Delayed engagement could be due to a variety of reasons from something as minor as a low level of transmission fluid, infrequent fluid replacement, or a more serious issue like failing transmission solenoids.
Delayed shifting is often caused by valves sticking the valve body, which prevents shifts from happening when they should. On newer cars, which control shifts using a computer, the problem could lie in the shift solenoids that are used to trigger shifts.
Transmission: If your car hesitates when accelerating, then this could be due to a transmission clutch slippage, which is usually caused by low or old transmission fluid. Other causes with your transmission could be an old transmission oil pump, damaged clutches, or a clutch solenoid failure.
What is the fix for a slipping transmission? It's simple. Just pop the hood of your vehicle, locate the transmission switch, and change the setting from “SLIP” to “STABLE” . . . If only it were that easy.
Clean or replace your vehicle's air filter when your acceleration is acting sluggish. Put in new spark plugs when they go bad if your engine misfires and hesitates. Replace your vehicle's fuel filter when there's a delayed response when you accelerate.
One main reason why the automatic transmission in your car may not be shifting smoothly is the ECM is going bad. It is best to get this checked out by an experienced auto mechanic technician who understands the electrical system. Other indicators include bad connections within, or worn out sensors and faulty solenoids.
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.
1. At the top of all auto repair experts lists for causes of problematic transmissions is low transmission fluid. Usually caused by a leak somewhere in the system, low or contaminated fluid makes it nearly impossible for the transmission to automatically shift gears and run smoothly.
The Gears Shift Too Slowly
Do you find that a few seconds pass between the time you shift gears and when the vehicle does? If so, then low transmission fluid may be to blame, as a lack of fluid pressure can cause a delay in gear change.
A brand-new transmission costs anything from $1,000 to $7,000+. Therefore, if the current worth of your vehicle ranges from $8,000 to $10,000, replacing the transmission will be worth it. But if your vehicle is under or within the transmission range, it won't make much sense to replace its transmission.
How often do I need a transmission service? It is recommended to service your transmission every 30,000 miles or 2 years. However, if you drive in extreme conditions you may need to have it serviced more often.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission. Sometimes, life happens, and you have to keep driving your vehicle even though you know that it needs to be serviced.
A shuddering transmission usually stems from issues with lack of holding by the clutches or bands due to wear or pressure issues. This could be caused by many things including dirty or low fluid, improper signals from the computer, an ill running engine, worn or damaged clutches, valve body issues and more.
There are 6 ways to improve automatic transmission performance and reliability. These are servicing the transmission, changing driving habits, driving with lower gears when loaded, maintaining engine performance, having proper alignment of tires, and having the correct tire size.
Replacements can range from $1,800 to $3,400. Depending on the repair shop and technicians, labor charges can range from $500 to $1,200. Here's a quick overview of the average transmission replacement cost: Remanufactured transmission – $1,300 to $3,400.
Another way to look for transmission problems is to hold down the brake pedal with one foot while stepping on the gas pedal with the other foot so you can rev up the engine. Make sure the parking brake is on during this time, and don't rev the car for longer than a few seconds.
Grinding, Jerking, or Shaking
Shaking and jerking are good indicators of transmission trouble. Gear grinding is a common symptom in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic transmission failure often begins with some hesitation during gears shifting. Some might describe this a “slipping,” as well.
If you press or let up on the pedal, there will be a delay before the engine responds. This is because of the time it takes the throttle motor to activate the throttle opening. Throttle response should be nearly immediate and not delayed. Gas pedal delay is a safety defect because it can cause accidents in emergencies.
When you press down the accelerator pedal and get minimal output, it could mean you have a problem with your fuel system. The most probable issue is a clogged fuel filter. Your fuel filter works to ensure that dirt and debris do not get into the fuel system.
Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.