Before you go to the mechanic, it only makes sense to first diagnose whatever car problem you are experiencing, just if you are not sure it’s a serious one. Car problems that are mechanical typically come in distinct sensation and sound. These are the main indicators that one thing or another does not function normally. Having said, if the problem is with your car’s transmission, there are ways to be sure. While auto transmissions may survive long usage, problems with it cannot be avoided.
Noisy transmission in neutral
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If you hear unnatural noises when you shift the car, the transmission might be acting up. This may also be the case if your car is in neutral. This noisy situation could have a straightforward and less costly solution – adding transmission fluid. However, different vehicles require different formulation so it helps to check the user’s manual. But noises coming from the transmission when the car is in neutral could also mean something serious such as the need for replacement of other parts. In most cases, the usual causes are worn gear teeth, worn bearings, or worn reverse idler gear.
Burning fluid smell
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If you do smell like there is something that’s burning inside your car, this might indicate that the transmission is overheating. The transmission fluid serves to lubricate the moving parts of the car as well as prevent the transmission from burning up. There are even cars that have their own oil cooler or mini radiator which circulates the fluid in order to transport heat out of the transmission. The burning smell can also be caused by low transmission fluid which might result in a leak or also indicate the need to change fluid.
Clutch is dragging
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Another transmission problem in manual transmission is the dragging clutch. If the clutch is dragging, the clutch disk fails to disengage from the flywheel whenever the clutch pedal is pushed by the driver. Shifting gears is practically impossible since the clutch is still engaged, meaning it’s still spinning with the engine. You will surely know this when you hear a grinding noise every time a shift is attempted. Fortunately, fixing this problem is not difficult or costly. Mostly the problem here is the loose clutch pedal which means the cable between the clutch disk and the pedal does not have leverage enough to detach the clutch disk from the pressure plate or flywheel.
Malfunction indicator light turns on
? Source: Wikipedia/Wikiuser100000
If the engine light is on, it could mean that something is awry with your transmission unit. But there may also be other reasons why the engine light comes on that are not related to the transmission. New cars have sensors in the engine which pick up abnormalities in the engine and then notify the electrical system about it. These sensors can pick up vibrations and other on-set problems that you might overlook. To know if the “check engine light” indicates a transmission problem, you can use a scan tool which you can plug underneath the instrument panel beside the driver’s seat. This tool will display a code corresponding to the part of the car causing the irregularity.
Transmission fluid is leaking
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Check for fluid leaks. Fluid in automatic transmission is important in the shifting capabilities of vehicles which means even a little fluid leak on the driveway may turn into a serious problem. If there is no problem with the transmission, the automatic transmission fluid is clear and bright red. In other words, if the automatic transmission fluid has a dark color and smells burnt, then something is definitely wrong. On the other hand, manual transmission fluid levels need to be checked through the fill plug. If there is a leak, better go to a mechanic and have the transmission checked.
Grinding sound or car starts shaking
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Whether your car has automatic or manual transmission, its response may vary if the transmission is not working well. For manual transmissions, the usual sign of trouble is the grinding sound produced when shifting to a new gear. For automatic transmissions, the car may shimmy into each of the gear instead of the usual unnoticeable shifts. In either case, this means the transmission of your vehicle needs attention.
No transmission response
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Transmissions are supposed to go with the correct gear so if this does not happen, then something is wrong. Once this happens, it is better to visit the mechanic for expert care.
Clunking, humming, and buzzing sound
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Every car has different ways of manufacturing. Again, the sound that comes from either automatic transmission or manual transmission may differ. In automatic transmissions, there should be a clunking, humming, or buzzing sound while manual transmissions have a mechanical and abrupt sound. If these noises occur more often than once, then you may have to take your vehicle to an expert.
To look for a more detailed tutorial, this video will help you explore some problems with your car’s transmission.
Want to see what other car owners deal with transmission trouble? Check out these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Px3sC2yCMEo – transmission problem of Ford Edge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkTybnYtx8o – transmission problem of Acura TL