Has Anyone Replaced Their Torque Converter?

[willied]

Some dealers are better than others. Do you have a choice? My son's 2007 V8 shifts smoothly. He has about 100,000 miles on it now.

I've got a different dealer about 30 minutes away, but I don't really want to spend another $90 for a fix that I don't know will work. I've also been told it was the transmission solenoid that was the problem at the local dealer. It's one of those problems that just sucks because it's kind of a shot in the dark at fixing it, at least that's how it seems.

 

[Town]

I've got a different dealer about 30 minutes away, but I don't really want to spend another $90 for a fix that I don't know will work. I've also been told it was the transmission solenoid that was the problem at the local dealer. It's one of those problems that just sucks because it's kind of a shot in the dark at fixing it, at least that's how it seems.

Yes, it does appear as an expensive shot in the dark since so many components are involved. Replacement of the torque converter clutch solenoid appears to require a new mechatronic unit that appears to be the valve body plus the TCM. It can be done without removal of the transmission, no special tools, but does require the PCM and TCM reflash to latest spec that should also cover the possibility of a TCM/PCM programming problem.

Here is the diagnostic for the torque converter clutch shudder:

Torque Converter Clutch Operation Concerns: Cycling/Chatter Possible Component Reference/Action
241 — ROUTINE
Transmission Fluid
· Transmission fluid condition
· Carry out the transmission fluid condition check in Preliminary Inspection in this section.

Mechatronics
· Defective torque converter apply regulator valve
· Inspect mechatronic assembly for stuck valves or contamination. Refer to Mechatronic Assembly in this section.

· Defective TCC (VFS-6) shift solenoid
· Install a new mechatronic assembly. Refer to Mechatronic Assembly in this section.

· Mechatronic assembly bolts — not tightened to specification
· Tighten to specification.

· Mechatronic unit contaminated, solenoid(s) damaged, stuck or bore damaged. Manual valve damaged, stuck or bore damaged
· Inspect for damage. If damaged, install a new mechatronic assembly. Refer to Mechatronic Assembly in this section.

Powertrain Control Module
· PCM electrical inputs/outputs, TCM, vehicle wiring harnesses, torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid, transmission fluid temperature (TFT) sensor
· Carry out on-board diagnostic tests. Repair as required. Clear DTCs, road test and carry out on-board diagnostic test again.

Torque Converter
· Torque converter components
· Remove the transmission. Inspect for damage. If damaged, install a new or remanufactured torque converter. Refer to Transmission — Four Wheel Drive (4WD) or Transmission — Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) in this section.


I have the procedure if you want it, there do not appear to be any special tools required. RockAuto does not list the valve body (TCM), but Tasca Ford shows various ones by year for the 6R60 at about $1,583!!!!

Good luck.

 

[willied]

Ouch! Well, I think I can live with the low speed jerkiness. As long as my car still operates. Thanks for all the help/info.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I am watching this tread since my 06 v8 with 147k miles is bucking/jerking at 45-50 miles going uphill. Otherwise it's very smooth. I hope that's due to still original coils and maybe sparkplugs. I replaced the tranny fluid twice at the Ford dealership, at 60 and at 120 k miles, so my fluid should be ok.

 

[Town]

I am watching this tread since my 06 v8 with 147k miles is bucking/jerking at 45-50 miles going uphill. Otherwise it's very smooth. I hope that's due to still original coils and maybe sparkplugs. I replaced the tranny fluid twice at the Ford dealership, at 60 and at 120 k miles, so my fluid should be ok.

Bucking/jerking can be diagnosed as torque converter clutch judder (slow and heavy vibration in the trans). But your trans should be in good shape since you look after it. Much less likely to have oil problems and sticky valves and worn components.

Since you don't have a check engine light and a DTC set while going uphill it may not be a misfire (very rapid but light engine vibration). But I think your plugs need to be changed now, since even if not original they have at least 87,000 miles of use that you know of. COPs are not maintenance items and I don't know of a test that proves them to be faulty, except switching COPs and have the P030? code follow the COP.

The following is a list of common vehicle concerns (according to Ford) that have been misdiagnosed as TCC shudder. For diagnosis of the following items, refer to the appropriate sections of the workshop manual and the Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual.

Spark plugs — check for cracks, high resistance or broken insulators
Plug wires
Fuel injector — filter may be plugged
Fuel contamination — engine driveability concerns
EGR valve — valve may let in too much exhaust gas and cause engine to run lean (EDIT: the Explorer 4.6 V8 3v does not have EGR, the function is achieved by camshaft timing changes, so oil changes are important)
Vacuum leak — engine will not get correct air/fuel mixture
Manifold absolute pressure (MAP)/mass air flow (MAF) sensor — incorrect air/fuel mixture (EDIT: V8 does not have a MAP sensor but the MAF can be affected by air filter condition - and oil impregnated filters according to Ford)
Heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) — too rich/lean air/fuel mixture
Fuel pressure — may be too low
Engine mounts — loose/damaged mounts can cause vibration concerns (EDIT: my son's Mazda 3 engine mount failed and caused a vibration under some conditions on the highway)
Axle joints — check for vibration


Ford should have added the electronic throttle control as a possibility since the throttle position sensor (TPS) is a known cause of bucking/jerking.

Good luck.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Willied -
where did you change the filter and what did you pay for it ?

 

[willied]

Willied -
where did you change the filter and what did you pay for it ?

I got it changed at a local transmission shop and the filter and fluid change cost me about $150.

 

[tojan19]

I had similar hesitation and jerking issues. I was about to replace the converter, and by a miracle, the ECM finally picked up a code for a bad spark plug coil. Replaced the coil and did my plugs at the same time. Been months and haven't had an issue.

 

[Explorer_PL]

That's what I hate about that; in my Tahoe, I would get misfire code right away, in Explorer you really have to have a miss to set it off.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Finally solved, same story, misfire #8.

 

[willied]

Glad to hear you figured it out. Wish it was the same for mine, but I'm fairly positive it's the TQ. Oh well, seems okay for now.