Many modern vehicles rely on automatic transmissions in order to run properly. Without access to a functional transmission, your vehicle will not be able to shift gears while driving. When it comes to diagnosing some common transmission problems, using your ears can be a great place to start.
Here are three strange noises that could be coming from your car's transmission and some possible causes for these noises.
1. Grinding
When you begin to hear a grinding noise coming from under your vehicle's hood, this indicates that the metal components within your transmission are starting to rub against one another. The transmission fluid that circulates through your vehicle's transmission is designed to lubricate these moving metal parts and prevent friction.
When the transmission fluid levels get low or the fluid itself becomes contaminated, this lubrication cannot take place. Grinding noises can typically be cleared up by addressing any transmission-fluid leaks your vehicle may have or by investing in a transmission-fluid flush.
2. Rumbling
Listen closely when your vehicle's transmission shifts gears when you are trying to diagnose any serious problems. If you hear a rumbling noise at the point where your vehicle shifts from one gear to another, this sound could be caused by a worn clutch-release bearing. In order to shift properly, the clutch in your automatic transmission must be released and then reengaged once the shift is complete.
This movement is controlled by the clutch-release bearing. A worn bearing will cause the clutch to fail to disengage completely during shifts, resulting in a rumbling noise coming from the transmission. Have a skilled mechanic replace the worn clutch-release bearing with a new one, and your car should be rumble-free once again.
3. Whirring
If you hear a whirring noise coming from your transmission, and this noise is accompanied by sudden surges in movement, then you could have a problem with the fluid pressure inside your transmission. Your transmission's gears rely on pressure created by the transmission fluid in order to shift properly.
Transmission leaks can compromise the fluid's ability to maintain constant pressure. These sudden drops in pressure lead to the creation of the whirring sound you may hear coming from under your car's hood. Have your vehicle checked for transmission-fluid leaks, and the whirring should subside.
Being able to identify the source of strange noises coming from your vehicle's transmission will help you keep your vehicle running properly well into the future and help you make sure that you can get appropriate transmission repair.
