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TURBINE
The turbine is the output, or driven, member of the converter. The turbine is mounted within the housing opposite
the impeller, but is not attached to the housing. The input shaft is inserted through the center of the impeller and
splined into the turbine. The design of the turbine is similar to the impeller, except the blades of the turbine are
curved in the opposite direction.
Turbine
1 - TURBINE VANE 4 - PORTION OF TORQUE CONVERTER COVER
2 - ENGINE ROTATION 5 - ENGINE ROTATION
3 - INPUT SHAFT 6 - OIL FLOW WITHIN TURBINE SECTION
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STATOR
The stator assembly is mounted on a stationary shaft
which is an integral part of the oil pump. The stator (1)
islocatedbetweentheimpeller (2) and the turbine (4)
within the torque converter case.
The stator contains an over-running clutch (1-4), which
allows the stator to rotate only in a clockwise direction.
When the stator is locked against the over-running
clutch, the torque multiplication feature of the torque
converter is operational.
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TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
The TCC 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 cou-
plings to slip. If the impeller (3) and turbine (5) were
mechanically locked together, a zero slippage condi-
tion could be obtained. A hydraulic piston (6) with fric-
tion material (7) was added to the turbine assembly
(5) to provide this mechanical lock-up.
In order to reduce heat build-up in the transmission
and buffer the powertrain against torsional vibrations,
the TCM can duty cycle the L/R-CC Solenoid to
achieve a smooth application of the torque converter
clutch. This function, referred to as Electronically Mod-
ulated Converter Clutch (EMCC) can occur at various
times depending on the following variables:
Shift lever position
Current gear range
Transmission fluid temperature
Engine coolant temperature
Input speed
Throttle angle
Engine speed
OPERATION
The converter impeller (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.
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TURBINE
As the fluid that was put into motion bythe impeller blades strikes the blades of the turbine, some of the energy and
rotational force is transferred into the turbine and the input shaft. Thiscauses both of them (turbine and input shaft)
to rotate in a clockwise direction following the impeller. As the fluid is leaving the trailing edges of the turbine’s
blades it continues in a “hindering” direction back toward the impeller. If the fluid is not redirected before it strikes
the impeller, it will strike the impeller in such a direction that it would tend to slow it down.
STATOR
Torque multiplication is achieved by locking the stator’s over-running clutch to its shaft. Under stall conditions (the
turbine is stationary), the oil leaving the turbine blades strikes the face of the stator blades and tries to rotate them
in a counterclockwise direction. When this happens the over-running clutch of the stator locks and holds the stator
from rotating. With the stator locked, the oil strikes the stator blades and is redirected into a “helping” direction
before it enters the impeller. This circulation of oil from impeller to turbine, turbine to stator, and stator to impeller,
can produce a maximum torque multiplicationofabout2.4:1.Astheturbinebegins to match the speed of the impel-
ler, the fluid that was hitting the stator in such as way as to cause it to lock-up is no longer doing so. In this con-
dition of operation, the stator begins to free wheel and the converter actsas a fluid coupling.
Torque Converter Fluid Operation - Typical
1 - APPLY PRESSURE 3 - RELEASE PRESSURE
2 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY FORWARD 4 - THE PISTON MOVES SLIGHTLY REARWARD
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TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH (TCC)
In a standard torque converter, the impeller and tur-
bine are rotating at about the same speed and the
stator is freewheeling, providing no torque multiplica-
tion. By applying the turbine’s piston and friction mate-
rial to the front cover, a total converter engagement
can be obtained. The result of this engagement is a
direct 1:1 mechanical link between the engine and the
transmission.
The clutch can be engaged in second, third, fourth,
and fifth (if appicable) gear ranges depending on over-
drive control switch position. If the overdrive control
switch is in the normal ON position, the clutch will
engage after the shift to fourth gear. If the control
switch is in the OFF position, the clutch will engage
after the shift to third gear.
The TCM controls the torque converter by way of
internal logic software. The programming of the soft-
ware provides the TCM with control over the L/R-CC
Solenoid. There are four output logic states that can
be applied as follows:
No EMCC
Partial EMCC
Full EMCC
Gradual-to-no EMCC
NO EMCC
Under No EMCC conditions, the L/R Solenoid is OFF. There are several conditions that can result in NO EMCC
operations. No EMCC can be initiated due to a fault in the transmission or because the TCM does not see the need
for EMCC under current driving conditions.
