Demystifying The Torque Converter

To most owners of an automatic transmission car, it's all about hopping into your car, starting the engine, and shifting the gear lever, the rest they say is automated, with no clutching and no revving as opposed to the manual transmission, quite interesting though.

Yes, the clutch might be absent in the automatic transmission, but the whole system of propelling the car is done via the same old process.

A torque converter is to an automatic transmission what a clutch is to a manual transmission, both devices carry out the same process in seemingly different ways, NOW YOU KNOW YOUR AUTO TRANNY IS NOT ALL AUTO ANYWAYS!

In simple language, a torque converter is a mechanical device responsible for transferring rotating power generated by an engine to a transmission via the hydraulic process.

Instead of the clutch fitted in a manual transmission, the torque converter is fitted in the automatic transmission to achieve the same
result.

While the clutch achieves its motive by physically connecting to the transmission shaft via the use of gears, the torque converter usually does its job by using a hydraulic process.

HOW DOES THE TORQUE CONVERTER WORK?

The torque converter is made up of three main components

1. The impeller

2. The turbine

3. The Stator

 

 

The impeller or pump which is directly connected to the engine spins at the same speed as the engine, the impeller when spinning by virtue of its design(with fins inside) directs hydraulic fluids to the turbine(connected to the transmission)  which allows it to spins at an opposite direction at almost a similar speed, a practical example is achieved when two standing fans are brought together in the same room facing each other, one of the fans is powered on to spin, the resultant effect is that the other facing it would turn at a different direction at almost the same speed, this is achieved using the air generated by the powered fan, in the case of the torque converter this is achieved using the hydraulic fluid enclosed within it. in a nutshell, the impeller which spins the turbine using the hydraulic fluid allows the transmission to rotate and ultimately drives the car without any physical contact between both components this is because the turbine is directly connected to the transmission.

THE STATOR

The stator which is the third component in the torque converter is responsible for the reverse movement of the hydraulic fluid from  the direction of the turbine to that of the impeller.

When the hydraulic fluid from the impeller is directed to the turbine it goes back to the direction of the impeller through the stator.

This gives us an idea of how the torque converter really works.

SIGNS OF A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER

Sometimes your automatic transmission car might begin to act up and you might wonder what the problem is, a torque converter when faulty can affect the way your car might generally run, here are a few tail signs that you might have a faulty torque converter.

OVERHEATING

Yes overheating is a common sign of a faulty torque converter this is always attributed to low fluid levels or malfunctioning solenoids

TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE

Transmission slippage could also be a sign of a malfunctioning torque converter, this occurs when little or no fluids are passed to the transmission this could cause gears to slip and will result in a loss of acceleration.

INCREASED STALL SPEED

When the torque converters go bad, it takes the transmission longer to engage the engine, leading to higher than normal stall speed.

MESSY FLUID

Messy fluid could also be a pointer that your torque is packing up. When you check your transmission fluid and discover that there are particles of large black materials this means that the transmission or torque converter clutches are bad.

SHUDDERING

When it feels like you are running over bumps or rough roads at 30 to 50 mph when driving then its time to have a look at your torque converter, a faulty torque converter can make you feel like you are running on a rough road when in actual sense you are not.

STRANGE REVVING SOUND

A strange revving or clicking sound is also a potential sign of a faulty torque converter.

 

CAUSES OF TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEMS

Torque converter problems could vary from

DAMAGED TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCHES

Damaged torque converter clutches are a common problem, automatic transmissions also are equipped with clutches like the manual transmission these clutches are usually located throughout the transmission, these clutches go bad when they become jammed due to distortions or if they are burnt.

When this happens the vehicle stays stuck in gear.

DAMAGED NEEDLE BEARING

Needle bearings are the components that separate the turbine, impeller, and stator, the resultant effect of them going bad is a rattling sound from the transmission 

DAMAGED TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL

A damaged torque converter seal allows fluid to leak out of the torque converter, which could ultimately lead to several problems like overheating, and slippage

In all of this having your tech person properly inspect your car whenever you notice any of these anomalies should be the ideal thing to do. ensuring your torque remains in good condition is paramount to ensuring your car remains on the road for quite a long time to come.