P0744 Ford Ranger – Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent (Explained & Solved)

It’s a classic Ford Ranger story. You’re driving along — maybe towing, maybe just coasting down the motorway — and the revs feel slightly off. Not a full slip, not a harsh shift, just… fuzzy. Then the check engine light flashes on. You plug in the scan tool and up comes:  P0744 – Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent.

Not the kind of code that screams disaster. Not even one most mechanics lose sleep over. But if you’re driving a PX or PX2 Ranger with the 6R80 automatic transmission, and you see this code, you’d better take it seriously. Because what’s intermittent now can become permanent very soon. And when it does, you’re looking at either a $6,500-$8,500 transmission or a smart converter fix (much cheaper) before it’s too late.

At Brisbane Tuning & Turbo, we’ve seen dozens of these. Tradies, towers, couriers — the kinds of drivers who lean on their gearbox every day. P0744 usually shows up before the real drama begins. But if you wait too long, you’ll feel it.

Let’s break it down properly.

What is P0744 in a Ford Ranger?

This code means the transmission control module (TCM) has attempted to apply the torque converter clutch — but the expected slip RPM didn’t match reality. In simpler terms, the box told the converter to lock up. The converter said, “Yep, done.” But the RPM didn’t drop like it should. So the TCM tried again. Still nothing.

Eventually, the TCM throws its hands up and logs P0744 – Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent.

Now here’s where people get confused. They assume it’s electrical — maybe a bad wire or solenoid. And fair enough, that’s what “circuit” makes it sound like. But nine times out of ten, this is a mechanical problem inside the torque converter, not a fault in the loom or ECU.

Why Is It Intermittent?

Because the clutch inside the converter isn’t completely gone… yet. Sometimes it bites. Sometimes it slips. It might work on cold starts. Or fail under heat. That’s why the code comes and goes. But every time it slips when it should lock — it’s generating heat, wear, and metal.

Eventually, it becomes P0741 (stuck off), or P2757 (commanded torque converter clutch pressure failure). And by then, the fluid’s cooked and the clutch lining inside the converter is toast.

Common Symptoms of a Failing Converter in a Ranger with P0744

Owners often report one or more of the following:

Light shudder between 80–100 km/h

Revs rise or wobble under light throttle cruise

Occasional hesitation or “flare” between shifts

Limp mode is triggered when towing up a hill

Intermittent CEL (Check Engine Light) with no major driveability faults

Poor fuel economy under load

We’ve had customers say: “It only happens when I’m on the freeway for 20 minutes.” Or: “It’s fine all week but plays up when I tow.” That’s the hallmark of thermal clutch degradation — and exactly what P0744 is trying to warn you about.

What Causes It?

In the Ford Ranger PX/PX2 6R80, the torque converter is a known weak point under heat and load. It’s not just one cause, but a mix of these:

Clutch Surface Wear: High mileage or repeated towing burns through the lock-up lining.

Fluid Breakdown: Old, oxidised ATF loses its ability to transfer pressure and cool the converter.

Solenoid Control Loss: The lock-up solenoid (part of the mechatronics) may stick or delay engagement.

Valve Body Cross-Leakage: Bore wear in the TCC circuit creates false pressure, leading to soft or late engagement.

In our experience, the core issue is usually the torque converter itself, especially if the fluid shows signs of heat or metal.

The Real Risk: Delaying Diagnosis

Here’s the problem. A lot of shops clear the code and send the customer on their way. Or they recommend a fluid flush, hoping that clears it.

But that doesn’t fix anything. If the lock-up clutch is slipping, it’s already shedding material into the fluid. If the solenoid’s sticking, you need to confirm it. And if the valve body’s cross-leaking, it’s going to cook the converter faster than you can say “trans cooler.”

Ignore it, and P0744 becomes a gateway to full-blown gearbox failure.

How Brisbane Tuning & Turbo Diagnoses P0744 the Right Way

At Brisbane Tuning & Turbo, we don’t throw parts or panic at a code. We’ve built a system to properly verify converter faults before they become disasters. It’s called the “Redorq TQ+ Diagnosis” and it’s designed for vehicles like the PX Ranger that show early converter symptoms.

For $285 only, we run your Ranger through a combined scan + fluid + dyno inspection that includes:

TCC Slip Graphing: We monitor commanded vs. actual slip RPM in real-world driving conditions

1) Lock-Up Timing Analysis: Delays, false positives, or late engagements get flagged

2) Fluid Health Check: We inspect colour, smell, and particle content for signs of overheating

3) Thermal Stress Test: Under load, we monitor converter pressure and clutch application patterns

We don’t rely on guesswork. We capture the data. Once we have the proof, we will show you what’s happening. And we explain the fix—not with jargon, but with plain-English photos and graphs.

The Redorq TQ+ Converter Repair Package

If we confirm the converter clutch is slipping — and the box itself is otherwise healthy — we offer a Redorq TQ+ converter upgrade, including:

Remanufactured torque converter with upgraded clutch materials

Optional heavy-duty external transmission cooler

Optional ECU remap to reduce early lock-up attempts under load

Fresh ATF (full synthetic) and a new filter

Professional install with dyno verification post-repair

Most repairs range from $2,600 to $3,700, depending on the upgrades chosen. That’s less than half the price of a box swap — and it actually targets the problem.

Why Redorq TQ+ Is Better Than “Replacing the Box”

Plenty of shops will quote you a second-hand 6R80 for $5,000-$9,000. But that doesn’t fix the converter. It just replaces the whole thing, often with no inspection of the core issue.

With Redorq TQ+, we do the opposite:

We isolate the problem. Test it. We fix just what needs fixing. You get your converter back with fresh clutch, clean fluid, and a known-good lock-up strategy. Plus, we log everything, so you’ve got the data to back it up if the problem ever comes back.

It’s smarter, cheaper, and safer — especially if you tow or work your Ranger hard.

What If You Ignore It?

We’ve had tradies put it off for six months. One of them drove 10,000 km towing a bobcat trailer with P0744 logged and fluid going brown. When the converter clutch finally gave out, the fluid pressure spike cracked the valve body separator plate. That turned into a full valve body + converter + solenoid job — nearly $5,800. And it could’ve been prevented for half the price.

What You Should Do Now

If your PX or PX2 Ranger has logged P0744 — even if it hasn’t come back — don’t ignore it. Don’t flush the fluid. Don’t just clear the code.

Book in for a Redorq TQ+ Diagnostic. We’ll scan, dyno, test, and report — with no guesswork. Just solid data, clear recommendations, and a proper repair path.

Because sometimes the best way to save your transmission… is to listen to it whisper before it starts screaming.

Call Brisbane Tuning & Turbo today and lock in your $285 Redorq Scan.

Your gearbox will thank you. And so will your wallet.