Can you drive a car with a broken torque converter?

It is possible to drive a vehicle with a bad torque converter. But bear in mind that the torque converter is the connection between your engine and transmission. When it is not operating properly, not only might you feel vibrations, shuddering, and slipping, but your vehicle speed will waver as fluid pressure increases and decreases unexpectedly. Plus, a bad torque converter can cause damage to your engine.

Can a bad torque converter cause transmission problems?

A bad torque converter can cause transmission problems for several reasons. If the torque converter has internal physical damage and is shedding metal particles into the fluid, those particles will eventually re-circulate throughout the rest of the transmission and could cause catastrophic damage. If the torque converter is slipping, it can cause altered shift points which may put the transmission into disabling limp mode.

Do you have to remove the transmission to replace the torque converter?

Yes. The transmission must be removed from your vehicle in order to replace the torque converter. The torque converter is mounted in the transmission bell housing, between the transmission and the engine. The two components must be separated to access the torque converter. This is a labor-intensive job that requires not only a vehicle lift, but other special tooling and techniques. It is best left to a qualified professional.