7 Most Common Transmission Problems

Posted by Dave Sar on August 1st, 2019

When a complete transmission failure happens it’s pretty obvious. Basically, the vehicle will not move forward or backward. And this is not generally something you want to see from your car.  There are some common signs of trouble that you or a certified technician can repair that will save you from becoming stranded in the middle of nowhere. In general, the symptoms presented by transmissions aren’t usually that serious and they can be inspected for prevention of significant damage in the future. Here you can find the Top 10  Tips for avoiding all of the headaches and bills.

1. Refuses to go into gear

This problem is very common in manual transmissions automobiles. When you press the clutch pedal, none of the gears will engage whether you're stopped or when you are moving and want to switch from one gear to another. The most common reason for this is that the transmission fluid is low, it does not have the correct viscosity, or you need to adjust the cables or connection with the clutch. The source of the problem could also be the vehicle’s computer system. So, if you’ve already inspected the fluid, you can try resetting the computer. To do this, detach the battery and let it stand for thirty minutes. Then, reattach and allow the system to reset itself. This usually takes around thirty minutes. If this still doesn’t work, it’s time to take your car to a certified mechanic. 

Burning Fluid Smell 
Any burning smell coming from your car is a cause for concern. If you smell burning oil, the transmission may be overheating. The transmission fluid also allows parts to be lubricated, maintaining adequate temperature, top prevent “burning ” components. In some vehicles, the gearbox is equipped with its own, small oil-to-air radiator that moves the fluid to carry heat away from the transmission unit. The main reasons for these problems are low fluid level, the incorrect type of fluid, or the fluid is dirty and needs to be changed. If this is not taken care of, the transmission will eventually damage itself enough to break down completely. The end result will be an expensive replacement.

          3.       Transmission Slipping 
When the transmission operates normally, the transmission remains in the gear that the computer designates for a specific range of RPMs at a certain speed. But when you’re traveling at a certain speed and it goes out of gear or it jumps out of gear, it’s a sign that you have a transmission problem. In cars with manual gearboxes, the lever returns to the neutral position. If this event happens, it's best to take your car to a shop as soon as possible, if you want to avoid the car leaving you stranded. When you need to step on the gas to avoid a dangerous situation, you need power delivered to the wheels, end of the story. The cause can be the link that holds the gears is worn or broken.

4.       Dragging Clutch 

A clutch dragging fails to disengage the drive plate oppressor when the driver presses the pedal clutch. When the driver attempts to make the gear change, it’s not possible because the clutch is engaged and rotating together with the engine. The driver realizes this due to the strong squealing sound generated when he tries to engage any gear. Frequently this problem is associated with the clutch pedal being loose, and with a lot of play. Fortunately, this problem is considerably less expensive to repair than many other issues. More often than not, the cause of this is too much slack in the clutch pedal. With too much slack available, the linkage between the clutch disk and pedal can’t pull the clutch disk away from the flywheel.

   5.    Transmission Noisy in Neutral 
Sometimes you can hear noise when the transmission is in neutral. Although this is rare, it can happen. The origin of this problem is again the low level of the transmission fluid, or an incorrect transmission fluid installed. On the other hand, if it was mechanical, it is a sign that some parts are worn and need to be changed. The solution is simple and cheap. Add some fluid or replacing it may do the trick. If that doesn’t work, the transmission may require professional attention to replace the worn-out parts, most commonly the bearings, worn gear teeth, or the reverse idler gear.

6.       Leaking or Low Fluid

One of the easiest ways to identify that the gearbox needs attention is when there is transmission fluid spilled all over your floor. In automatic transmissions, fluid it is vital for its operation, so if you notice oil spills in your garage you must be careful. The automatic transmission fluid is bright-red-light and has a “sweet” smell under normal conditions. If it is in poor conditions it is dark and smells “burnt”. To check if you’re running low on the fluid, take your car for a short drive to warm it up and then lift the hood and read the dipstick. It’s really important the vehicle stands on leveled ground.

Unlike engine oil, transmission fluid is not burned off or consumed by a car so if the level is low then there is a leak somewhere that must be patched. It is recommended to top up the fluid anyway even if the leak still exists to make sure there is enough fluid for the transmission to function properly until you get it fixed. If you suspect your transmission is leaking fluid, it's best to bring it to your trusted mechanic.

7. Check Engine Light

Although the check engine light can be triggered by a number of engine problems, it may be a sign that there is a problem with the transmission. It is best to take your unit to a scanning specialist, to see what kind of problem the computer finds Maybe it's something with the transmission or other vehicle modules. The sensors on a transmission can pick up the slightest jerks and vibrations that you’re not able to see or feel. If you’d like to diagnose the problem yourself and save a couple of bucks you can buy a diagnostic scan tool that is plugged into the instrument panel on the driver’s side and return a code that corresponds to the part that needs attention. Whatever you do, do not assume that the check engine light can wait because it might be a warning you of a serious problem in the near future. 

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Dave Sar

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Dave Sar
Joined: July 18th, 2019
Articles Posted: 3

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