What is a Car’s Transmission?

Your transmission is a part of the engine that transforms power into toque. Torque is a force that rotates an object—like a wheel—around an axis or axle. Your transmission turns all of the motion in your engine into something that gets and keeps your car moving. Without a functioning transmission, your car won’t drive. Therefore, the following are the symptoms of bad transmission.

A car is supposed to run smoothly and without any shaking, or jerking, and there is not supposed to be any grinding sounds. These suggest that there is a problem with the gears. Manual transmissions commonly indicate problems by making a grinding noise or feeling when you shift into a gear. If the grinding occurs after engaging the clutch and shifting, this can be sign that the clutch may need to be replaced or adjusted. That said, it can also point towards several other issues including damaged or worn out gear synchronizes.

Automatic transmissions act a little differently. Instead of making a grinding noise, you will likely feel it take some time to wiggle into gear at first instead of the typical smooth transitions. As the problem gets worse, the transitions into the next gear become more jarring and involve more shaking. There are few other reasons for grinding or shaking, but the appropriate course of action is still to have it inspected and serviced.

Burning Smell

Any burning smell coming from your car is a cause for concern. Overheating transmission fluid is one of the causes of a burning smell. Transmission fluid helps keep the parts lubricated and cooled so that they don’t get worn out and damaged.

If the fluid breaks down, the system runs too hot which results in increase of friction and corrosive activity as well as the buildup of additional sludge and debris. If this is not taken care of, the transmission will eventually get damaged and break down completely. The end result is an expensive replacement. Common causes include low fluid level or using the incorrect brand/type of fluid not compatible to engine.

Hard to Engage in Gear

If the car will not shift after engaging the clutch and trying to move the stick, take a look at the fluid to make sure that it is at the right level. Other causes include using the incorrect thickness (type) of fluid and the clutch linkage or shift cables needing adjustment. The source of the problem could also be the vehicle’s computer system.

If you’ve already inspected the fluid, you can try resetting it. To do this, detach the battery and let it stand for thirty minutes. Then, reattach and allow the system to reset itself. This usually takes around thirty minutes. If this doesn’t work either, then it’s time to take it to a mechanic.

Check Engine Light

The check engine light is located on your car’s dashboard. It is a great early indicator that something is about to go wrong (or already has) with your car, and in particular with your transmission. While the light turns on for a number of reasons other than transmission issues, it very important not to ignore this helpful warning sign.

There are sensors placed in many areas of a car’s engine that alert the computer if it senses unusual activity coming from a particular process. The sensors on a transmission can pick up on the slightest jerks and vibrations than you are not able to see or feel.

Take the vehicle in and have it inspected. They can check and immediately tell what is happening through the use of similar diagnostic tools and the car’s computer.

If you’d like to diagnose the problem yourself (and possibly save yourself a trip to the mechanic’s) you can buy a diagnostic scan tool that is plugged into the instrument panel on the driver’s side and return a code that corresponds to the part that needs attention. Whatever you do, do not assume that the check engine light can wait because it might be warning you of a serious problem in the near future.
Read more: https://autoremedy365.com/symptoms-of-a-bad-transmission/