I have a 1998 Cherokee Sport. The person I bought it from told me the Torque Convertor was acting up. Once and a while when driving the RPMs will jump around for a few seconds and it seems like the trans is slipping them its fine again. Has anybody else ever had this problem? What else if anything could be wrong? What options do I have?

 

I am having the exact same issue. Hopfully I can tagalong with your thread and we can both get an answer.

 

Sounds like the clutches are slipping, not the torque converter.

Drain some fluid and inspect for metal flakes/chunks. If the trans has a magnet in it, inspect as well.

Does this happen when warm? Cold? Both?

 

It has happened warm and cold. So far I have only noticed it 2 times over the last 1,000 miles. It is almost like it is pulsating, then a few seconds later it is back to normal. It shifts normal from gear to gear, which makes me think the trans is okay.

 

It could be a clogged trans filter.

Buddie of mine has similar issues, thats what his problem is.

I spose if it is a torque converter it'd be better than replacing an entire trans or doing a rebuild.

 

Just a filter would be nice and yes a torque convertor would be easier than rebuilding. This is just my first Jeep that is an automatic and I would hate to tear the thing apart to replace the torque convertor and find out its a $20 sensor or something.

 

Well, how'd the PO come to the conclusion its the torque converter? Did you ask?

 

It will not be the converter, I would check the TPS

 

I have no idea how he came up with it. When I personally think of a bad trans or torque convertor I think of constant slipping or sloppy shifting. Not something that just happens occasionally. He did say it usually happens after driving about 80 miles, so I was going to throw a trans cooler on it thinking that may help.

 

I'll check that tomorrow.

 

torque convertors don't stop working and then start working again.

A torque convertor is basicly a mechanical part that has nothing to do with pumping transmission fluid....most have a clutch in them that can fail and cause problems like a shudder that feels like a miss when it applies and they can cycle on and off.

When a converter fails it is normally because the bearing or bushings fail and let the internal parts touch.....if this happens it will fill the transmission with fine metal, when this happens the transmission will stop moving because the filter becomes clogged and the valves can hang up.