So what are the most common transmission problems a vehicle can experience, and what can you do to fix them? We’ll cover that here, but first, let’s talk about transmissions and how they work.
Types of Transmissions
There are three types of transmissions: manual (using a clutch and a manual gearbox with a stick shift that you operate by hand), automatic transmissions (you select between park, reverse and drive, but otherwise it shifts itself), and CVT transmissions (Continuously Variable Transmissions, which use pulleys instead of gears). These transfer the engine’s power to the vehicle’s wheels.
How will you know if something is wrong?
Several indicators will clue you in that something is amiss with your transmission. Here are a few of the most common tell-tale signs.
- A transmission fluid leak (look for red or brownish-red spots or pools on your driveway).
- Your transmission shifts rough or slips out of gear, which may feel like the engine is revving up and down with no increase or decrease in vehicle speed.
- Your transmission won’t go into gear (the vehicle will not move).
- Your transmission is clunking, grinding, whirring, shuddering, or making a humming noise.
10 Most Common Transmission Problems
The most common transmission problems are leaking seals, a worn clutch, or old transmission oil. Faulty components inside the transmission, such as bad shift solenoids, bad transmission belts, or a faulty torque converter, are also very common.
Here is a more detailed list of the most common transmission problems and issues:
#1. Leaking Seals.
Just like your engine, oil fills your transmission to keep everything running smoothly. That transmission fluid is held inside through gaskets and seals, and as your transmission ages, those gaskets and seals can wear out. If this happens, you’ll get a leak, and you’ll have big transmission problems.
#2. Worn Out Clutch.
If you drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, one of the most common problems you’re going to encounter is a worn-out clutch. Replacing a clutch isn’t easy or cheap, but it’s necessary to keep things running the way they should.
#3. Old Transmission Fluid/Filter.
While you don’t need to change your transmission fluid as often as your engine oil, it still doesn’t last forever. Check out your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see how often you should be changing your transmission fluid.
#4. Broken Sensor.
Modern vehicles have sensors everywhere, and that includes the transmission. A common problem is that, as a vehicle ages, those sensors start to wear out and breakdown. When this happens, you’ll need to replace them.
#5. Slipping Gears.
Whether you drive an automatic or manual transmission, as it ages, it can start to slip gears. While this might be more noticeable in a manual, it certainly happens in automatic transmissions.
#6. Worn Torque Converter.
If you have an automatic transmission, you have a torque converter. While a torque converter has a pretty decent service life, it’s not unheard of for them to wear out. If this happens, you’ll hear grinding noises as your transmission shifts gears, and your transmission will need a rebuild.
#7. Faulty Shift Solenoids.
Solenoids usually last longer than sensors, but if your transmission gets old enough or if you’re just unlucky, you might find that your transmission has a faulty solenoid. Solenoids are more expensive than sensors, so be prepared to spend a little more on repairs.
#8. Overheating Transmission.
While an overheating transmission is a sign of a deeper problem, it might be the only thing you notice. There are tons of reasons your transmission might overheat. From jammed gears to old transmission fluid, you’ll need to thoroughly troubleshoot your transmission to find out what’s going on.
#9. Broken Transmission Bands.
Transmission bands hold different gears together to get you the proper output ratio. But when these bands start to break, you’ll find that your transmission simply doesn’t have gears that it should.
This is a problem with automatic transmissions, so what you’ll notice is a transmission that gets stuck in higher or lower RPMs and won’t accelerate like it’s supposed to.
#10. Rough Shifting.
Rough shifting is another problem that has a litany of underlying potential causes. There could be jammed gears, worn bands, or about a dozen other problems. The only way to find out for sure is to tear apart your transmission and rebuild it.
Basic Transmission Troubleshooting
While there are plenty of issues that can lead to a faulty transmission, if you know what you’re looking for, you can catch problems early and save yourself a ton of money.
That’s why I took the time to help you troubleshoot three of the common problems here. That way, you can fix problems when they’re small.
Leaks
Troubleshooting a leak is one of the more straightforward jobs. Look for the highest point of a leak, gravity pulls fluid down, so once you’ve found the top you’ve located the leak. If it’s coming from the bottom, it’s likely the transmission pan, but it’s likely a front main if it’s coming from the front.
