Most Common Reasons Why Your Transmission May Be Failing

Automatic transmission is one of the most complex systems in a vehicle. You need to pay close attention if your vehicle starts running differently such as strange sounds, peculiar smells, or handling differently while driving. These signs could indicate a problem with your transmission. Properly diagnosing the vehicle’s problem is very important. Below is the most common reason

why your transmission may be failing and may require transmission repair.

Transmission Won’t Stay in Gear or Engage

If your vehicle is in gear and it won’t move, this may be an issue with the shifter, the shifter cable, low transmission fluid due to a leak, or a valve problem in the body of the transmission. Most modern vehicles have computers to communicate to the transmission when a selection is made to engage into gears. You may need to check for trouble codes from the vehicles computer system.

Transmission Fluid is Leaking

You probably have transmission fluid leak if you notice a red, pink, or brown fluid under your vehicle. The leak could be from a seal, gasket or one of the cooler lines. Fluid leaks could be dangerous if it encounters a very hot surface such as a hot pipe. Check dip stick, if possible, for fluid levels and condition of the transmission fluid.

Burning Smell

A fluid leak typically causes a burning smell or having low fluid can cause a burning clutch smell. You might be able to prevent damage to the transmission if caught

quickly.

Shifts Are Missing Gears

You may have low transmission fluid if your transmission takes a while to go into gear. This could be due to a leak or fluid contamination. Overtime this can develop into an overheating condition which can result in damaging internal transmission parts.

Humming, Buzzing or Clunking Noise

A roaring noise from inside the transmission is a good indication of an internal problem such as planetary gears damaged, a bad bearing or a bad internal sealing surface, a seal, or a transmission fluid leak.

Check Engine Light Is On

A check engine light can tell you that you have problems with the engine or the transmission. Transmission problems such as solenoid problems, overheating, slipping transmission and other problems. Trouble codes can be retrieved to help indicate where the problem is.

While all transmission failures can’t be prevented, proper maintenance is the most important step you can take to help keep your transmission running smoothly. Call Eagle Transmission Repair in Mesquite for all your transmission services and repairs.