Diagnose Automatic Transmission Problems
Your Guide, Vincent Ciulla From Vincent Ciulla,
Your Guide to Auto Repair.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!
Diagnose Automatic Transmission Problems

# Fluid leakage from other areas, such as the power steering system
forward of the transmission, may cause fluid to appear around the
converter housing due to blow-back or road draft. The following
procedures should be used to determine the cause of leakage before any
repairs are made.

1. Check transmission dipstick for color of fluid. Original
factory-fill fluid is dyed red. Unless the fluid has been changed, the
color should assist in pinpointing the leak. Leakage due to road draft
should be eliminated before checking the transmission for fluid leaks.

2. Remove converter housing cover and clean off any fluid from the
top and bottom of the converter housing, front of transmission case,
and rear face of engine and oil pan.

3. Start and run engine until transmission reaches normal operating
temperature.
Sponsored Links

AAMCO - The ExpertsTransmission Problems? Find The Aamco Nearest
Youwww.aamcosocal.com

Transmission DiagnosisFind the exact problem Computer Analysis
$39www.reddtransmission.com

Auto Repair ManualsOnly $7.99 Now Available Online All Makes &
Models, 1983-2004.www.eAutoRepair.net
Observe the back of the block and top of the converter housing
for evidence of fluid leakage. Raise vehicle on a hoist and run engine
at fast idle, then at engine idle, occasionally shifting to the drive
and reverse ranges to increase pressure within the transmission.
Observe the inside of the converter housing and front of the
transmission case. Run the engine until fluid leakage is evident and
the probable source of leakage can be determined.

• Diagnosis By Symptom

I saved this one for last because as a DIY, this is how you will
most likely diagnose a problem with your transmission. Probably the
most common way to diagnose a transmission is by seeing what it does.
Specific symptoms have specific causes and a good transmission man
will know what parts are bad by taking the vehicle on a road test.
Here is a list of some of the more common symptoms and possible
causes, including some that a DIY can handle at home.

Remember that these are general causes for these symptoms and some
may not apply to your vehicle. For more detailed information
pertaining to your specific vehicle, consult an appropriate repair
manual.

I daresay that unless you know your way around the inside of a
transmission, some of these terms will be unfamilair to you. It's a
good bet that if you don't know what it is, you should take it to a
shop.
• Clutch Always Applies Or Stalls Vehicle
• Delayed Or Soft Forward And Reverse
• Delay Or Soft Reverse
• Delayed Forward
• Engine Will Not Crank
• External Fluid Leaks
• Fluid Venting Or Foaming
• Harsh Forward
• Harsh Forward And Reverse
• Harsh Reverse
• Harsh Shifting Felt
• Harsh 1-2 Upshift
• Harsh 2-1 Downshift
• Harsh 2-3 Upshift
• Harsh 3-2 Downshift
• Harsh 3-4 Upshift
• Harsh 4-3 Downshift
• No Clutch Apply
• No Engine Braking In Manual 1st Position
• No Engine Braking In Manual 2nd Position
• No Engine Braking W/Od Canceled In Manual 1st And D
• No Forward
• No Forward In Drive And No Reverse
• No Forward In Overdrive Position And No Reverse
• No Manual First Gear
• No Manual Second Gear
• No Park Range
• No Reverse
• No 1-2 Upshift
• No First Gear In Drive, Engages In High Gear
• No 2-1 Downshift
• No 2-3 Upshift
• No 3-2 Downshift
• No 3-4 Upshift
• No 4-3 Downshift
• Noise Or Vibration In Forward Or Reverse
• Poor Vehicle Performance
• Shift Feels Soft Or Slipping
• Shift Lever Effort High
• Shift Timing Erratic Or Hunting
• Shift Timing Late Or Early
• Slip Or Chatter In Manual 1st Position
• Slip Or Chatter In Manual 2nd Position
• Soft Or Slipping 1-2 Upshifts
• Soft Or Slipping 2-3 Upshifts
• Soft Or Slipping 3-2 Downshift
• Soft Or Slipping 3-4 Upshifts
• Soft Or Slipping 4-3 Downshift
• Some Or All Shifting Missing
• Transmission Noisy, Other Than Valve Resonance
• Transmission Overheating
• Wrong Gear Ratio In Drive, Manual 2nd, And Manual 1st

Copyright © 2001 - 2003 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved

* previous
* 1
* 2
* 3
* 4
* Next

http://autorepair.about.com/cs/troub...a072702a_3.htm


===
"The pressure is outrageous. Everyone is picked apart and it's so superficial and not real. I'm not superskinny and not overweight. I'm just normal."
-- Hilary Duff