Find the leak, then look into how complicated and expensive the repairs will be.
Rough Shifting/Slipping Out of Gear
When you find that your transmission is rough getting in and out of gears, the best thing you can do is a transmission fluid flush and add a little bit of a slip-stop additive to get things running like new.
While this won’t always work, if you catch the problem early enough, it might be just what you need to get another 40,000 to 50,000 miles out of your transmission before you need a rebuild.
Unable to Get Into Gear
When your transmission can’t get into or out of a specific gear, it can because of any number of problems. Start by hooking up an OBD II reader to your vehicle and seeing if the TCM generates any codes. If this is the case, your problem might be as simple as a faulty sensor or solenoid.
However, if you don’t have any TCM codes, there is likely something seriously wrong inside your transmission. This could be snapped bands or jammed gears. Either way, you’ll need a rebuild. Transmission rebuilds aren’t cheap, so you might want to start saving up now.
How Much Will It Cost to Repair My Transmission?
Repairing a transmission is one of the most expensive jobs a mechanic can do. Since the transmission is so important to the function of the car, it costs a lot to repair. The average cost to repair a transmission ranges from $ 1,800 to $ 3,400, depending on many factors.
Your options are a few when repairing a transmission. You can purchase a used transmission that costs anywhere from $ 800 to $ 1,500. A rebuilt transmission costs between $ 1,100 and $ 2,800, and a refurbished transmission cost between $ 1,300 and 3,400.
These prices are exactly what it costs for the transmission. In addition, you have to pay the labor costs. The labor cost of removing and repairing a transmission ranges from $ 500 to $ 1,200. It takes a mechanic 4 to 10 hours to complete this job.
If you’re looking to buy a rebuilt system, the cost is similar to replacing a transmission. It all depends on the amount of total damage. The more expensive transmission is usually for high-end vehicles or comes from a highly rated mechanic.
The basic repairs will cost you the least amount of money. This will be between $ 300 and $ 1,400. There are many different factors that play a role in how much it will cost to repair your transmission. It will depend on the type of your car, the type of transmission you have bought, and the mechanic you choose.
Looking to Save Money?
There are a few ways you can reduce the cost of repairing a transmission. You can buy a remanufactured transmission yourself and then pay the local repair shop to do the work to install the new transmission.
If you, have it bought from a repair shop, they’ll tag the device you bought so you pay more? It’s cheaper for you to buy a transmission yourself and then take all of the parts to a mechanic.
What Are Some Factors That Will Affect the Cost?
There are many different factors that will determine the cost of your transmission repair. The most important factor is the type and extent of the repair. If you completely repair the entire transmission, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars to repair it.
- Extend of the damage done to the transmission: Was your transmission well maintained? Has it gone through a lot of damage and wear and tear? What your car has been through will affect how much the repair will cost.
- Manual vs Automatic: Do you have an automatic transmission? Typically, manual transmissions will cost less compared to automatic transmissions.
- Make of the car: What type of car do you have? Is it a US domestic model or is it an imported vehicle? This will make a difference in the price of your transmission. Normally the US models will cost less than the imported vehicles.
- Repair shop: Every repair shop charges different prices for a transmission repair. It normally depends on their location and reputation of the shop.
- Old vs New: If you have an older car, it could be more difficult to find the correct parts. This means it will cost more money to find these rare parts and repair the transmission.
- Where you live: If you live in an area where there is a higher cost of living or a higher demand for services, you will see a higher labor cost. This will increase the cost of your transmission repair.
How Is A Transmission Rebuilt?
Rebuilding a transmission is a very labor-intensive task. There are many steps to repairing a transmission. The mechanics have to disassemble the transmission to look for problems in the transmission. Then they need to replace any parts that cause malfunction.
A mechanic must check these three aspects before repairing the transmission.
The first thing to do is change the fluid. If the transmission fluid is dirty or too low, the transmission will not work properly. Next, they need to look for error codes. The vehicle has a computer system that controls automatic shifting.
If the computer system is not reading the RPM correctly, the problem may be with the computer system. A mechanic needs to replace the sensors.
The last thing to do before starting any transmission repair is to test and inspect the car. Once all of these steps are complete, a mechanic can begin repairing the transmission.