When something's wrong with the automatic transmission, car owners tend to be clueless about it. This should not be the case. Before you bring in your car for repairs, you should do a little homework first. Once you have the knowledge, you can decide whether or not your car needs the services of a transmission repair shop.
There two are types of automatic transmission problems. Either your car will not go smoothly or it will not go at all. These two problems are caused by different errors in the transmission system. Here are some common transmission problems and how to avoid or remedy them.
Incorrect fluid level
You need to check the transmission fluid at least twice a year. When the fluid level is low, the car will have a hard time shifting. You should immediately refill the fluid to enjoy smoother shifting performance. When you run your car in this state for a prolonged period of time, the transmission will be damaged. If you're losing fluid regularly then you might have a leak.
Leaking transmission
Leaks can easily be detected in a transmission system. Being a closed system, there are only a couple of places where fluid can spring from. Plus the fluid will have a red color that you can easily trace where it's coming out of. Here's a checklist of where leaks can come from:
- At the filler tube base.
- Between the engine and the transmission.
- Transmission's drain hole
- At the selector shaft. This is the rod that connects the transmission to the gear shift.
- At the radiator. Transmissions with coolers can cause the transmission fluid to seep into the radiator. The fluids will not mix and you can easily discern if there's a leak.
- Speed sensor mounting point
- Clogged filter
The transmission's filter plays a vital role to the car's overall performance. The filter should be checked regularly as well and if possible, it should be replaced often to avoid clogs. This should be one of the first things to be checked when a transmission problem occurs.
Many automatic transmission problems can not be fixed without special tools and equipment. It would not be a sound investment for most people to buy specialized tools for your home use. The most practical solution is to have the transmission repaired by a certified professional. Once you have contacted one, tell him what your transmission symptoms are. If you found a leak, let him you know where it is located and how fast the fluid is leaking. This information can help the mechanic resolve the problem more quickly.
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Automatic-Transmissions—Common-Problems-and-Solutions&id=2289895
