What are the common faults of automatic transmissions?
4 Answers
There are 4 common transmission faults: 1. Difficulty in gear shifting and jerking sensation: When starting or driving, shifting gears feels stiff and laborious, with symptoms like jerking, vibration, and hesitation. Sometimes shifting is easier when cold but difficult when hot, causing significant discomfort. 2. Gear lurching and impact sensation (valve body failure): Lack of power during acceleration, noticeable jerking and hesitation at low or medium speeds, with fluctuating RPM needle on the dashboard; during medium-high speed driving when suddenly pressing the accelerator, the vehicle slips, RPM needle surges rapidly with obvious impact sensation; noticeable impact and gear lurching when shifting from P to R or D. 3. Transmission noise and loud sounds: Abnormal sounds or even loud noises from the transmission during idling, driving, or high-load conditions, with irregular dull sounds during gear shifts. 4. Overheating transmission: Computer displays warning about excessive transmission temperature during driving; or feeling the transmission overheating after driving, even becoming too hot to touch.
I specialize in repairing automatic transmissions, and common issues include fluid-related problems such as low fluid levels or degraded fluid quality leading to rough shifting and transmission overheating; valve body blockages or damage causing shift shocks or delays; worn clutch plates resulting in slipping and affecting power output; sensor failures like speed sensor malfunctions causing confusion in the electronic control unit and erratic shifting. Additionally, issues with the oil cooler or leaking seals can lead to complete system failure. Neglecting regular maintenance or aggressive driving can accelerate wear. Once symptoms like noise or jerking appear, seek professional inspection immediately to prevent minor issues from escalating into major repairs and unnecessary expenses. Remember, regular fluid changes and gentle driving can prevent most problems.
I've been driving automatic transmission cars for over a decade and have encountered quite a few transmission issues. The most common problems include delayed or rough shifting, often caused by debris clogging the valve body; insufficient or degraded fluid can make the drivetrain operate less smoothly; worn clutch components may lead to slipping, resulting in poor acceleration; electrical issues like faulty sensors can cause the computer to improperly adjust gears; and overheating, especially noticeable during long highway drives. If these issues aren't addressed promptly, they not only increase fuel consumption but also compromise driving safety. I recommend checking the fluid condition every two years, and if you notice unusual noises or vibrations, don't delay—find a reliable mechanic to adjust the valve body and electronic control system, and you'll be good to go.
My newly bought automatic transmission car has had a few minor issues, and after checking some materials, I learned about common faults. Fluid problems are the most common—dirty oil can cause jerky gear shifts; sensor failures can send false signals leading to inaccurate gear shifting up or down; clutch wear causing slippage is quite frustrating; and poor electrical connections can lead to intermittent faults. All these affect driving smoothness, so it's best to address symptoms early to avoid higher costs. Simple maintenance like timely oil changes can prevent many issues.
