Bad torque converter or transfer case?

[Eldoradoman]

Problem started just a few days after I used my ZJ to tow a 98 Ram I purchased. Wasn't very far, maybe 6 or 7km's and I took it easy without going on any hills or going fast enough to need 3rd gear (about 50-60km/hr max). Few days later i could feel vibration at highway speed intermittantly that was quite subtle, then it slowly got worse over the next week.

One day, I could hear the tranny/transfer case whining when pulling away from a stop and it wouldn't go away till I got up to about 50km/hr. Was quite loud and then a few mins later it started slipping when pulling away from a stop and felt like it was in neutral. Finally would grab, but slip off and on so I checked the tranny and trasfer case fluid but all seemed well. Tried to limp it home but it was slipping terribly bad and I couldn't get more than a few blocks. Tried putting it into 4low, seemed to help a little, but wouldn't go back into 4All-Time, but managed to drive it home in 4low, slipping a bunch but sometimes grabbing and then seeming to drive normal again for a bit.

So I have torque converter symptoms but is it possible it's the transfer case since it won't shift back into 4All-Time? I hope so as I have a spare transfer case ready to swap in, going to try it regardless but want some input first. Or just a weird coincidence?

Thx in advance!

[JesseOR]

Definitely doesn't sound like the TQ Conv, I don't know where you got that from. The only thing that sounds like the tcase is bad is that it wouldn't shift out of lo.

Sounds like trans is slipping. When was the last time it was serviced?

[Eldoradoman]

Tranny was shifting perfect till that day, then started slipping TONS all of a sudden. Fluid & filter in the tranny were changed about 5k ago and it never had any metal particles or discolouration.

Torque Converter symptoms I thought were; hwy vibration under light acceleration (torque shudder), whirring sound when pulling away, slipping as if in neutral.

You don't think a seized torque converter could prevent the transfer case from coming back out of 4lo?

Transmission seemed to operate just fine other than the hwy vibration a few days prior to the day is started slipping. It only took 10mins from the time it started making the loud whirring/gear noise til the slippage started and immediately became a problem.

My Viscous Coupling is/was worn so maybe it finally died on me?

Thx for any input again.

[JesseOR]

I don't think a seized converter would cause the tcase not to shift. They are part of completely different systems.

And a seized converter wouldn't even allow the jeep to move, I would think.
The vibes may be the TqConv Clutch.....

[Eldoradoman]

Okay, I meant Torque Converter related, so pump/solenoid/TCC I guess.

Also, fluid is still nice and red with no burnt smell or foaming.

[Virmagicus]

Try the stall test.

[Eldoradoman]

Originally Posted by Virmagicus

Try the stall test.

It will barely go in gear right now, unfortunately, or else it slips too much to create much of a load to come close to doing a stall test.

[JrMechanic]

Check the transmission fluid again to see if it's black or burnt.

[JesseOR]

Don't forget to check it warm and in neutral.

[Eldoradoman]

I'll check again, last time I checked was when it first started slipping, then limped it home so maybe it's changed colour.

Thx!

[Eldoradoman]

Okay, so I checked the fluid today and it's nice and red still, looks normal. Doesn't smell burnt either, no foaming/bubbles, so that's a good sign.

I can get it to go in gear now, but the transfer case is still in Lo and the Lo light on the VIC stays on too when shifting the TC.

When put in reverse, there's a whining or high pitched grinding sound and it takes a few seconds to slowly engage that gear, doesn't seem to transfer the power easily as it takes more than necessary throttle input to get the vehicle to move.

When put in drive it engages slowly without any whining/grinding sounds and again it takes more throttle than necessary to move but it does move! I thought it was pooched but I think the transfer case was partly in neutral before.

Any ideas? Could the whining sound when put in reverse be the torque converter?

[Eldoradoman]

bumpity bump 10chars

[Eldoradoman]

is it worth it to try swapping transfer cases? still slips like crazy in gear but the tranny fluid seems okay. Could anything in the transfer case cause these symptoms?

[Virmagicus]

If the TC was slipping you would hear a loud popping noise. Sounds like your tranny needs a rebuild with a new torque converter. You could try manually selecting the TC into 4FT though just to make sure. 9/16" wrench ...

[Eldoradoman]

Originally Posted by Virmagicus

If the TC was slipping you would hear a loud popping noise. Sounds like your tranny needs a rebuild with a new torque converter. You could try manually selecting the TC into 4FT though just to make sure. 9/16" wrench ...

Transfer case turned out okay, was just a coincidence that the linkage come off the body mount and didn't let me go out of 4lo.

I swapped the 44re out of my 96 parts jeep for now, and took the opportunity to put in the 242 I've had ready for some time.

Still suspect the torque converter was the culprit though, there was fluid leaking in the bellhousing, but will not know for sure till I bring the 46re into a tranny shop for diagnosis.

Thx for all the advice guys, I swapped the tranny and transfer case myself and it was much easier than anticipated. Tranny jack is a must when doing this by yourself, lol, only cost $20 to rent for half a day too.