Torque Converter Repair Questions for 03 2.7t

[Ballzo]

Was hoping to get some input on this issue with my torque converter. Last year I had a local shop do some repairs on my 2003 2.7t and afterwards the check engine light came on. They looked at the code and told me not to worry about it. It was a failing torque converter. He said alot of them go bad and its no big deal. Probably mileage will suffer a bit but thats it. Now I've seen some threads here stating otherwise and its got me worried. We've been driving the car lightly for over a year like this. Right now my car is showing check engine light intermittently and I had the code looked up yesterday. Its P0741.

I love this car and would like to keep driving it. Do I need to get this repaired? What are my options and what can I expect to pay if it needs repair?

[rollerton]

I won't hassle you about searching because I'm bored today at work, but somebody else will soon probably!
Yes it's common. It may or may not cause damage or premature failure to the trans~ you'll only know that when the trans fails. Yes, many many people have driven a long long time with the TC seal / lockup failure and not had a problem. Some have had problems.
Short answer is, the ONLY way to be sure is to replace it. There are really no options- the 6 speed cult might come in here and try and convert you. It's an option, but a fairly drastic one for a simple TC repair. There are various options for torque converters, none will change your life more than another probably.
I'll just *estimate* $1400'ish in labor and $400-$600 for a torque converter. The price will vary obviously from shop to shop, and triple it for an AUDI DEALER repair.
MY personal advice? If you're going to keep the car and think you even might get it fixed then do it now. Consider it money already spent and just do it. Think of it like a broken window- sure you can drive around like that, but you're GOING to fix it sooner or later, so..just get it over with. You only risk more damage by waiting.

[svirk2]

ya if its already been a yr you should do it soon

[TheAussie]

Level 10 performance does a fix for this code doesn't help much that your in CA though.

I drove from CO to VT with this code on and am not planning on getting it fixed any time soon.

each to their own.

[brownson1]

I've had this issue since I purchased my car too.

It's been about a year. When I changed my ATF fluid (two weeks ago), I added in some Lucas
Automatic Transmission Condidioner and went for a test drive.

I used to obsess over monitoring my transmission measuring blocks via VCDS.

For once, since I owned the vehicle, the Torque Converter Regulation window read out:
"TC-Open......TC-Regulation.......TC-Closed"

The Torque converter actually closed and read "zero rpm/min"

It was amazing. I'm SUPER skeptical about chemical "bandaids" in fact, I don't believe in them at all! But after
watching the measuring blocks and noticing a change, plus better gas milage, I'm happy I changed my fluid myself.

I am simply sharing my story, if you already changed your fluid, I hope it continues to work for you!

I still receive P-0741 code btw, but still, the car behaves differently for the better.

[Ballzo]

I really don't notice any symptoms. I just see the check engine light. It was solid but recently has gone to intermittent.

[Ballzo]

So it still seems to me that we have some here that think this is a must fix and others that don't?

[ddillenger]

If the converter doesn't lock it's constantly slipping. This increases fluid temps, and the clutch debris circulates throughout the trans. Do you have to fix it? No, but fluid life will suffer, as will fuel economy. Look up how a torque converter clutch works, you'll understand.

[Scotty@Advanced]

So it still seems to me that we have some here that think this is a must fix and others that don't?

If you can live with a CEL, and reduced fuel economy (2-3 mpg less) and constantly change the fluid and filter then a bunk torque converter should not cause additional issues.

[smithersprime]

Level 10 performance does a fix for this code doesn't help much that your in CA though.

I drove from CO to VT with this code on and am not planning on getting it fixed any time soon.

each to their own.

Don't use them, I had them send me a TC for an RS6 that happened to not be an RS6 torque converter, just one for a regular a6. Go with ACE, you send in the TC, he rebuilds it, and its good for life on whatever amount of power you want it to hold.

[TheAussie]

whoa thanks for letting me know man, sending them my TC was honestly the next thing i wanted to do to my car.
thanks!

[Scotty@Advanced]

I've got both factory upgraded and enhanced stall converters.

AAM Torque Converters

[rollerton]

I'm not enough of an expert to explain in detail why some people drive around with this problem and never really have an issue- while on other cars it takes a toll fairly quickly. Probably the drivers habits or commute or other maintenance factors. But I've driven at least one car that had this problem, and it was NOT pleasant to drive. Hard shifts and bad gear 'hunting' from the trans were just a couple issues- it would also occasionally go into LIMP mode.
They got a New TC eventually and did fix it, they live just up the street from me and the car is still going great- don;t think it would still be on the road on the old TC.

[Scotty@Advanced]

I'm not enough of an expert to explain in detail why some people drive around with this problem and never really have an issue- while on other cars it takes a toll fairly quickly. Probably the drivers habits or commute or other maintenance factors. But I've driven at least one car that had this problem, and it was NOT pleasant to drive. Hard shifts and bad gear 'hunting' from the trans were just a couple issues- it would also occasionally go into LIMP mode.
They got a New TC eventually and did fix it, they live just up the street from me and the car is still going great- don;t think it would still be on the road on the old TC.

If your driving cycle is mostly city and stop and go.. then the converter locking function is rarely experienced. However at steady state cruise such as highway etc, the converter is locked and if it is not functioning then it's slipping and causing the problems associated with a bad converter. At least that's my .02 cents.

[Ballzo]

I just got a quote to have this torque converter replaced with a rebuilt one. $2800.00 parts and labor.