What Causes the Transmission Fault Warning in a Car?
2 Answers
When a car displays a transmission fault, it is typically due to a malfunction in the power electronic control system, possibly caused by a faulty sensor connection in the transmission. Here is an introduction to the transmission system: Main Functions: Change the transmission ratio to expand the range of torque and speed variations of the driving wheels, adapting to frequently changing driving conditions while keeping the engine operating under favorable conditions. It allows the car to reverse while maintaining the engine's rotational direction. By utilizing neutral gear, it interrupts power transmission, enabling the engine to start, shift gears, and facilitating gear changes or power output. Working Principle: A manual transmission mainly consists of gears and shafts, achieving speed and torque variations through different gear combinations. An automatic transmission (AT), on the other hand, is composed of a torque converter, planetary gears, and a hydraulic control system, achieving speed and torque changes via hydraulic transmission and gear combinations.
Once when I was driving my car, the transmission warning light came on, which was quite scary—I thought it was going to cost me a fortune. Generally speaking, the most common issue is related to transmission fluid, like low fluid levels or dirty, degraded fluid, which can cause excessive internal friction, faster component wear, and trigger the warning light. Electrical faults are also common, such as a failed sensor or a bug in the computer module, leading to uncontrolled gear shifts and prompting the light. Mechanical failures, like gear wear or clutch slippage, can occur due to prolonged lack of maintenance or aggressive driving. Overheating is another issue—transmission temperatures can rise in summer traffic jams, causing the light to flash. My advice is not to panic. Find a safe place to pull over and check the dipstick. If the fluid level is fine, head to a repair shop immediately. Don’t force the car to keep running, as it could cause more damage and higher repair costs. Regular fluid changes and gentle driving can prevent many of these problems.
