Noise

Important: Do not confuse this noise with pump whine noise, which is usually noticeable in Park, Neutral, and all other gear ranges. Pump whine will vary with line pressure.

You may notice a torque converter whine when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in Drive or Reverse. This noise will increase as you increase the engine RPM. The noise will stop when the vehicle is moving or when you apply the torque converter clutch, because both halves of the converter are turning at the same speed.

Perform a stall test to make sure the noise is actually coming from the converter:
1. Place your foot on the brake.
2. Put the gear selector in Drive.

NOTICE: You may damage the transmission if you depress the accelerator for more than six seconds.

3. Depress the accelerator to approximately 1200 RPM for no more than six seconds.

A torque converter noise will increase under this load. Replace the torque converter under any of the following conditions:
- External leaks appear in the hub weld area.
- The converter hub is scored or damaged.
- The converter pilot is broken, damaged, or fits poorly into the crankshaft.
- You discover steel particles after flushing the cooler and the cooler lines.
- The pump is damaged, or you discover steel particles in the converter.
- The vehicle has Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) shudder and/or no TCC apply. Replace the torque converter only after all hydraulic and electrical diagnoses have been made. The converter clutch material may be glazed.
- The converter has an imbalance which cannot be corrected. Refer to FLYWHEEL/TORQUE CONVERTER VIBRATION TEST FLEXPLATE/TORQUE CONVERTER VIBRATION TEST PROCEDURE.
- The converter is contaminated with engine coolant which contains antifreeze.
- An internal failure occurs in the stator roller clutch.
- You notice excessive end play.
- Overheating produces heavy debris in the clutch.
- You discover steel particles or clutch lining material in the fluid filter or on the magnet, when no internal parts in the unit are worn or damaged. This condition indicates that lining material came from the converter.

Do not replace the torque converter if you discover any of the following symptoms:
- The oil has an odor or the oil is discolored, even though metal or clutch facing particles are not present.
- The threads in one or more of the converter bolt holds are damaged. Correct the condition with a new J-nut.
- Transmission failure did not display evidence of damaged or worn internal parts, steel particles or clutch plate lining material in the unit and inside the fluid filter.

The vehicle has been exposed to high mileage only. An exception may exist where the lining of the torque converter clutch dampener plate has seen excess wear by vehicles operated in heavy and/or constant traffic, such as taxi, delivery, or police use.