We at Trans Works Transmissions have been in the business long enough to know the telltale signs of an automatic transmission repair. One of the most common and easily spotted problems: your transmission is stubborn or outright refuses to get into gear. But there are other signs that indicate that your transmission needs a repair or replacement. We’ll start with one of the most overlooked but most prominent:
Leaking Transmission Fluid
Leaking fluid is often an accepted part of running a vehicle, but it shouldn’t be. What you may think is “just a leaky air conditioner” will actually turn out to be a leaking transmission.
If your vehicle does not have enough transmission fluid present, then it will not be able to shift gears. Automatic transmission fluid usually appears to be bright red, be clear, and it may be a bit sweet smelling as opposed to other fluids in your car. If your fluid is dark in color, then you will need to have a transmission replace your fluid and see how your vehicle runs. If that doesn’t work, the next steps should help you uncover what is wrong with your automatic transmission.
Being Noisy While In Neutral
Another clear sign that your transmission needs some TLC: it’s noisy. You should not hear any strange noises when shifting gears that much almost every vehicle owner knows. But you also should not be hearing your vehicle when it is in neutral. If you are, then nipping that problem in the bud now may prevent long-term or lifetime problems with your car’s transmission.
Your Vehicle Grinds or Shakes
If you feel a grinding or a shaking sensation when your vehicle goes into a new gear, this is a clear sign that there is transmission trouble brewing. This most commonly and noticeably occurs with manual transmission; though it has been known to happen with automatic transmission (the vehicle may shimmy into the next or previous ear rather than almost seamlessly glide into the appropriate gear).
Those Whining, Clunking and Humming Sounds
Your vehicle should not make any noticeably different sounds when it operates. An automatic transition should be silent and should not hum, whine or buzz. If that happens, then your transmission most certainly needs to be looked at by us here at Trans Works Transmissions.
Irresponsive Transmission Systems
The number one sign that something is awry with you automatic transmission is the fact that it refuses to do what you tell it to do. With a manual transmission, you may be able to spot this sooner. But with automatic transmission, this problem often makes itself glaringly apparent when you try to place the car in “Park” or in “Drive.” If your vehicle hesitates to move in either direction, it is time to take it to the transmission doctors here at Trans Works Transmissions.
