Torque converter keeps failing, need advice

Nsjenner · June 16

Looking for some advice from the experts. Truck is a 2013 gmc 2500HD with the 6.0l gas and the 6L90 transmission. Original transmission had a torque converter fail at 215000 km and I had a reman transmission installed. Torque converter failed again after around 20000 km and the shop installed another reman transmission under warranty, torque converter failed again in roughly 20000 km and a second warranty transmission was installed. After 15000 km the torque converter has failed again.

The transmission shop is completely stumped and they are regarded as the best place in the city to get transmission work done. Really don’t know what to do next but there has to be some other problem thats causing the issues. The only idea the shop can think of is something strange going on with the computer thats causing the issues but each time the computer reprograms fine and seems to be operating the way it should be while running a live data scan. Transmission temp is always in the normal range with no other issues on the truck other than having the stabilitrack sensor replaced when I got an alignment recently.

Any ideas on where to look for the underlying issue? I don’t want to dump another transmission in and have it happen again.

Epsilon Plus · June 16

Using factory converters?

Put a race shop built converter in like Circle D. Doesn't have to be high stall or race spec but the internals will be hand made stronger and have a much stronger and longer life lock up clutch.

Nsjenner · June 16

Just using factory converters but I’m think there has to be something else going on? The last failure was only 15000 km of city and highway driving and the original converter lasted 215000 km. After the second failure I did ask the shop about what was available thats completely overbuilt but they stated that it was just a bad converter from the factory. Just seems really unlikely that i got three bad factory converters in a row.

MORSNO · June 16

What are you regularly hauling or towing? I've never heard of someone losing so many converters.

Nsjenner · June 16

This is a work truck but it doesn’t pull anything. The last torque converter only lasted 15000 km and this was all highway and city driving with zero hard use. Only weight I have in the truck is a rat pack box with about 400 pounds of tools and the truck just has a leveling kit with 33” tires so there shouldn't be any excess stress on the driveline.

Heading to the dealer tomorrow to see if they have any ideas.

64BAwagon · June 16

You have way more patience than I do.

Pony up the money and put a better quality converter in it and have a different shop do the work. Continuing on the same path will likely give you predictable results.

GM stock converters are a weak link. If it were mine I would have popped for a billet unit and never again worried about it.

Nsjenner · June 16

Everything was done under warranty since I did the entire transmission swap so if nothing else is found to be causing the problem I’ll be putting a billet unit in for sure. Any recommendations on brand or exact type? Engine and driveline is stock so mainly looking for something thats just going to last until I retire the truck. Hoping to get another 150000 km on this truck before I get rid of it.