2000 FE290 Gasoline Vehicle Maintenance and Service Supplement Page 17-1
17
SECTION 17 – TORQUE CONVERTER
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.
• GASOLINE – FLAMMABLE! EXPLOSIVE! DO NOT SMOKE. KEEP SPARKS AND FLAMES
AWAY FROM VEHICLE AND SERVICE AREA. SERVICE ONLY IN A WELL-VENTILATED AREA.
• DO NOT OPERATE VEHICLE IN AN ENCLOSED AREA WITHOUT PROPER VENTILATION. THE
ENGINE PRODUCES CARBON MONOXIDE, WHICH IS AN ODORLESS, DEADLY POISON.
• ONLY TRAINED TECHNICIANS SHOULD REPAIR OR SERVICE THIS VEHICLE. ANYONE DOING
EVEN SIMPLE REPAIRS OR SERVICE SHOULD HAVE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL REPAIR. FOLLOW ALL PROCEDURES EXACTLY AND HEED
ALL WARNINGS STATED IN THIS MANUAL.
• WEAR SAFETY GLASSES OR APPROVED EYE PROTECTION WHILE SERVICING VEHICLE.
WEAR A FULL FACE SHIELD WHEN WORKING WITH BATTERY.
• TURN KEY SWITCH OFF, PLACE FORWARD/REVERSE HANDLE IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION,
AND REMOVE KEY PRIOR TO SERVICING.
• DO NOT WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING. REMOVE JEWELRY SUCH AS RINGS, WATCHES, CHAINS,
ETC. BEFORE SERVICING VEHICLE.
• USE INSULATED TOOLS WHEN WORKING NEAR BATTERIES OR ELECTRICAL
CONNECTIONS. USE EXTREME CAUTION TO AVOID SHORTING OF COMPONENTS OR
WIRING.
• MOVING PARTS! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS RUNNING.
• HOT! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SERVICE HOT ENGINE OR EXHAUST SYSTEM. FAILURE TO
HEED THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN SEVERE BURNS.
• FRAME GROUND – DO NOT ALLOW TOOLS OR OTHER METAL OBJECTS TO CONTACT
FRAME WHEN DISCONNECTING BATTERY CABLES OR OTHER ELECTRIC WIRING. NEVER
ALLOW A POSITIVE WIRE TO TOUCH THE VEHICLE FRAME, ENGINE, OR ANY OTHER METAL
COMPONENT.
• TO AVOID UNINTENTIONALLY STARTING THE VEHICLE:
- DISCONNECT BATTERY CABLES, NEGATIVE (–) FIRST.
- DISCONNECT THE SPARK PLUG WIRE FROM THE SPARK PLUG.
• FOR VEHICLES WITH CARGO BEDS, REMOVE ALL CARGO BEFORE RAISING THE BED. DO
NOT CLOSE BED UNTIL ALL PERSONS ARE CLEAR OF CARGO BED AREA. KEEP HANDS
CLEAR OF CRUSH AREA BETWEEN BED AND SEAT BACK SUPPORT. DO NOT DROP CARGO
BED; LOWER GENTLY AND KEEP ENTIRE BODY CLEAR. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY.
DANGER
WARNING