How2Day: Reasons Torque Converters Fail

A broken torque converter is similar to a broken vehicle clutch. Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
Your vehicle's torque converter converts the rotational energy of the engine into usable power for the transmission and wheels. Similar to a clutch in a car with a manual transmission, the torque converter can engage or disengage the engine flywheel depending on input from the vehicle's brakes. If the torque converter fails, you may not be able to start your car---or worse, stop the vehicle. Understanding the reasons torque converters fail can prevent future accidents.

If your torque converter experiences multiple periods of extreme heat, the converter's seals may have suffered critical damage, causing the converter to lose fluid and fail. Heat usually occurs during converter "slippage," which you can cause by pressing on the brake and gas pedals simultaneously. For example, at a stoplight, you may press on the brake pedal and rev the engine to produce a noisy effect. This action produces excess slippage and overheating of the torque converter fluid. Over time, the elastomer seals of the converter unit will warp, leading the fluid to drain completely from the system.

The stator clutch inside of your torque converter may break under certain instances of sudden heavy power. The stator clutch directs the hydraulic fluid of the torque converter so the stator pump can transfer the power of the engine into usable energy. Similarly, if the stator clutch seizes, the torque converter will fail to "couple" with the vehicle engine, preventing the vehicle from moving in many cases.

"Ballooning" occurs when the torque converter experiences a sudden, heavy load it cannot handle under normal operating conditions. The torque converter will actually swell, causing seals and mechanical parts to fail. In some cases, the torque converter will crack open. The converter may balloon under sustained, high revolution-per-minute (rpm) engine speeds.

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