I was just curious of what are the symptoms of torque converter failure...

I have an 89 'vic that I use as my daily driver/hauler (has a nice hitch on it... and one hell of a trunk lol) so I don't have to get a truck or put miles on my TA.
But anyway.. couple days ago it was working perfect, parked it. Then the next day I took it out, and when it shifted into to 4th gear (OD) the engine would spin way too high (probably twice the regular cruising rpm), just to maintain speed (it slowly lost speed, even as engine speed increased). First gear seems really sluggish compared to what it used to be(you really have to get on it for it to take off somewhat quick...), but the first 3 gears do shift and drive somewhat normal.

I switched out the tranny fluid/filter, and it seems like it is probably the same fluid that was there from the factory.. 150k and 22 years later... it was pitch black. Needless to say, some Mobil 1 went in there...


But would this be indictitive of a faulty converter, or more severe tranny problems.
Hopefully there is someone that is familiar with these old 5.0 powered cars, or at least ford transmissions.
If you need anymore info, I'll provide best I can!
Thanks.

 

I have not had good luck with trans, but I think it may be too late to worry about changing fluid, but if I were to change it I would not use mobil 1 or any syn oil but rather just reg old trans fluid , but I would think the trans is on it way out
again just my thinking
Johnny

 

Yeah, I definitely not ruling out the worst... lol; Just hoping for something easier to fix.
Other thoughts anyone?

 

Sounds like your clutches are going.

On a plus side AODs are pretty cheap and plentiful

 

Make sure the tv cable did not come off the throttle body.If that is still good your overdrive band is wiped out.

 

Yeah, that cable is still good, one of the first things I checked, because it broke earlier this year.

 

fosnot, I will be in Hutch next tuesday if you want me to look at it.

Greg