P0744

Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent

Severity: Medium
Driving: Drivable — book it in

The torque converter clutch circuit is faulting intermittently - working, then briefly not, then working again. Because the fault comes and goes, the symptom is usually an occasional shudder or an unexplained jolt at cruise rather than anything consistent.

Possible causes

CommonLoose or corroded pin at the transmission case connector
CommonFluid wicking into the connector
CommonChafed or fatigued wiring
PossibleFailing solenoid that drops out when hot
PossibleDegraded fluid causing intermittent valve sticking
PossibleInternal transmission harness beginning to fail

What you might notice

Occasional shudder or jolt at a steady cruise
Engine speed occasionally jumping at constant road speed
Fuel consumption slightly worse than usual
Check engine light coming on and going off

What to check, in order

Note when it happens. Only when hot points at the solenoid or internal harness; only in the wet points at the case connector.
Check the fluid level and condition.
Pull the transmission case connector and look for fluid and corrosion inside it.
Wiggle-test the external harness with the live data screen showing converter clutch status.
Do not commit to internal work on an intermittent code until the connector and external wiring have been cleared.

Read this code from your own car

Plug an ELM327 adapter into the OBD-II port under the dashboard. Pin16 reads every stored, pending and permanent code, explains each one like this page does — offline, with no account — and shows what the car recorded when the fault was set.

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Where this code sits

B · Body C · Chassis P · Powertrain U · Network and communication