Free Auto Repair Advice by Certified ASE Technicians
Repair Topics / Transmission-1
/ Transmission-2 /
Transmission-3 /
Transmission-4 /
Transmission-5
/ Transmission-6 /
Transmission-7
/ Transmission-8
/ Transmission-9
/ Transmission-10
MORE: Transmission questions
Car Transmission Questions
Question: 1991 Plymouth Voyager Van 3.0 mileage: 70.00. AT
60 mph or above 3 speed auto transmission seems to shift in and out of gear. Tachometer
will go up and down when this happens. Garage put in rebuilt torque converter and
it did not fix it. Then they put in a valve switch and then they rebuilt transmission.
All this and it still is not fixed. Then they put on an engine modulator and that
did not fix it either.
Answer: Your problem is most likely caused by a faulty transmission control
module.
Question: 1991 Mitsubishi Galant GSR 1997 CC mileage: 60,000. Hey, guys
I gotta question about transmissions. I have a Mitsubishi Galant with a semi-new
engine, and just about everything else has replaced. The last thing to fix in the
10 yr old car is the transmission. It has a 5-spd manual transmission. While driving
on the interstate a few weeks ago, the 5th gear would "slip out" and the gearshift
would go back to neutral. So to make it home, I had to hold it in 5th position.
Eventually it went out completely. I got it home, but then when I wanted to move
it out of my garage, I could not put it in reverse. So, both the 5th gear and reverse
are no long useable. I've contacted some mechanics in my town, and they say that
the synchronizers are shot, and that I will need a new transmission. Just wondering
what you guys think about the situation, and if you could help. Thanks a bunch!
Answer: The cost of a replacement transmission may be relatively expensive.
Done properly, having your transmission repaired would serve you just as well and
be a whole lot cheaper.
Question: 1993 Mazda 929 3.0 V6 mileage: 96,000. My 1993 Mazda 929 shifts
very hard going into 2nd gear. One dealer is telling me there is a small hand held
machine that you can hook up to the car's computer and it will tell you if there
is a problem with the transmission. Another dealer told me there is no computer
on the 1993 model and all you can do is look for a light on the dash. This light
is supposed to flash a code that tells you what is wrong with the transmission.
If this is true, is it possible that the light is burned out or is not working?
Thank you for your response, I am very desperate for an honest answer!
Answer: Your car has both systems. You can hook up a scanner and read
the computer or you can cycle the computer and it will flash the light on the dash.
Either way, you will be able to read a fault code to identify the problem.
Question: 1995 Dodge Neon 2.0L sohc mileage: 35,000. My son let the transmission
fluid get very low on his automatic transition neon. He did not tell me until it
started slipping in third gear. We toped off the fluid level and all was fine for
a while. Now it seems to slip going into 2nd and third gears even though the fluid
level is fine. Eventually it goes into gear by letting up on the gas. What has happened
and what is the cure?
Answer: When a transmission gets low on fluid and starts to slip, what
is slipping is the clutch packs. When this occurs, the clutches wear out quickly.
In this instance, you will need to remove the transmission and replace the clutch
packs (transmission overhaul).
Question: 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 mileage: 51,000. I've changed the
trans filter and fluid. Shortly after, I checked it and the oil looked like pancake
syrup. Was not thick but discolored. How can I drain the converter? And, how do
you adjust the clutches. Gail.
Answer: Clutch packs are not adjustable. The transmission fluid after service
can look discolored because only half of the fluid is change during service - the
other half is in the converter. Some torque converters have drain plugs, some do
not. If your car has a drain plug, the job is easy, if it does not, it is very difficult.
Changing half the fluid will prolong the life of your transmission
Question: 1990 Mazda 929 V6 mileage: 107,000. Here is a question for you
Mazda engineers. From 1st gear to 2nd, or from a complete stop (such as a stop light)
and you give the car gas, should the Rpms jump from 2000 to 3000-4000 RPMS? I can
understand a gradually climb, but my car first hesitates and then jumps to like
between 3000 and 4000 rpms and then shifts. Also on the highway if you want to change
lanes, it does same if you give her some gas. I have taken the car to the mechanic
and was told that the transmission was fine, but I think their idea of fine means
if the car moves. So, for peace of mind sake, I had the transmission flushed, but
the same problem remains. Should I be looking at the fuel injectors maybe the car
isn't getting enough gas or have the transmission checked again?
Answer: If your car is equipped with a manual transmission the clutch is
in need of replacement. If you have an automatic transmission, it may need to be
rebuilt.
Question: 1996 Ford Taurus GL 3.0 V6 mileage: 38,000. Bought car in November
with 35K miles. Cold here up north and although car shifts smartly from Park into
Drive, it will not shift from 1st gear to 2nd, and from 2nd to 3rd, unless I keep
a steady pressure on the gas pedal and drive for about a mile. If I push too hard
on the gas the transmission jumps out of gear and engine revs up. After driving
a mile or so, everything shifts OK. If I park car for a few hours the whole process
starts over again. Had transmission filter and fluid changed - no help. Any suggestions?
