What Causes the Clicking Sound When Shifting Gears in an Automatic Transmission?
1 Answers
The clicking sound when shifting gears in an automatic transmission is caused by shifting while the vehicle is not completely stopped: When parking, the vehicle should be brought to a complete stop before shifting the gear lever from D (Drive) to P (Park). If the vehicle is not fully stopped when shifting to P, the P-lock hook inside the transmission will strike the gear, producing a clicking sound. This operation can cause wear or even breakage of the lock hook, and in severe cases, it may lead to transmission failure. Another possible reason for the clicking sound when shifting gears in an automatic transmission is when shifting from P to other gears. This is because the P gear has a locking mechanism that locks the transmission gear once engaged, preventing the vehicle from moving even without the parking brake. When shifting from P to other gears, the locking mechanism disengages, and it is normal to hear some noise during this process.