PARTIAL EMCC
Partial EMCC operation modulates the L/R Solenoid (duty cycle) to obtain partial torque converter clutch application.
Partial EMCC operation is maintaineduntil Full EMCC is called for and actuated. During Partial EMCC some slip
does occur. Partial EMCC will usually occur at low speeds, low load and light throttle situations.
FULL EMCC
During Full EMCC operation, the TCM increases the L/R Solenoid duty cycle to full ON after Partial EMCC control
brings the engine speed within the desired slip range of transmission input speed relative to engine rpm.
GRADUAL-TO-NO EMCC
This operation is to soften the change from Full or Partial EMCC to No EMCC. This is done at mid-throttle by
decreasing the L/R Solenoid duty cycle.
REMOVAL
1. Remove transmission and torque converter from vehicle. (Refer to 21 - TRANSMISSION/AUTOMATIC - 45RFE/
545RFE - REMOVAL)
2. Place a suitable drain pan under the converter housing end of the transmission.
CAUTION: Verify that transmission is secure on the lifting device or work surface, the center of gravity of
the transmission will shift when the torque converter is removed creatingan unstable condition. The torque
converter is a heavy unit. Use caution when separating the torque converter from the transmission.
3. Pull the torque converter forward until the center hub clears the oil pumpseal.
Stator Operation
1 - DIRECTION STATOR WILL FREE WHEEL DUE TO OIL
PUSHING ON BACKSIDE OF VANES
2-FRONTOFENGINE
3 - INCREASED ANGLE AS OIL STRIKES VANES
4 - DIRECTION STATOR IS LOCKED UP DUE TO OIL PUSHING
AGAINST STATOR VANES
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4. Separate the torque converter from the transmission.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: Check converter hub and drive notches for sharp edges, burrs, scratches, or nicks. Polish the hub
and notches with 320/400 grit paper or crocus cloth if necessary. The hub must be smooth to avoid dam-
aging the pump seal at installation.
1. Lubricate oil pump seal lip with transmission fluid.
2. Place torque converter in position on transmission.
CAUTION: Do not damage oil pump seal or bush-
ing while inserting torqueconverterintothefront
of the transmission.
3. Align torque converter to oil pump seal opening.
4. Insert torque converter hub into oil pump.
5. While pushing torque converter inward, rotate con-
verter until converter is fully seated in the oil pump
gears.
6. Check converter seating with a scale (1) and
straightedge (2). Surface of converter lugs should
be 1/2 in. to rear of straightedge when converter is
fully seated.
7. If necessary, temporarily secure converter with
C-clamp attached to the converter housing.
8. Install the transmission in the vehicle.
9. Fill the transmission with the recommended fluid.
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SWITCH-TOW/HAUL OVERDRIVE
DESCRIPTION
The tow/haul overdrive OFF (control) switch is located
in the shift lever arm. The switch is a momentary con-
tact device that signals the PCM to toggle current sta-
tus of the overdrive function.
OPERATION
At key-on, overdrive operation is allowed. Pressing the switch once causes the tow/haul overdrive OFF mode to be
entered and the Tow/Haul lamp to be illuminated. Pressing the switch a second time causes normal overdrive oper-
ationtoberestoredandthetow/haullamptobeturnedoff.Thetow/hauloverdrive OFF mode defaults to ON after
the ignition switch is cycled OFF and ON. The normal position for the control switch is the ON position. The switch
must be in this position to energize the solenoid and allow a 3-4 upshift. The control switch indicator light illuminates
only when the tow/haul overdrive switch is turned to the OFF position, or when illuminated by the transmission
control module.
REMOVAL
1. Using a plastic trim tool, remove the tow/haul over-
drive off switch retainer (2) from the shift lever (1).
Page 3072 of 5267
2. Pull the switch (2) outwards to release it from the
connector in the lever (1)
INSTALLATION
NOTE: There is enough slack in the wire to pull out the connector from the lever.
1. Pull the connector (2) out of the lever (1) just
enough to grasp it.
CAUTION: Be careful not to bend the pins on the
tow/haul overdrive off switch. Use care when
installing the switch, as it is not indexed, and can
be accidentally installed incorrectly.
2. Install the tow/haul overdrive off switch (3) into the
connector (2)
3. Push the tow/haul overdrive off switch (3) and wir-
ing into the shift lever (1).
4. Install the tow/haul overdrive off switch retainer
onto the shift lever.