Answer: Your transmission is controlled by a computer. If you scan it,
you may find some fault codes that will pinpoint your problem. You may have a sticky
valve or solenoid in the valve body.
Question: 1994 Chevy p/u 3500 454 mileage: 140,000. The transmission locked
in first gear, it won't change at all, it will go in rev. and at the same time,
the speedometer stopped working. This all started at once, everything was fine,
I stopped at a red light and when I pulled off it would not shift. I checked the
connections at the trans, and the fuse in the cab, they were ok. What can I check
next?
Answer: We have found on Chevy trucks, that a faulty ignition will cause
the condition you described.
Question: 1994 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl mileage: 90,000. How much should
it cost to replace (rebuild) the automatic transmission in this vehicle?
Answer: Two different automatic transmissions were popular in your vehicle.
To rebuild the three-speed model should cost approximately $1000.00, the four-speed
model, approximately $1600.00. All this is assuming that you have no damage to any
of the "hard parts" (gears, etc).
Question: 1995 Ford Taurus V6 mileage: 50,000. Hi, All of a sudden
my parking gear will not budge. It gets stuck and will not move. I have
to shake the steering wheel a lot and then it moved. Is this a major problem?
Did I lock something by mistake that I do not know about?
Answer: If your car is equipped with a brake pedal/gearshift lock, it probably
is malfunctioning. There is a switch on the brake pedal that when depressed
releases the gear shift so that you can move the shift lever out of park.
Either the switch or the solenoid may be faulty
Question: 1988 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl mileage: 184,000. I just recently
added 80w/90w gear fluid to my transmission, which was running low, and this is
the type that the manual says to use. Everything seemed to run fine for a little
bit, but then it started to act up. When I would shift into the next gear, it would
go fine if I put steady pressure on the gas, but if I pushed the gas pedal down,
the engine would rev up, and the speedometer would gradually rise. Would this be
caused by adding too much transmission fluid?
Answer: From what you have described, we believe your clutch may be slipping
because you over-filled the transmission which would then leak onto the clutch.
Question: 1994 Mitsubishi 3000 GT vr-4 v-6 turbo mileage: 60,000. Hi,
I just got through with the 60000-mile service at a Mitsubishi dealership. The problem
I had before and after the service is that I have a difficult time shifting the
manual transmission into 1st and 3rd gear. Is it normal in this car? Is there anything
that can make it easier to shift? Everything else related to the transmission is
working fine. On a cold start, it is really a struggle to shift but as I drive a
few miles shifting gets easier but not smooth. Yes, I do press the clutch all the
way to the floor before I shift gears.
Answer: The first thing we would do is to change gear lube in the transmission.
Also, check the clutch to make sure it is operating properly and releasing fully.
Question: 1990 VW Jetta gl 1.8 4-cyl mileage: 81,000. Bob and Ken, I have
always thought of myself as pretty inclined when it came to my cars but this one
has got me stumped. I have only had this car for about a month now but I had one
just like it for about a year and they both ran great and this one still runs great.
Except, on my way up to college about a week ago I was crusin along at about 78
on the interstate in 5th cuz my car is a manual 5 speed and all of a sudden it slipped
out of gear and redlined cuz I had the cruise on. So, I downshifted to 4th and then
tried to re-shift into 5th but come to find that there is not 5th. So every time
I try to go to 5th it will shift in but then when I let out the clutch and the RPM's
kick in it just revs like it is in neutral and when I shift it feels very soft like
there is nothing behind the shift at all. What happened I have no clue. Please help
I am very reluctant to take it to some mechanic and have him tell me that it is
1000 bucks or something when it is really a $ 1.50 part. Steve
Answer: Unfortunately, it sounds like you may be in for some internal
transmission repairs.
Question: 1993 Plymouth Laser 1.8 mileage: 127,000. The vehicle has sat
for around 4 months without any attention or driving. I had it checked-out with
a competent mechanic prior to purchase. The engine ran great and the transmission
shifted very well. Needing to get it inspected (including NC emission tests) I added
an additive to the gas that "ensured" passing the emissions test. 30 miles after
adding the additive, the engine seems less peppy, and the transmission shifts really
hard (up and down) and will not go into the upper gears. I'd appreciate your perspective.
Concerning the tranny, is there an underlying mechanical problem. Could there be
a connection to the additive? If so, is this permanent or temporary--most likely
sensor malfunctioning.
Answer: Some gasoline additives can cause problems with your engine. The
oxygen sensor may have been damaged or possibly a catalytic converter is partially
plugged.
Question: 1998 Ford Taurus 3.0L mileage: 40k. My transmission makes a
thump when moving the shifter from drive to neutral or park. It is similar to a
broken motor mount but the mounts are new. I have had it at the dealer five times
for this. They replaced the motor mounts, and played with the idle. Now they are
telling me this is normal. I can't believe Taurus owners would tolerate this annoying
thump and sometimes clunk from the transmission. I was thinking of changing the
filter and fluid just to make a visual inspection at the least. Any ideas?
