Section 17 - Torque Converter; General Information; Troubleshooting - Club Car FE350 2005 Maintenance Service Supplement

SECTION 17 – TORQUE CONVERTER
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DANGER
• See General Warning, Section 10, Page 10-1.
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WARNING
• See General Warning, Section 10, Page 10-1.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The torque converter consists of a drive clutch, a driven clutch, and a drive belt. The drive clutch, which is
mounted to the engine, is in the open position when the engine is at idle. At this point, the belt is riding at a low
position (smaller diameter) on the drive clutch. The driven clutch is mounted on the transaxle. It is in the
closed position, and the drive belt is riding at a high position (large diameter) on it when the engine is at idle.
At the point of clutch engagement, the speed ratio of the drive clutch to the driven clutch is 3.5 to 1. This ratio
provides excellent starting and low-speed torque.
As engine speed increases, centrifugal force on internal weights close the drive clutch, pushing the belt up to
a higher position on the clutch (increasing the diameter of the belt loop). As the diameter of the belt loop
increases at the drive clutch, the driven clutch is forced open as the diameter of its belt loop decreases. At
governed top speed, the ratio of drive clutch to driven clutch is 0.92 to 1.
On steep grades, or when the vehicle is heavily loaded, higher torques are achieved through the use of a
torque-sensing ramp device on the driven clutch. This device overcomes the force of the centrifugal weights
to close the driven clutch and open the drive clutch, thus increasing axle torque with little or no change in
engine RPM.
The engine and torque converter rotate clockwise as viewed from the clutch side of the engine.
To provide optimum performance for the OHV engine and powertrain, the vehicle uses a pair of tuned
clutches.
To properly assemble and disassemble the torque converter, the following tools should be used:
• Torque Converter Tool Kit (CCI P/N 1014510) (Figure 17-1, Page 17-2).
• Scribe or small pick (not included in torque converter tool kit).

TROUBLESHOOTING

See General Warning, Section 10, Page 10-1.
Maintaining proper adjustment of the engine and governor, as well as the torque converter, is essential to the
troubleshooting process. If these adjustments are within Club Car specifications and, when climbing a steep
hill, the engine begins to lose RPM before the drive belt reaches the top of the driven clutch, there is a torque
converter problem.
If the torque converter is not operating properly:
1. Check the governor and throttle settings. See Governor Cable Installation and Adjustment,
Section 14, Page 14-8.
2005 FE350 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement
17
Page 17-1