|
 If
you are having transmission
problems, don’t despair, it may
not be a major issue. We have
seen numerous times when a
customer comes to us in a panic,
expecting the worst because of a
shifting problem. Then, after
inspecting the vehicle, we find
the problem was NOT a major
problem.
Transmission Repairs and
Rebuilding CAN be very
expensive, sometimes several
$1,000’s. HOWEVER, there are
many minor causes of
transmission problems that might
scare you needlessly. Here are
just a few that we have seen
that could be at the root of
your transmission or shifting
problem.
NON-Major repairs that could
be causing transmission
troubles:
-
Transmission
Fluid Leaks /
Low Fluid Level:
Your vehicle may
have a small or
large leak of
the Transmission
Fluid. There are
a few causes of
this and the fix
can often be
quite
affordable.
-
Vacuum Lines
that have come
out or loose:
When this
happens usually,
your
transmission
your
transmission
won’t shift at
all. Of course,
a non-shifting
transmission can
scare you, but
if this is the
cause, the cure
is not painful
at all.
-
Linkages and/or
cables that have
come loose or
out of
adjustment:
These run from
the transmission
to the throttle
body. If one
comes out of
adjustment, you
may experience
shifting issues
such as no
shifting, hard
shifting or late
shifting.
-
Bad Solenoid:
The transmission
contains
shifting
solenoids inside
(and on some
models,
outside). The
symptoms from
this
transmission
problem cause a
wide array of
shifting
problems like
not shifting
into particular
gears. Usually,
a bad solenoid
gives problems
with specific
gears or sets of
gears like 1st,
2nd and 3rd.
-
Your Car’s
Computer
problems:
Today’s cars all
have computer in
them to help
coordinate all
the functions in
the car. But the
computers can
develop problems
and seem to
cause you
transmission
problems.
Symptoms from a
computer problem
range from no
shifting to
erratic
shifting.
-
Sensor defects:
Each car has
sensors that
help tell the
transmission
when to shift.
Fixing this
problem is much
easier and more
affordable than
a new
transmission.
-
Bad Fluid:
There are
occasions that a
fluid flush and
change fix your
transmission
problems. In
fact, we often
like to do this
to see if it
solves the
problem
affordably.
However, if we
find that it
doesn’t help, we
remove the
charges if we do
a major
transmission
repair or
rebuild. It’s
often a smarter
first step
because it MAY
fix the problem.
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Transmission troubles due to
bad fluid
Transmission problems due to
prolonged bad fluid often
results in major damage. The
purpose of the transmission
fluid is to protect the internal
parts from damage by cooling and
lubricating helping to keep it
operating smoothly and
efficiently. However, just like
motor oil, transmission fluid
breaks down with time and use.
Once transmission fluid loses
its properties to protect the
inside of the transmission, your
transmission degrades quickly.
Usually when you have
transmission problems due to
neglected fluid, the problem is
severe and expensive to repair.
That is why it is less expensive
to perform periodic Transmission
Flushes. Because seals start
harden inside. This causes
delays going into gear, shifting
issues, and eventually (or
sometimes suddenly) complete
internal transmission breakdown.
How often should
transmission fluid be flushed
and changed?
Your car’s owner manual lists
the recommended service
intervals. These are the
minimums that the manufacturer
requires so you remain covered
under the warranty period. It’s
important to point out that the
manufacturer has a balancing act
when they specify these
intervals. On one hand they want
you to protect the transmission
from problems so they don’t have
to pay excessively for repairs.
On the other hand they don’t
want to be known for requiring
services at intervals that are
too frequent. The latter issue
causes damage to sales appeals.
There is a difference in
Transmission Flush Services
Many auto repair shops and
specialty shops do not perform a
thorough transmission flush
service. They simply drain some
of the old fluid and add back in
new fluid. Certainly this is
better than only old neglected
fluid, but it only helps a
little.
What is needed is to
completely flush out the old
fluid from the transmission,
then replace it with the right
fluid and top it off with a
transmission fluid additive that
adds extra protection. The way
we usually do this is by adding
a special flushing fluid that
increases the temperature of the
fluid. This helps suspend
contaminants that are adhering
to the walls of the
transmission.
Most automatic transmissions
still have a filters or screens
that need replacing or cleaning
when serviced. These filters or
screens usually are only
accessible by removing the
transmissions oil pan (a normal
procedure with a complete
service) with a thorough
inspection of the inside. The
oil pan has a magnet placed at
the bottom to help attract any
loose debris that can commonly
wear. The magnet should be
inspected and cleaned, the
filter should be replaced and
the screen should be cleaned,
then the pan gasket can be
replaced and new fluid added to
the system
Just as with your engine’s
oil change, the oil filter needs
to be changed. Not changing the
filter or cleaning the screen
can reduce your transmission
fluid flow and increase
temperatures quickly. Also, by
performing a visual inspection
inside the oil pan, we have the
ability to catch major problems
before they occur, potentially
saving customer’s thousands of
dollars.
Think of a full dirty bathtub
with a ring around it. Just
draining most of the water and
replacing the drained water with
clean water does not give you a
clean bathtub. It’s similar with
your transmission. Our process
is like circulating clean, hot
water through the bathtub until
the water and the tub is clean.
THEN, we add in new water.
Here are a few things you
can do to help reduce heat, and
keep your transmission working
longer:
1. Avoid Jackrabbit
Starts — Hard accelerations
create a lot of friction and
heat in the transmission. Take
it easy
on
the gas and your transmission
will live longer.
2. Help the Shift —
Most of the friction and wear in
the transmission takes place
during the shifts. Get to know
when your
transmission shifts normally.
Then, just before the shift,
back off on the gas just a bit.
That’ll
reduce the load on the interior
components, and eliminate much
of the friction during the
shift.
3.
Keep the Cooling System in Good
Shape — Most car’s radiator also
provides cooling for your
transmission.
And heat damage will take place
in the transmission long before
the engine appears to overheat.
So regular
cooling system service can help
your transmission run cooler…
and last longer.
4.
Add an external Transmission
Cooler — If you travel a lot in
extremely high temperatures or
carry a lot of weight in
your car, an auxiliary
transmission cooler is a great
way to reduce heat and add years
to your transmission’s
life.
Camarillo Car Care is
your best solution for
transmission service and repair
for
Camarillo.
If you live or work in
Camarillo
or surrounding areas, you’re
lucky. Camarillo Car Care is an
established AAA Approved Auto
Repair shop for over 23 years.
The company employs
all ASE Certified
Technicians, some of the best in
the area. The company is the
only ASE Blue Seal of Excellence
Repair Facility in
Camarillo.
We have strong alliances with
transmission vendors and this
allows us to give you a variety
of great choices for
Transmission Rebuilding,
Re-manufacturing or Repairs.
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