Signs That Your Transmission Needs Repair
Posted on: 20 May 2019
The transmission in your car or truck is an essential part of the drivetrain. If the transmission is not working properly, it can affect the way the vehicle drives or if it moves at all. Here are some common problems that you may experience that will let you know that it is time to take the car to a transmission shop for service.
Slow Shifting
An automatic transmission that is shifting late definitely indicates a problem. If the transmission is low on fluid pressure inside the transmission, it can delay the shift until the engine RPMs go high enough to create the pressure in the transmission for it to shift. A low fluid level, a clogged filter, or damage to the shift valve body can all cause late shifting, but the transmission needs to be partially disassembled to properly diagnose the problem and fix it.
Noise Coming From the Transmission
Another common problem that should prompt a trip to the transmission shop is noise coming from the transmission. The most common reason for noise to be coming from the transmission is damage to some of the internal parts that make the transmission work. There is no way for you to tell what needs repair except to take the transmission apart. If you have a strange noise coming out of the transmission area, take the vehicle in and have a mechanic check it. If you ignore it, the transmission could fail, and instead of a repair, you may need a completely new transmission, which is much more expensive.
Leaking Transmission Fluid or Oil
If you notice red-colored oil on the ground under your car or truck, try and identify where it is coming from. If the oil is on the transmission housing and you have a significate amount on the ground, you may have damage to the transmission seal or a crack in the case. Take the vehicle to the transmission shop and have them check the leak for you. It may be a simple fix, but it could involve replacing the transmission, especially if there is a crack in the housing.
Cracks in a transmission case are not overly common unless something has impacted the underside of the transmission case. It is unlikely for that to happen without you realizing that something hit the underside of the vehicle, but it can happen. In any case, a major leak can lead to bigger problems quickly, so inspection of the transmission is important as soon as you see the leak.
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