Tips For Troubleshooting Your Transmission's Hard Shifts

Whether you're a fairly new driver or just not mechanically inclined, you may not be able to recognize the source of transmission troubles. For example, if your transmission is shifting hard or responding roughly to shifts, those things are key indications of problems. There are a few things that you should check as you try to narrow down the source of the trouble.

Evaluate The Transmission Fluid

One of the first things that you should check if your transmission isn't responding properly is the condition of the fluid. Transmission fluid is an essential component for lubricating the gears and keeping the transmission moving. There should be a dipstick under the hood of the car for checking the condition of the transmission fluid.

When you check it, it should be clear and translucent with a red hue. There shouldn't be any debris or discoloration, nor should the fluid be cloudy at all. If the fluid is dark, cloudy, or full of particles, that means you need to flush the transmission and change the fluid.

The other thing to check is the level of the fluid. When you pull the dipstick, the fluid should be above the "ADD" line and below the "FULL" line. Monitor the level of the transmission fluid on a regular basis. If your car appears to be losing fluid, call your mechanic.

Check For Computer Error Codes

Depending on the source of the transmission trouble, your car's engine control module may receive an error code from one of the sensors within the transmission. If a sensor detects the failure and sends a signal to the engine control module, the error code is stored and can be read by an OBD-II scanner. Most auto parts shops and mechanics have the scanning tool and can check the error code for you.

For example, the speed sensor in the transmission can cause hard shifts when it fails. The hard shifts occur because the information relayed from the sensor about the speed at which the car is moving may not be correct, which can cause the transmission to shift either too late or too soon. This can lead to hard shifts. The speed sensor is one of the sensors that transmits a trouble code, so it can be diagnosed this way.

Inspect the Vacuum Lines

If you've checked for error codes and confirmed that the fluid is in good condition, it's time to look at the vacuum lines. If a vacuum line comes loose or bends, that can interfere with the vacuum required for the transmission to function correctly. If the problem is in the vacuum lines, that will require the attention of a transmission technician like Atomic Transmissions to resolve the problem.

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