I am lost...Torque Converter...

[tannerr52]

Ok here is the deal.

Car is a 1990 Pontiac Bonneville V6 3800 with 4 speed Hydramatic 4T60 automatic front wheel drive trans axle, just to get that out of the way.

Took car to local auto parts store to get code scan (check engine light was on), codes showed torque converter problems and cam sensor issue. I replaced the cam sensor as the car lately had been having idling problems and the the car was shifting fine- so I didn't think anything of TC. Well cam sensor is replaced now, and absolutely nothing is different.
In fact, the idle got worse. The shifting got worse. Bonnie would stall out.all after cam sensor replacement. And I was thinking..."Man maybe it was the TC!"
So I venture out online to look to see what I can too. I look up torque converter replacement and all i am getting is for RWD auto transmissions. i have found nearly nothing about trans axle TC replacement....maybe I'm missing something?

Also, I am looking for as cheap as possible---maybe do it myself and maybe also find a TC in a scrapyard. I would like to fix this as soon as I can, so that i don't get stranded, and as cheap as I can so that I might not drain my bank account any more on this old car. I mean, its a fairly common set up, right?

SO! if you can give me any pointers of direct me to a website explaining this, that would be awesome, because I am completely lost at this point.

Please help me out before I sell this car on Craigslist for 5 dollars.

Thanks,
Tanner

[tannerr52]

just found this! FULL cutaway diagrams for my transmission...sweet! http://www.scribd.com/doc/34146615/4T60E

[curtis73]

Your torque converter will have a code on it, usually a four-letter code like FLHD or something. Any of your local Transtar or transmission parts supply houses will probably have 50 of them in stock.

Do NOT get a junkyard unit. Its very hit-or-miss. You don't know what irretrievable junk has settled in it, how much moisture has made its way into the tranny, or how it was abused. Using junkyard torque converters is kinda like using junkyard brake pads. A junkyard TC might cost $25, but it could cause thousands in damage. A reman TC is $100. If you're going to spend days on your back removing and installing a TC, the last thing you want to do is skimp on $75.

Can you describe the symptoms better? Your 1990 4T60 probably has a converter lockup solenoid. Its more common for that to fail and keep the converter locked when it shouldn't. Even if it doesn't have a solenoid, it has a pathway in the valvebody that could be faulty. Usually when TCs fail its the other way around. Usually they don't have lockup, but yours may be stuck on which indicates another issue.

Does the car idle OK in neutral and park? Does it just run bad when its in gear? Does it slam into gear? Can you tell if the converter is locking/unlocking on the road? Might be best to take it to a reputable shop for a free diagnosis. Of course, most tranny shops will try to sell you on a rebuild, but if you find a good shop they'll just recommend what needs to be done.

Above all, don't guess. You might have something simple like low fluid, a bad O2 sensor, a plugged catalyst, or simply need spark plugs.

[FishFind]

Also if you replaced the cam sensor you need to go to the dealer and have a ECM relearn done. The brain has to relearn the position of the new sensor. If not this will make it run bad.

[tannerr52]

Well the car is running fine...still is hesitant every now and then. But, I've decided to let bonnie go...she going up for sale, and will be replaced with truck/SUV. But thanks for the help guys, Just let me know if you want to buy it! haha.