Can a torque converter make a ticking sound when it's going bad?

I've sometimes been hearing ticking when I start my truck but have passed it off as a bad lifter since I'm kickin 291k.

This past Wed I felt a shudder while doing 60mph and then noticed that the O/D Off lamp was flashing. I pulled over and hooked up my Actron but no codes were found. I then turned off the truck, called my dad and had him tow me home. I did not drive the truck yesterday.

This morning I got out my mechanics stethoscope and discovered the ticking is not coming from the passenger head as I suspected but from the front of the transmission. I have my trans fluid flushed every 30-35k but had it flushed again today even though I'm about 10k early. The fluid was red and didn't smell burnt. I haven't felt the shudder come back and the trans still shifts well.

My trans was rebuilt in 2005 but I did not have the TC replaced even though it was suggested by the mechanic.

Any idea if the ticking I heard could be coming from the TC? If so, can I just replace the TC or should I replace it AND have the trans rebuilt?

 

I had a 98 Ranger with an auto that also ticked from the front of the tranny like you describe. The truck had around 142k on it. Is there a inspection cover you can remove? Look in there and see if anything looks out of place. Have someone get the truck to make the noise while you are under it.

 

does it do it regardless of if the O/D is on or off? I have heard of a bad TCC switch causing a clicking sound. basically its trying to engage and disengague the converter clutch repeatedly.

 

Answered my question on whether or not TC's can tick when they're bad. The answer is YES! ...and, as discovered this morning, they can also abruptly stop ticking and blow up. Reckon it's time to install the 5.0!