Is my torque converter going bad?

Question

I have an 1996 Nissan Maxima. I just put a new engine in it. Since then I have been feeling a little jerk when it switches gears

(but is worse from 1 to 2) it does this when the transmission is hot or cold. Please let me know if this is my torque converter gone bad.

Answer 1

It could be your converter,but i don't think it is .It sounds like you might have a vaccum line off or a hole in the line.It could even be the transmission module.There so people that have there tranny fixed to shift hard like yours is doing.

Answer 2

It sounds more like a sticking valve in the transmission.  Torque converter failure in my experience is more of a general over reving feeling where the converter actually causes a loss of power transfer to the transmission.  

Answer 3

I haven't worked on a Nissan lately.  But I would have to guess more that the mechanic didn't connect a vacuum line, connected it to the wrong place, or didn't adjust the downshift cable than that he didn't tighten the converter bolts tight enough.

The vacuum lines you can check from the diagram found on the underside of the hood.  Adjusting downshift cables varies with the car.