Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Description & Operation: Introduction
The Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) assembly consists of a 3-element torque converter with the addition of a converter clutch. The converter clutch is an internal mechanism with friction material attached to front face. It is splined to the turbine assembly in converter. See Fig 1 .
The purpose of the automatic transaxle torque converter clutch feature is to eliminate power loss of torque converter stage when vehicle is in a cruise condition. This allows the convenience of an automatic transmission and the fuel economy of a manual transmission.
When the TCC solenoid is activated, the torque converter clutch is applied which results in a straight through mechanical coupling from engine to transmission. When TCC solenoid is deactivated, the torque converter clutch is released which allows the torque converter clutch to operate in a conventional manner.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.