
Originally Posted by
YNOT
What you are feeling is the torque converter locking up.
The torque converter is a fluid coupling that fits between the engine and the gearbox, where the clutch would be in a manual. it's a bit hard to explain exactly how the T/C works but like a clutch it has one element connected directly to the crankshaft and another element connected to the gearbox. The two elements are only connected by transmission fluid, there is no direct coupling. Under normal conditions there will always be an amount of slip between the engine and transmission which is inefficient, so manufactures started installing lock up clutches in torque converters to eliminate the slip under cruise conditions.
What you have described is exactly the conditions under which the T/C will lock and unlock, right down to the T/C unlocking on deceleration.
Tony