How do I find out what’s wrong with my Automatic Transmission? [Infographic]

Troubleshooting Your Vehicle’s Automatic Transmission

5 Most Common Transmission Problems and How To Solve Them

Whether you’re driving a used car or just one that you’ve owned for a long time, eventually problems will arise in your automatic transmission. This can be an incredibly frustrating or stressful time, but it’s important that you know how to troubleshoot your automatic transmission so you can get those problems fixed before they explode into more expensive transmission repairs or replacements.

Step 1: Try to find your problem first

This might be obvious, but you most likely know your own vehicle the best and you know how it should feel and operate. If you notice any strange driveability issues, leaks, excessive heat, strange smells or noises, then you know there may be a problem with your car. Try to find what the problem is firsthand before bringing it into the shop. Take look under your car for any leaks, or shift between gears to check for any issues or gear slipping. The chart above contains common automatic transmission problems and what causes them.

Step 2: Check your transmission fluid

The majority of transmission issues are caused by either ineffective transmission fluid or low fluid levels. It’s important to regularly check the transmission fluid levels in your vehicle as well as its condition. If the fluid levels are low, you should add more transmission fluid of the correct type as specified in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. You may need a complete fluid and filter change if your transmission fluid is contaminated, black, or burnt. Check the handy reference chart below for the health of your transmission fluid. 

New ██ — Good/Ok ██ — Time to Change ██ — Burned/Ineffective ██

Step 3: Check your on-board diagnostic codes

If transmission fluid is not the root of your problems, your next step should be to check your vehicle’s computer for any OBD (On-board Diagnostics) codes. AAMCO Utah will check your OBD codes for free. There may also be a few autoparts shops near you that offer free scans as well. If you prefer to do it yourself, you can purchase your own OBD scanner. These OBD codes will often reveal a lot about what is wrong with your transmission.

Step 4: Read a repair manual or website

If the car does not come up with any codes or there isn’t a solution for the code then you’ll want to check out a repair manual or website for your vehicle’s specific make and model. Repair manuals tend to how much more in-depth details about your vehicle and how to fix them, although you’ll need to pay for them to access that info. There are some auto repair websites online that offer free information or have an ask a mechanic forum. 

Step 5: Bring it in to a professional mechanic

If none of the other steps have helped you figure out what’s wrong with your automatic transmission, have an expert transmission specialist help troubleshoot your vehicle. For some issues it is just best to go to someone with more experience who has most likely seen the symptoms you have been trying to figure out. Even if you are able to troubleshoot your automatic transmission issues, it’s often best to bring your vehicle in to a professional in if the problem is too complicated to fix yourself. If you’re looking for the best transmssion mechanics near you, look no further than one of our AAMCO Utah Transmission and Total Car Care centers .    Schedule an appointment online today !