Answer: Check the cradle mounts as they may be causing your problem.
Question: 1985 Oldsmobile 98 3.8 mileage: 113,000. My car was bought at
an auction. It did not start, so I replaced the fuel pump, and that fixed it. I
drove for about 50 miles, no problems, and then all of a sudden the tranny neutraled
out at third gear. If you put the car back in 2nd, it will engage just fine, and
shift between 1st and 2nd just fine. At idle, it engages just fine in reverse and
drive, but as soon as it gets to 3rd, it just goes neutral. Any suggestions? This
reminds me of that old Eddie Money song "I Can't Drive 55."
Answer: It appears from what you have told us that you are probably ready
for a transmission overhaul. By the way, it was Sammy Hagar who sang "I Can't Drive
55."
Question: 1997 Mercury Cougar 4.6L V8 mileage: 63,000. Automatic Transmission
Shifter: Recently when I start the car, it is often very hard to depress the shifter
button and move the shifter out of PARK. It's like the safety lock is not disengaging,
but it doesn't happen every time. It's worse when the car is on a very slight incline
and the engine is cold. Any ideas? Linkage? Electrical?
Answer: Your car is equipped with a transmission safety lock, which prevents
the car from being removed from park unless the brake pedal is depressed. The switch
on the brake pedal or the lock mechanism on the gearshift may be faulty.
Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan 3.0 mileage: 77,500. Given the history of
the Caravan's transmission, if I keep the transmission serviced at the regular schedule
time, will this help keep the thing from coming apart?
Answer: Yes. Also, it may help to add an extra transmission cooler as heat
is the major cause of transmission failure.
Question: 1999 Ford Taurus 3.0 24 valve mileage: 13,000. Automatic transmission
shifts are not very smooth. Worse when cold. Second gearshift feels hard. Have had
several dealers check it they all say everything is fine no trouble codes. Even
when driving slow trans has abrupt shift feel. Any ideas.
Answer: Rescan the drive train computer. If any codes are present, they
will need to be cleared. There is a possibility that a solenoid in the valve body
is hanging up.
Question: 1994 Chevy/Suburban 4x4 350 mileage: 121,000. Shifts hard (or
slams is more like it) when put in drive from park or neutral. Seems to take a little
more time than it used to on the fist shift sequence, but runs thru the next shifts
to overdrive just fine. When at cruising, speed if slight gas petal applied it vibrates
so bad it feels as if the rear end is coming out. Let off the gas or give more gas
and it stops vibrating. Any ideas---I have changed the u-joints and also had to
replace the catalytic converter (so I replaced the o2 sensor just in case.) Help!
I am scheduled to take it to the dealer tomorrow for diagnostics and really don't
want to if it can be avoided.
Answer: Scan the power train control module and clear any fault codes that
may be there. If the transmission continues to function improperly, you may have
to have it overhauled.
Question: 1995 Infiniti G20 1.8 mileage: 101,000. Automatic Transmission.
I purchased this car brand new and the first signs of transmission problems began
yesterday. Once the car gets up to 55MPH, the RPM jumps from 2500 to 4500 and the
transmission won't budge -- it tries to shift, but is unable to. The only way to
make it from point A to B is by going under 55MPH, and as you know, this won't work
on the Washington DC Beltway. I have taken it to a local Infiniti dealership and
they said everything checks out fine and that they test-drove it. Well, they misinformed
me, b/c when I picked up the car, I checked the mileage, and found that they hadn't
driven it. They said they tested everything out on their computer and everything
tested out. Help!
Answer: This is definitely a "got ya"! You might try having the transmission
serviced (fluid and filter change). However, we would bet that the transmission
is starting to fail in your car. Maybe you can trade it in at the dealership that
said the car was fine.
Question: 2000 Honda / Accord V6 mileage: 10,000. I have a Honda Accord
- V6 with a 4 speed automatic. When cruising at about 40 mph the vehicle begins
to jerk a bit as if it had a manual transmission and I suddenly floored the gas
pedal. I spoke to a service rep at the dealership and he stated that this was due
to the "locking" transmission and that it was normal. But, for some reason, I don't
believe him. Any clues on this?
Answer: Have the dealer check to see if there is an update for the computer
that controls the transmission. It is possible the throttle position cable may be
out of position.
MORE: Transmission questions
Repair Topics / Transmission-1
/ Transmission-2 /
Transmission-3 /
Transmission-4 /
Transmission-5
/ Transmission-6 /
Transmission-7
/ Transmission-8
/ Transmission-9
/ Transmission-10
Related Subjects
Got Car Repair Questions? we will answer
it for FREE!
GET ONLINE
CAR REPAIR MANUALS
Get instant access to your vehicles drive belt
routing, wiring diagrams, trouble code information, updates and factory bulletins.
|