automatic transmissions were simply unsuccessful and stillborn. Also, many scold individual models of units from ZF. Among the main causes of breakdowns is the automatic transmission torque converter. Signs of a malfunction - the box twitches, there are blows when switching to "D", rebasing at the time of switching, slipping and vibration.
Serious signs of damage include noise, jerking and “thoughtfulness” of the box. Perhaps the problem is not in the torque converter. But his diagnosis will not be superfluous. Symptoms of a BMW’s automatic transmission torque converter may not be visible to the eye at all, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t. Often the problems of the transmission are associated with various errors in the electronics. Diagnosis of the computer will help here.
Mazda
At the Mazda Premi, a popular automatic transmission 4F27E was installed. No one has any special problems with her. Its main advantage is its excellent maintainability. Experts say that it can be repaired even without the need for dismantling. Among frequent malfunctions - friction clutches in the Overdrive, and also Reverse modes burn out. The overrunning clutch burns out.
The design features of the automatic transmission are to blame. There are no special problems with the torque converter. In this box, the valve body often wears out, solenoids fail. Few of the owners had signs of a malfunction in the automatic transmission torque converter. Mazda Premissi was equipped with a reliable transmission.
Malfunction automatic transmission AL-4
This is a product of French engineers. This box was developed by specialists of the Citroen concern. It was the main automatic transmission for all French cars from 1998 to 2005. The unit turned out to be as simple and maintainable as possible. Although the box is not very smooth, it has good reliability. Owners rarely observe signs of a malfunction in the automatic transmission automatic transmission AL4.
There are no special symptoms here - they are standard for all torque converter transmissions. The most important thing that many are afraid of in this box is the solenoids. They relatively often fail. There are also problems with the electronics. Because of this, the box often falls into error and goes into emergency operation.
If the car has been used in difficult conditions for a long time, problems associated with the torque converter also occur. The coupling is rotated, which is responsible for the free run of the reactor. This is manifested as follows - the car does not move at low speeds in Drive mode, but only moves off when the gas is pressed.
Summary
I must say that there are no specific signs reporting a torque converter failure. Sometimes, even specialists cannot determine what exactly failed. All this leads to diagnostic costs. Repair of gas turbine engines is simple. The only difficulty is to dismantle the assembly. During the repair process, worn consumables are replaced, assembled and balanced.