Three Common Issues With Transmissions
Owning a car is a huge responsibility. You need to ensure you follow the proper laws, keep the car registered, and make sure it is up to date on inspections. You want your car to last, so it's important to take it in regularly to a mechanic. They will be able to tell you if there is anything wrong with the vehicle and repair it for you. However, sometimes the cars don't make it to the annual inspection. One of the main things that fail on a vehicle is the transmission. This guide goes over recognizing transmission problems and how to troubleshoot them.
Leaking Fluid
One of the most common reasons a tranny will fail is because of leaking fluid. The fluid is required to keep the transmission lubricated and running smoothly. When that fluid is gone or low, the engine might stop working. You can recognize a transmission leak due to the color and scent. It is bright red and smells sweet. If you have spots like this, you just need to locate the hole and fix it. If the puddle appears dark red and smells burnt, that means the transmission fluid needs to be flushed out and refilled.
Grinding
If you're driving and notice grinding noises, it may be a sign of a faulty transmission. It usually points to an issue with the gears. The clutch might need to be replaced if the grinding happens after shifting. It may also be the synchronizes failing due to normal wear and tear on the gears. The vehicle will need to be serviced in order to fix the grinding.
Not Shifting
Sometimes the vehicle will refuse to shift into gear. When this happens, the first thing you should check is the transmission fluid. Refill it if it is empty or low. If it seems to be at an adequate level, check the shift cables and adjust them if necessary. One last thing you can try is resetting the vehicle. Unplug the battery and let it sit for half an hour. Reattach the battery and see if the problem fixed itself. Otherwise, you will need to go to a mechanic.
Conclusion
Transmission repairs can be quite costly, so at the first sign of a problem, you should have the vehicle serviced by a professional. They might catch the problem before it grows into a bigger, more expensive one. You may end up needing a new transmission if the problem is bad enough.
For more information, contact a company like Vonkattengell Transmission Service.