A few signs indicating a malfunctioning torque converter include shuddering coming from the transmission while driving, gears changing at a higher than normal engine speed, and odd noises such as clicking or whirring.

The good news is, if it is just your torque converter that is having issues since it’s a self-contained unit, you may not need to replace or rebuild your whole transmission. Torque converters can be serviced or replaced as a single unit.

Driving a car with a troublesome torque converter does not only exacerbate the problems already present, but it is also extremely dangerous. If your torque converter can’t hold the proper amount of ATF, then it won’t be able to transfer power from the engine to the transmission effectively.

Can A Bad Torque Converter Damage A Transmission? Yes, absolutely. Bad torque converters can cause overheating, friction damage, and transmission fluid degradation. The longer these problems continue, the more damaged your transmission will get.

Symptoms of Torque Converter Problems

1. Slipping. A torque converter can slip out of gear or delay a shift its fin or bearing is damaged.
2. Overheating.
3. Contaminated Transmission Fluid.
4. Shuddering.
5. Increased Stall Speed.
6. Unusual Sounds.

The torque converter itself is relatively inexpensive (between $150 and $350, depending on the vehicle), but 5-10 hours of labor is involved since the transmission must be removed in order to replace the torque converter.

Not needed. Not only will you make it heavier and harder to install you’ll also make a mess while doing so. The transmission pump will fill the T.C. in no time once you start it after of course putting 5 quarts in before initial start up.

When installing the converter onto the transmission, please pour approximately one quart of ATF (automatic transmission fluid) into the converter before installing into the transmission. You should experience two distinct drops of the converter into the transmission before it is all of the way in.

And it’s filled with fluid, and the fluid is circulating as well. Now, what that means is that this acts like a centrifuge. And any dirt particles that are in the fluid get flung out until they collect around this outside area of the torque converter. Now unless you flush, there’s no way to ever clean that away.

On most cars, though, it isn’t that simple because there is no drain plug in the torque converter. The only way to fully drain these torque converters is to have the converter pump the old fluid out of itself.

It remains stationary when the transmission is in park or neutral; however it spins opposite to the engine rotation when hydraulic pressure (or wind) is provided. Because air would eventually compress when forced to move at a higher speed, the torque converter is sealed and filled with transmission fluid.

Many torque converter failures can be caused by excessive friction, which means the torque converter’s needle bearings are damaged. Also, a faulty seals or faulty clutch solenoid can be to blame. A faulty seal can allow fluid to leak and become contaminated. A bad torque converter can damage a transmission.

How to Fix a Transmission Shudder

1. Jack up the front of the car and install jack stands under the frame. Lower the car and make sure it is securely positioned on the stands.
2. Use a socket wrench to remove the transmission pan bolts and remove the pan.
3. Replace the pan along with a new pan gasket.

Fortunately, fixing a shuddering transmission is often as simple as getting a transmission flush to replace the contaminated transmission fluid with clean, fresh fluid.

If the level of transmission fluid dips too low in your car, it might start shaking as you accelerate. While this is fairly easy to resolve, it needs to be tended to promptly. If there’s a leak and you continue driving with too little transmission fluid, it can permanently damage your car’s transmission.