Questions and Answers
Tracker Code P0740
Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla: The "service engine soon" light came on in my 1998 Chevy Tracker last month. I had never noticed any changes in the drive-ability vehicle, other than the warning light's activation. Last week, a mechanic told me that the trouble code he got was "#740 torque converter clutch system."
He cleared the code and said that it didn't come on again while test-driving it at non-freeway speeds. The light did not activate all this week until this afternoon, the first time I drove it on the freeway at speeds in excess of 60 MPH. The light is back on, and will not turn off. Does this mean I probably have a major transmission repair fee to look forward to, or could this be a simple, inexpensive matter.
The car only has 31,000 miles on it! Is this a common problem with this type of vehicle? Do you think I will have any chance of getting it covered under the (probably expired) warranty? What are the consequences of continuing to drive it without having it repaired? Thanks for any advice/suggestions you can give me, and I do realize that you can't guarantee your correct because you haven't see my particular vehicle.
Ron
A. Code P0740 is the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) Circuit. The reason the mechanic cleared the code and it did not come back was that he did not drive it fast enough. The TCC will only engage at speeds above 50 MPH. When you took it above that speed, it tried to engage and malfunctioned. The light came on and reset the code.
This is not a real serious problem although you may notice a drop in gas milage. Other than that you wouldn't know if it was working or not.
It's a common problem with GM and it means that somewhere in the wiring or the TCC solenoid there is a problem. Most likely the solenoid itself. The Dealer can diagnose it pretty quickly and it's not terribly expensive.
I think if you're firm, not nasty, with the Dealer they will do it under warranty. If not a call to GM Customer Service (the number is in your owners manual) should get it covered.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA