Torque Converter Problem !!

[Hochness]

I was on my way back from a company party in Oklahoma City when my tach. started to flucuate (sp?) again (I thought it was to much air last time from my cone). It'll ride real smooth for awile and at 3k rpms it'll fluc. The SES light came on and I got the code pulled and it came up P1744 which is Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) System Mechanically Stuck In Off Position.

What the heck is that and how can I fix it? AutoZone said that I might try changing the Tranny Fluid and filter. I've never done that and would like to learn but don't want to mess it up!! Any help would be great, also can I still drive the car without any worries of it getting stuck @ 8000 rpm and seeing myself hit 150mph and can't stop?????

Thanks all for the help.

Sam

 

[wuzzzer]

I think a tranny flush and fill may help.

Also, since you say the Torque Converter is stuck in the off position, that only means that it isn't locking up at whatever speed it normally does. The TC helps a car get better gas mileage. So, you wouldn't be flying out of control at 150mph.

Hey, and all you guys that might have something like that happen...shift to neutral! wink

 

[Tacmedic]

I have been having the same problem with my '96 SHO. I drive aprox 50 miles to work and the torque converter will lock just fine for the first 25 miles or so, (2600-2800 rpm @ 80 mph), then, on a long uphill stretch it unlocks and will not lock back even when headed back downhill. I was working at the speedway and spoke to a ford rep at the Saleen Mustang display who seemed to have a great deal of knowlege on SHO matters. He said that it was a problem with a solenoid that can be replaced at reasonable cost by the dealer. There is one dealer in my area that works on my county vehicle that I halfway trust. I will keep you posted when I get it over there

 

[mofosho]

Hochness:
Any help would be great, also can I still drive the car without any worries of it getting stuck @ 8000 rpm and seeing myself hit 150mph and can't stop?????

Thanks all for the help.

Sam

If the torque converter won't lock up, your car will never make it up to that speed. The car needs the TC to lock inorder to pull you past something like 120 mph.

 

[OzzmanNT]

And you will only make it up to 144

 

[Hochness]

I changed the tranny fluid (no flush though, local mechanic wanted $170.00 to do it!!) anywho, I changed the fluid and the SES light went off after a few hours of driving. Thanks for the info guys, this one turned out good!!

Sam

 

[SHOclub1]

Something to remember, that I didn't even notice till Doug Lewis pointed it out to me is:

The SHO V8 torque converter does a little jog whenever the A/C compressor comes on. The rpm's go up about 200. I guess this is to prevent the car from pulling down, seems to work, until he pointed it out, I never noticed. Now I watch it all the time! Kind of like that song that won't get out of your head.

I figured since I am now cursed with the "watch that tach needle" syndrom, you all might as well be too!

 

[stephen newberg]

Actually, it does its little 200-300 rpm jog when the climate control system goes -off-. Apparently it takes a second or two for the converter to adjust to the load change. I think it took me a year to stop watching it...

pax, smn

<small>[ May 23, 2002, 05:58 AM: Message edited by: stephen newberg ]</small>