Common Car Gearbox Problems and Why They Occur Now And Then

Have you ever wondered what a fascinating process your car goes through whilst supplying power from the engine to wheels? The most important mechanical component helping in that process is the car gearbox. The car gearbox accomplishes its duty of transmitting the right amount of power through continuous rotation, grinding, and a never-ending battle with friction. With so much at hand, it is inevitable that the gearbox incurs wear and tear and develops some form of malfunction occasionally. 

What are the common problems that occur in the gearbox? And why they are caused?

Let’s take a look at the car gearbox problems:

1. Lack of acceleration

Lack of acceleration

The lack of acceleration problem is the first gearbox problem that occurs. While driving, if you experience a slight delay in the acceleration of the car during shifting the gear.

As a result, this delay can be longer and more frequent in the case of automatic transmission.

If the case occurs where the RPM increases after shifting but the car’s speed barely increases it is an attention-worthy issue.

Diagnosis

This car problem occurs due to a faulty clutch component that is unable to let it fully engage on time.

Similarly, the clutch of the car stays active even after the shift is complete. Therefore, it stops the transmission of power to the wheels. Factors causing such problems can be either clutch springs, worn-out plates or the presence of air in the fluid channel.

In the other words, the affected part will have to be replaced. Sometimes more than one of those parts can be the reason which might require the entire clutch housing to be changed.

Gear slipping

If you’ve been driving for quite some time, you are familiar with that the gearbox is always supposed to work solely on your actions and your actions only. Unless your car is automatic then it’

However, there are going to be situations where when you shift a gear, step on the accelerator pedal, and the car jerks and falls back into the previous gear.

The reason is, the gear may go into neutral. This phenomenon is known as gear slipping.

Diagnosis

The main issue with gear slipping is that it harms the gearbox components and above all, it can also put you in a risky situation. Imagine the case where you are attempting an overtaking maneuver and the gear slips into neutral or lower gear. The cause of this car problem occurs due to shifting fork. 

You must be wondering but what exactly is the cause of this case?

The damaged fork doesn’t move properly to lock on to the correct gear which leads to the transmission automatically shifting back.

3. Fluid spilled under the car 

You must agree on when I say that the car gearbox in your car requires the fluid for lubricating purposes. The car gearbox is like a rotating mechanical component which is very crucial. If a drop of liquid accumulating under your parked car caught your attention, there is a good chance that it is transmission fluid.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is in other words is the heart of your car and the blood of the transmission as it is very crucial. It cleans and lubricates the seals. In other words, without ATF, the engine will stop working completely.

You will not believe but other liquids that can leak from your car, gearbox, or transmission fluid are bright orange.

This makes it very easy to identify and makes our work trouble-free.

Diagnosis:

In case it is transmission fluid, you must find out the source of the leak and top the fluid ASAP. Also, the fluid isn’t used up in evaporation unlike engine oil, and should always be at the perfect level for proper lubrication.

In most cases, there is a damaged fluid pan or broken seal. If the leak is detected early, then it requires to be changed. In case of late detection, the gearbox components can lead to serious damage. Above all, hefty expenses losing your pockets for repairs.

4. Gear slipping

You must agree on when I say that the car gearbox in your car requires the fluid for lubricating purposes. The car gearbox is like a rotating mechanical component which is very crucial. If a drop of liquid accumulating under your parked car caught your attention, there is a good chance that it is transmission fluid.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) is in other words is the heart of your car and the blood of the transmission as it is very crucial. It cleans and lubricates the seals. In other words, without ATF, the engine will stop working completely.

You will not believe but other liquids that can leak from your car, gearbox, or transmission fluid are bright orange.

This makes it very easy to identify and makes our work trouble-free.

Diagnosis:

In case it is transmission fluid, you must find out the source of the leak and top the fluid ASAP.

In addition, the fluid isn’t used up in evaporation unlike engine oil and should always be at the perfect level for proper lubrication.

In most cases, there is a damaged fluid pan or broken seal. If the leak is detected early, then it requires to be changed. In case of the late detection, the gearbox components can lead to serious damage. Above all, hefty expenses losing your pockets for repairs.

Car shaking with grinding noise during gear shifts

In the best-case scenario, your car should be devoid of any shaking or grinding while driving. And I am sure you’re with me on this one that if any sensation like that is present then there is definitely an issue with some components. And is likely to be car gearbox problems.

Diagnosis

If you can detect this grinding sensation after fully pressing the clutch pedal, then there is your catch and is an 80% possibility that it is due to worn-out clutch plates.

Moreover, if it still occurs after you have taken your foot off the clutch pedal, the issue is more likely to be with the car gear synchronizers. 

In conclusion, when it comes to both cases, you should replace the parts immediately as the delay will cause more damage getting to your gearbox.

Burning Smell

You sense a burning smell while driving and you look all confused and puzzled?

Let me break this down for you. The smell is most likely to be originated from your car gearbox.

Diagnosis

Overheating of transmission fluid is likely to be responsible for such a situation. If the fluid level is too low, the gearbox works with more friction leading to generating more heat. Another major factor is the usage of inappropriate fluid. If you use the wrong fluid, it won’t perform smoothly and results in excessive heat build-up. 

Therefore, keep the check on your gearbox in both cases for avoiding severe damage.

These are the few car gearbox problems that occur. 

Also Read: How to increase car mileage- Tips and Tricks on our AutoFlipz page.