Town & Country AWD V6-3.8L VIN L (2003)
Torque Converter Clutch: Description and Operation
41TE - Automatic Transmission
DESCRIPTION
TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The TCC (Fig. 332) was installed to improve the efficiency of the torque converter that is lost to the slippage of the fluid coupling. Although the fluid
coupling provides smooth, shock-free power transfer, it is natural for all fluid couplings to slip. If the impeller and turbine were mechanically locked
together, a zero slippage condition could be obtained. A hydraulic piston was added to the turbine, and a friction material was added to the inside of the
front cover to provide this mechanical lock-up.
OPERATION
The converter impeller (Fig. 333) (driving member), which is integral to the converter housing and bolted to the engine drive plate, rotates at engine
speed. The converter turbine (driven member), which reacts from fluid pressure generated by the impeller, rotates and turns the transmission input shaft.