Protech Auto Repair and Diagnostics

When do you repair or replace your transmission and when do you just say enough and buy a new car? 

This three part blog will answer most questions people have when faced with a transmission issue. 

Repairing a transmission is obviously preferable.  It is the least expensive way to go.  We will look at the ten most common symptoms of transmission problems.  What symptoms are present and what is involved in repairing them.  The second part of this blog will be talking about replacing the transmission with a rebuilt model from a company like Jasper Engines and Transmissions. The third part will discuss when to suck it up and buy a new car.  Here are the top problems and their PROBABLE causes:

1. The gear shift will not budge when you press the clutch.  This obviously is for manual transmissions.  Even though they are simpler than automatic transmissions, things still go wrong.  The most common cause of gear shift lockup is low transmission fluid, the wrong fluid viscosity or thickness or it could just be an adjustment of the linkage.  The linkage is just that.  It is a cable that links the gear shift to the transmission housing.

2. A burning smell.  A burning transmission fluid smell is one thing that cannot be ignored.  Transmission fluid is like oil for your transmission. It keeps the gears lubricated but it also acts as a coolant. Again, the most common causes are low or worn out transmission fluid.  Totally preventable.

3.  Transmission is noisy. Even in neutral. This could be a lack of effective transmission fluid or possibly something more serious like worn gear teeth or worn bearings.  This one could be cheap or expensive. A lack of fluid will cause a noisy transmission.

4. Slipping out of gear.  This is most likely serious.  If your gear shift pops back into neutral, it is time to have your transmission examined.  Clutch packs inside the tranny could be burnt and need replacing.  It is worth trying a flush, which could free a moving part that may be stuck.  Either way, have it checked.  

5. Here's another transmission issue that plagues manual transmissions: a dragging clutch. This issue creates gear shearing and a nasty grinding noise.  This can seem like a really big expense, but, in most cases, the problem is not severe.  It is just too much slack in the clutch pedal so the linkage does not disengage the flywheel.  Get it fixed before your gears start shearing. Shearing gears IS serious.

6. Leaking transmission fluid is by far one of the easiest ways to tell that your transmission needs repair.  Transmissions are closed loop and should NEVER leak.  Even a little fluid on your driveway can turn into a major problem. See above problems, most are caused by a lack of fluid or the wrong fluid.  Most people mistake transmission fluid for oil or coolant.  Automatic transmission fluid is bright red and clear when everything's working and the fluid is still good.  If it is dark and smells burnt have it FLUSHED.  If you have a manual transmission, checking the fluid levels which is like checking your oil. A leaking transmission could be as simple as a cracked fitting or a cracked hose but trust us; it won’t be simple if you don’t get it repaired.  

7. If your fluid level is good see if your check engine light is on.  See our earlier blog about this subject.  The check engine light may be a great early indicator that something is starting to go wrong with your transmission. Engine diagnostics can pick up vibrations and sense problems early on.  The check engine light can come on for myriad of reasons not related to your transmission, but it may be time for a transmission repair.

8. Grinding sound.  A grinding means that the clutch is not disengaging the gears from the flywheel.  The grinding could also be accompanied by a slamming, jarring sensation as it goes into the next gear.  There are a lot of reasons from a simple worn clutch but probably gear synchronizers that help the gears engage smoothly.

9. Whining sound or clunking sound. You know your car like you know your body.  When something is not right you know it because something is different.  So when your car is making a noise for the first time, you know it right away.  The noises like whirring or clunking could be the rear end (differential or CV joints) or the transmission.  One thing for certain is it will get worse over time. 

   

   Manual Transmission

10. A lack of response. If your car is shifting gears or accelerating slowly and lagging when going into park, there is an issue.  This probably means a worn out clutch.  Not a small expense but not huge either.

Please see our next blog regarding what to do if you transmission needs replacing.