Troubleshooting Tips for Car Transmission Problems

Many car experts agree that vehicle transmission failure has a direct or indirect connection to poor maintenance. Therefore, car owners need to institute a proper preventive maintenance program, which can help them avoid engine failures, reduce repair costs, and lessen vehicle downtime. Problems involving a car's mechanical system do not occur overnight. You will experience signs and symptoms that will show that something is off with the car's operation. With this in mind, this article examines some troubleshooting tips for car transmission problems.

Noisy Operation -- Noise can reverberate through a vehicle's drivetrain due to a host of reasons including, but not limited to, out-of-balance wheels, loose or damaged engine mounts, imbalanced clutch assembly, damaged vibration damper or engine fan, and unstable crankshaft. The first thing that a mechanic will do is no determine the source of this noise and the conditions that cause the noise. Furthermore, the nature of sound can be a pointer to the type of problem in the drivetrain. For example, a rattling noise can be caused by a cylinder misfire while a mismatch in gear sets might produce a whining sound. Sometimes, a mechanic might have to take the car for a road test to diagnose the noise problem.

Lack of Response when Changing Gears -- One of the most common transmission problems is failure or hesitation of the unit to go into gear. The effect can be felt in both manual and automatic transmission systems. The only difference is that when you try engaging a manual gear, the gear will shift, but the RPM of the engine might surge without responding accordingly regarding speed. One common cause of this issue is a faulty clutch in manual cars. The gear shift linkage might need to be replaced or lubricated. Also, the transmission case might be misaligned, which requires removal, cleaning, and realigning.

Leaking Fluid -- One of the most straightforward signs of a probable transmission break down is the fluid leak. All vehicles have an automatic transmission fluid (ATF). The fluid is responsible for cleaning, lubricating, and conditioning seals. The fluid also doubles up like a hydraulic fluid, which helps to move components. The natural colour of the liquid is clear red with a sweet smell. When the fluid turns dark, then it is time to change it. Since the ATF fluid is not consumed by the car, its level should remain relatively the same for years. Therefore, when you spot a leak take the vehicle to a mechanic to patch the leaking area. 

Share