Often (though not always) a faulty transmission will trigger an engine diagnostic code and trip the Check Engine Light to let you know. Same goes if your engine overheats because of a bad transmission. Problems with a solenoid, speed sensor, slippage, and more can cause the Check Engine Light to come on.
Typically, when your transmission begins to fail you may start to notice some form of difficulty when changing gears. Occasionally you may hear or feel a clunk noise when you shift gear. Another sign of a rough shifting is difficulty in accelerating to the speed for the gear that it is in.
Yes, your vehicle's automatic transmission does not have a dashboard warning light of its own so the check engine light will turn on if there is a problem. Buckeye Complete Auto Care advises that this is just one indication of transmission trouble.
If you're noticing that your car isn't shifting gears as smoothly as it used to, then your transmission might need some work. If you feel like the gear changes are starting to happen too slowly or not at all (like when accelerating from a stop), this could indicate that something is off with your car's gearbox.
Luckily, transmission failure doesn't usually happen without warning. There are several warning signs that your transmission's going out.
Transmission Repairs
Often with a transmission repair, you are only fixing one specific part of the transmission. This repair can take place without having to rebuild the entire transmission. This option typically costs less than a rebuild or a replacement.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission.
If the sound resembles humming, buzzing, or clunking, you may be experiencing transmission failure. Bad automatic transmissions may emit humming, buzzing, or whining noises while manual transmissions have harsher “clunking” sounds.
Park the vehicle, set the parking brake, then step on the clutch pedal, and put the transmission into first gear. Listen and feel for any grinding, or other noises when putting the shifter into gear, as that could indicate a potential problem with that particular gears' synchronizer.
Some vehicles only turn on the transmission warning light when the transmission is perceived to be overheating. Other cars use the light as a general warning that can indicate a broad range of transmission-related problems. The check engine light will often turn on alongside the transmission warning light.
A new transmission may cost more than the car is worth, depending on how old the car is and how many miles the vehicle has accumulated. Generally, if the car is relatively new and in great shape apart from the transmission, it may be worth repairing the transmission, especially if you own a limited car.
Although rebuilds are more extensive than repairs, they don't offer the same return to factory performance as replacements. While less expensive than a replacement, transmission rebuilds are much more costly than repairs.
A basic repair will cost between $200 and $500, with the price point increasing depending on the usual factors (complexity of repair, make and model of your vehicle). Extensive repairs, on the other hand, can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000+.
Time and mileage vary between car drivers and how they use or abuse their transmissions. Still, typical automatic transmissions last around 150,00 to 200,000 miles or approximately 7 years. Cases exist in both extremes; extreme longevity and early failure.
Transmissions rarely go out without a warning. Typically it takes a while, during which time there will be observable symptoms. Sometimes it's an easy fix and sometimes it isn't, but it's always better to catch an issue and get it repaired as soon as possible.
With proper maintenance, transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles or more. This includes changing the fluid in your transmission system and regular checkups. However, when you don't keep up with routine maintenance, your transmission might have problems at the 100,000-mile mark or even sooner.
Low Fluid – Low fluid level reduces the hydraulic pressure necessary to properly shift and operate the automatic transmission gear sets, which can cause the gears to slip or shift erratically. Dirty Filter – A dirty and/or clogged transmission filter can stop the normal flow of fluid, causing slipping of gears.
Issues That Can Happen From Having a Bad Transmission
In some of the most extreme cases, you will not be able to give the car any gas, which means you may slow down and this can cause problems when trying to continue going, especially on a highway or major road.
Long story short, an OBD-II scanner can provide insight into your vehicle's computer, such as the engine, transmission and other vital systems.
It's good that you're asking this question, though, because driving with a bad transmission will cause damage to the engine if left unaddressed! If your transmission is failing, you may already be experiencing shifting issues like slipping and loud mechanical sounds that are difficult to discern.