Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: trans, torque converter clutch, torque converter clutch solenoid

Question
I own a 98' Ford Taurus 3.0 V-6 automatic. Today after having my car in for routine transmission maintenance, the transmission mechanic told me my torque converter does not engage. He drove it and said it did not engage. He also said one of my scanned trouble codes said the torque converter was malfunctioning. He said that it was cheaper to just replace the whole transmission. My questions are; Does the car trouble codes also cover transmission problems like sensors or performance problems? Can this really happen? Can it be economically fixed? What will happen if I continue to drive the car with the non-functioning torque converter? The car runs fine to me with no discernable transmission problems. Have you heard this before? How can I tell if my torque converter is not functioning properly? What is the test for this? Please respond. Sincerely, Larry Weaver, Quincy, California


Answer
Hello Larry,
I am not a transmission mechanic, but I have a little experience with this problem.
The torque converter is working, or the car wouldn't move. I assume he meant the torque converter clutch, which locks the converter while cruising.
The transmission does store codes, read by the same scan tool.
That particular transmission has a control valve on the wheel well side of the transmission. There is a solenoid to lock the converter clutch, and it can stick, I understand. it will store a code saying "torque converter clutch solenoid mechanically stuck". The mechanic can get to that part without even raising the car, or draining the transmission. He could attempt to clean it and the control valve. He may want to just replace the control valve completely.
I can't say what might fix what, but if you never noticed a problem, and the check engine light didn't come on, it is possible there is no problem at all.
See if you can find a transmission "ALL EXPERT".
Good luck,
Van