Torque converter?

[MNR4.2]

Hey guys, whats the symptoms for a torque converter nearing the end of its life? Sounds, etc??

[rollerton]

Mostly slipping I think. The pre 02' TC's had a problem with an internal seal and many many people saw premature failure and slipping at pretty low miles. Seems like it was addressed starting in 2003, but the TC can still fail in a couple different ways.
Try this: down the road, about 40-45mph in TIP make sure you're in 5th and hit the gas- maybe dont floor it all the way but 3/4 down so you put a load on the engine.
Watch the tacho vs speed. Sometimes the tach will start to move pretty quick before a shift or any acceleration takes place. Thats TC slip. A bad TC should also trigger the C.E.L. if its reading failure consistantly.
FWIW since I did a shit-pile of research before eventually having mine replaced- for mostly city driving or infrequent highway driving...you could literally go forever as long as there are no driveability issues. I know a few people that had the TC failure code and got more than 100k miles and still no problems. If I could go back I would have left ours alone, it drove fine.

[MNR4.2]

Will def try this ina bit. Is there any sound though? I hear a winding sound, popped the hood and it def sounds like its coming from the rear of the motor, well that area anyways.

[Scotty@Advanced]

Torque converter are designed to slip, unless the lockup clutch in them is activated. What happens is the lock seal in the converter gets brittle over time and leaks, eventually the lockup portion of your converter will fail to work. If it goes on too long the additional heat generated by the converter will toast your transmission. A code will be stored and fuel economy will decrease substantially.

[MNR4.2]

Figures my netbook would be dead lol, going to charge it then run a scan with vag-com. Ill post my results once i get them.

[MNR4.2]

Well no faults popped up... just have to figure out what that winding sound is.

[Scotty@Advanced]

Well no faults popped up... just have to figure out what that winding sound is.
Low fluid?

[MNR4.2]

Low fluid?

Tranny fluid?

[Scotty@Advanced]

Tranny fluid?

Si senor... IF you car is whining like an X-wife wondering where her alimony check is then it could be low trans fluid.

[MNR4.2]

Si senor... IF you car is whining like an X-wife wondering where her alimony check is then it could be low trans fluid. lolz, will have to check this as soon as i get the chance then.