Problems with your transmission are often very expensive and something you want to avoid. Here are the most common issues and problems you might encounter with your automatic transmission.
The most important and expensive components of your vehicle are the engine and the transmission. But while many people know what to look for to diagnose an engine problem, the transmission doesn’t always get the same attention.
In this guide, we will break down the ten most common transmission problems before explaining how to troubleshoot and fix some of the simpler ones.
The most common transmission problems are leaking seals, a worn-out clutch, or old transmission fluid. Faulty components inside the transmission, such as bad shift solenoids, broken transmission bands, or a faulty torque converter, are also very common.
Here is a more detailed list of the most common transmission issues and problems:
10 Most Common Transmission Problems
1. Leaking Seals
Just like your engine, oil fills your transmission to keep everything running smoothly. This transmission fluid is held inside by seals and gaskets, and as your transmission ages, these seals and gaskets can wear out. If this happens, you will have a leak and will need to perform repairs.
2. Worn Out Clutch
If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, one of the most common problems you will encounter is a worn-out clutch. Replacing a clutch is neither easy nor cheap, but it is necessary to get things working as they should.
3. Old Transmission Fluid/Filter
Although you don’t need to change your transmission fluid as often as your engine oil, it doesn’t last forever. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see how often you should change your transmission fluid.
4. Broken Sensor
Modern vehicles have sensors everywhere, and that includes the transmission. A common issue is that as a vehicle ages, these sensors start to wear out and fail. When this happens, you will need to replace them.
5. Slipping Gears
Whether you drive a transmission
6. Worn Torque Converter
If you have an automatic transmission, you have a torque converter. Although a torque converter has a fairly decent lifespan, it is not uncommon for it to wear out. If this happens, you will hear grinding noises when your transmission shifts gears, and your transmission will need to be rebuilt.
7. Faulty Shift Solenoids
Solenoids usually last longer than sensors, but if your transmission is old enough or you are simply unlucky, you might find that your transmission has a faulty solenoid. Solenoids are more expensive than sensors, so be prepared to spend a bit more on repairs.
8. Overheating Transmission
Although an overheating transmission is a sign of a deeper problem, it might be the only thing you notice. There are tons of reasons why your transmission might overheat. From stuck gears to old transmission fluid, you will need to troubleshoot your transmission carefully to find out what is going on.
9. Broken Transmission Bands
Transmission bands hold different gears together to provide the correct output ratio. But when these bands start to break, you will find that your transmission simply doesn’t have the gears it should have.
This is a problem with automatic transmissions, so what you will notice is a transmission that stays stuck at higher or lower RPMs and doesn’t accelerate as it should.
10. Rough Shifting
Rough shifting is another one of those problems that can be caused by a litany of issues. There could be stuck gears, worn bands, or a dozen other problems. The only way to know for sure is to take apart your transmission and rebuild it.
Basic Transmission Troubleshooting
Although there are many problems that can lead to a faulty transmission, if you know what to look for, you can catch issues early and save a ton of money.
That’s why we’ve taken the time to help you troubleshoot three of the common problems here. This way, you can fix issues while they are still small.
Leaks
Troubleshooting a leak is one of the simplest tasks. Look for the highest point of a leak; gravity pulls the fluid downward, so once you find the top, you have located the leak. If it’s coming from the bottom, it’s likely the transmission pan, but it’s probably a front seal if it’s coming from the front.
Find the leak, then assess how complicated and expensive the repairs will be.
Rough Shifting/Slipping Out of Gear
When you notice that your transmission is having trouble engaging and disengaging gears, the best thing to do is flush the transmission fluid and add some anti-slip additive to get things working like new.
Although this doesn’t always work, if you catch the problem early enough, it might be all you need to get another 40,000 to 50,000 miles out of your transmission before needing a rebuild.
Unable to Get Into Gear
When your transmission can’t engage or disengage a specific gear, it could be due to a litany of problems. Start by connecting an OBD II scanner to your vehicle and see if the TCM is generating any codes. If so, your problem might be as simple as a faulty sensor or solenoid.
However, if you don’t have any TCM codes, there is likely something serious wrong with your transmission. It could be broken bands or stuck gears. In any case, you will need a rebuild. Transmission rebuilds are not cheap, so you might want to start saving now.
Summary
There are few components as critical as your transmission. That’s why you need to have a thorough understanding of how it works and keep an eye out for when things aren’t working as they should.
Because even though transmission repairs can be expensive, you can often catch problems early if you know what to look for. I hope this guide has given you everything you need to know to diagnose your transmission and get things working as they should.
This way, the next time you hit the road, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle will perform as it’s supposed to.