What are the signs of a torque converter going bad?

 

You should include your symptoms. Torque converters are normally reliable, they get contaminated when the tranny goes bad.

 

what's the problem? Is it not locking up?

 

To start out this problem is coming from my truck not from either of my cars, I've had the truck for 5-6 years 98 1500 v8 305. This truck has been good, but hates going up hills. I've adjusted the timing, checked the compression on the motor, results were from 145-165 all the way around. Change the throttle positioning sensor, downstream O2 sensor. Everything seems to be running just fine throughout the motor, but nothing I've done has made it any better. So now I'm looking further down the line towards the Tranny. I could be going up a steady inclined hill, and if I really push it, it will kinda give way and start to shake a bit till I let off and it drops down to a lower gear. Now that I've been typing this it has occurred to me that it could most likely be the tranny, but I'm not a mechanic.

 

Its your transmission. I am guessing you have a 700r4. Why would you have suspected an o2 sensor? A bad o2 will only give poor mileage.

 

hahahaha yeah O2 sensor would have nothing to do with not being able to get up hill. maybe when u get up the hill and ur full tank of gas is now empty...yeah thats bad O2. ur tranny sounds like its having a bad hyrdaulic problem. take it to a specialist and just have them look at it. if its gonna cost to much to fix...go prowl craigslist for a decent used 700r4 /4l60e

 

So you are saying when you let off it is ok. Are you sure you are not hitting your brakes first before it becomes "ok" ? Cause when you hit the brakes the TC releases. I mean it is possible that your TC is getting stuck locked. Kind of like when you are driving a 5 speed and going too slow for what gear you are in. Like being in 5th gear at 20mph and your car starts bucking and shaking. I could be wrong tho. Just a thought,but it definatly sounds like a trans problem. Have you tried tightening up your tv cable yet according to the proper GM method?

 

02 sensor was just what I've replaced recently to pass inspection, just threw that out there it wasn't a thought of being the problem. Ya when I just let off the gas going up hill after I have pushed to far is when it calms down till it drops into lower gear, and runs better in a lower gear and starts to climb up the hill better. Other times as long as its a flat road it runs just fine through out the gears.