Hey guys, my check engine light came on a few weeks ago. I finally got a place to check it for free and the P0740 error showed up. I've read a few things but nothing to informative. My car is a 97 2.2cl with 110,000 miles on it.

 

when you pulled the code you didn't ask about it?

 

Yes, it said possible torque converter problem; or something to do with a solenoid; or possibly low transmission fluid. They don't allow hood popping in the parking lot where I am right now, so I'm gonna have to check that when I can.

 

Sounds like your tranny is dying, I would take it straight to a tranny shop

 

The thing is, my transmission seems fine. It shifts really well, no more hesitation than an 11 year old car would have anyway, and even so, it's not much. It never idles erratically. The P0740 also said it could be a poor electrical connection.

 

Tranny failures are sometimes. Better safe than sorry. You sure there are no signs?

EDIT: Guide said it's a Automatic transaxle malfunction.

 

What does that mean? I might be a little naive on what to look for in terms of signs, what should I look for?

 

Alright, so all the searching I've done keeps coming up with "Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid Malfunction" Does anyone know anything about this price wise, big deal wise, etc...

 

it's rather expensive and is usually one of the first things to go during tranny failure, if you take it to a tranny shop quick they may be able to fix that without having to rebuild the tranny

 

Awesome... So in the 4 months that I've owned my CL, repairs have been: Heater Hose, Engine seals leaking oil, New Tire, New rear windshield, New Starter. Not to mention my evaporator core has a leak in it, so my car is really taking in the Louisiana heat. Now this?

 

Get used to it mang. If you drive your car, that stuffs going to happen. You said it yourself, it's an 11 year old car.

 

Yeah, I get it there's just no time in between to save up $ for whatever the next problem happens to be. When it rains it pours...

 

have you looked at the noob section. I think they mention error codes. You should check that if you havent.

 

P0740 is a hydraulic failure of the torque converter lockup system. When Trans Control Unit (TCU) detects torque converter slippage above (5-10%) certain level at speed of 55 mph or more, the code is set. It determines slippage by measuring engine speed and final drive axle speed, which when torque conveter is locked should have no slippage.

If you google around, you can find this fault discussed on this and other forums. I've lived w/ this fault on my 97 Acura 2.5TL for a couple of years now. I reset the TCU to pass my emissions test, but rest of time the yellow light stares back at me. Today, conincidentally, the CEL went off for first time in months and has stayed off for a long drive across town. Is it fixed? I thought not from watching RPM vs. Speed. If you see rpm increase (perhaps 100-200 rpm) while speed remains same or decreases, you know that slippage is occuring.

good luck

 

welcome to the joys of a 10 year old car

 

Thanks Nadd for the detailed rundown (and everyone else). I'm gonna get it checked out. It'd be awesome if mine could last like yours(Nadd) has, I'm just not the gambling kind, lol.

 

great. im pretty sure this happened to me today. i went to merge on the freeway and right after i hit 55 the check engine light went on. went to pull some codes ghetto style and i got a seventy. does anyone know how much this usually costs to fix?

 

pop the hood and look at the engine.

 

idiot

 

hater! xD

 

 

so i'm really starting to think this may be the demise of the cl. the problems just keep slapping me in the face.

in the past month - blown all front sway bushings, blown torque converter (tranny is about to drop anyways), bent front driver side axle, bent driver side upper control arm.

my door is all kinds of messed up. it got hit a while back, the hinge is a little bent so when it closes it doesnt line up perfectly and i have a dent on the front and back of it where the paint has cracked away and is now rusting.

at this point repairs will most likely end up costing more than the car is worth, so im probably just going to end up selling it, its already at 171k. im so disappointed.

 

why did you bump this chris?

 

I didn't

 

Sucks man... I don't know what I'm going to do when the trans goes. It may not seem like it, but I have a lot of money and time invested in this car so I don't want to give it up. Just keep in mind you'll have these issues with other used cars, unless you can afford to buy something new with warranty.

 

it looks like you did.

 

How so? My last post is in june, then 972.2 bumped it yesterday?

 

have you tried changing the transmission fluid? if its very old or low, that will cause slippage.