Why Is There a Clicking Sound When Starting an Automatic Transmission Car?

[LaMatteo]

When starting an automatic transmission car and pressing the brake, a clicking sound may occur, which can be caused by various factors. For example, internal transmission issues or excessive wear can lead to gaps, resulting in play during startup and producing the clicking sound. Human factors that may cause a clicking sound when shifting gears in an automatic transmission include: 1. Shifting before the car comes to a complete stop: Normally, drivers stop the car completely before shifting the gear lever from D to P. If the car is shifted to P before stopping, the P-gear lock hook inside the transmission will hit the gear, producing a clicking sound. This operation can cause wear or even breakage of the lock hook, and in severe cases, it may render the transmission unusable. 2. Incorrect operation sequence when parking on a slope: If P gear is engaged before applying the handbrake, the vehicle's sliding force will be entirely borne by the P-gear lock hook, keeping the lock hook and gear under tension. In this case, shifting from P to other gears will produce a sound.