What Are The Tell-Tale Signs of a Blown Transmission?
There are many obvious signs that your transmission is blown.
- Your Car Won’t Move
-
Vibrations, sounds, and poor performance
-
Different or unexpected shifting
- Extreme heat from the transmission
If Your Car Won’t Move, the Transmission Might be Blown.
Poor design and manufacturing will doom any transmission.
There are many reasons your transmission might fail. Poor automotive design is one of the most difficult to come to terms with, because it can cost you a lot of money to maintain and inevitably repair, even when you did not do anything wrong. Along with the design comes poor manufacturing on the automaker’s part, as well as cheap parts and little to no quality assurance on the production line.
Related: What is Transmission Fluid?
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Poor maintenance is a poor excuse for a failed transmission.
Even a poorly designed or manufactured transmission will suffer from poor maintenance. Things such as wrong fluid types or incorrect amounts of fluid (too little or too much) can make or break or transmission. And incorrect fluid levels usually result from a poor or nonexistent maintenance schedule. If you do check the transmission fluid regularly, and have it changed or flushed according to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, then you should not have much to worry about. If you check the fluid yourself, be aware of not only the levels, but the colors. Here’s a handy chart:
Neglecting to be aware of the simple things that can help or hinder your transmission will speed its demise.
Related: Maintaining a Healthy Transmission
Driving habits can destroy your transmission.
Driving conditions and even driving habits all affect the health and lifespan of your car’s transmission. If you drive mostly in stop-and-go city traffic, that has a different impact on your transmission than highway driving with long distances and steady speeds. Stop-and-go traffic is tough on any car – and it takes a toll on pretty much every part of the car, especially the transmission.
Here are some signs your transmission is blown, fried, cooked, or just plain broken.
Vibrations, sounds, and poor performance
If your car suddenly starts giving off vibrations and strange noises like grinding or whining, the transmission is saying, “Drive me to a mechanic.” You’ll also experience gears slipping – when the engine speeds up or revs, but your car doesn’t accelerate very quickly, or move at all (that’s a really bad sign). Whining sounds accompanied by hesitation in starting from a stop, lack of acceleration or extreme slowness, or even sudden surging, are not only unsafe and make your vehicle unreliable and dangerous to be on the road, they are signs you’re about to be paying for transmission repairs, rebuild, replacement – or a new car.
Related: Maintaining a Healthy Transmission
Here are some signs your transmission is blown, fried, cooked, or just plain broken.
Vibrations, sounds, and poor performance
If your car suddenly starts giving off vibrations and strange noises like grinding or whining, the transmission is saying, “Drive me to a mechanic.” You’ll also experience gears slipping – when the engine speeds up or revs, but your car doesn’t accelerate very quickly, or move at all (that’s a really bad sign). Whining sounds accompanied by hesitation in starting from a stop, lack of acceleration or extreme slowness, or even sudden surging, are not only unsafe and make your vehicle unreliable and dangerous to be on the road, they are signs you’re about to be paying for transmission repairs, rebuild, replacement – or a new car.
Extreme heat from the transmission
For rear wheel drive cars, the transmission transfers power and heat along the length of the vehicle, to get the power to the rear wheels. If the transmission overheats, you can feel the heat coming into the passenger compartment through the bottom of the car, from the transfer case. In front wheel drive cars, the heat might be felt in the hump or gear shift housing between the driver and passenger seats. The temperature gauge on the dashboard might indicate abnormal engine temperature. You might also smell the odor of burning transmission fluid (some say it’s like burned toast). An overheated transmission does not have to be an end-all, but it needs to be checked immediately. It could just be that the fluid is low or there is a leak – both fixes that cost a lot less than larger repairs or transmission replacement.
Don’t panic about a blown transmission
No matter the season, AAMCO Colorado is staying open, practicing safe healthy measures, in order to provide essential car maintenance and Vehicle Courtesy Check services to help our communities. Stay safe, and get your car maintained here.
Think about your driving.
Sudden changes, extreme conditions all affect the transmission.
If you experience a sudden, unexpected transmission failure, think back and try to remember any rough driving you might have done – rough roads, bad weather or other conditions, lots of stop and go traffic or really high speeds. Anything out of the ordinary that you might have had to put your car through could be a cause of transmission issues. Did you tow a heavy load? Pack your car full of anvils and drive through the mountains? Sometimes it’s a matter of not having checked the transmission fluid, so it’s dangerously low, and then going on a long drive through vastly different terrains and weather. You might get to your destination, and even home again, only to have the transmission start to clunk, slip, and whine as you drive to the grocery store.
Driving habits affect the whole car but are especially hard on the transmission.
You also need to seriously consider what kind of driver you are – aggressive, defensive, severe, careful. Are you rough on your car, or careful and gentle? If you’re always running late and stressed out about your schedule, chances are you tend to be on the aggressive side of driving. Accelerating hard and racing from stoplight to stoplight puts a lot of strain on the transmission because it has to take the power of the engine and smooth it out before going to the wheels. It has to do a lot of shifting through gears in short, rapid succession because the distance between the stoplights is short; but the speed you’re accelerating to is fast (maybe above the limit). Then the green light you were racing toward – the one you were certain you were going to make it through – turns red. You have to stop. It’s too far to run unless you want to risk killing yourself and others – and you’re not that extreme (or stupid) behind the wheel, right? All of this translates to wear and tear on your transmission, and other parts of your car.
Being a severe driver is not terrible. Your requirements just tend to be different than some. Some of the factors you might consider in creating a regular maintenance schedule to avoid transmission disaster are:
- Frequent mountain trips
- Drive in extreme heat or cold
- Drive in rough, dirty, dusty terrain and climates
- Frequent short trips
- Drive in stop-and-go traffic
- Tow or carry heavy loads
- Drive more miles than average in a given timeframe
Determine when, where, and how you drive and you’ll be on your way to a solid regular maintenance schedule. Know the signs of a struggling transmission, learn how to maintain your car regularly, and it will save you money in the long run and help your car run safely and reliably.
AAMCO Colorado – Your Transmission Experts
Visit an AAMCO Colorado transmission repair and total car care center near you. When larger issues arise and you need transmission repair, rebuild, or replacement schedule an appointment before it’s too late.
If you have questions about your car’s road readiness, or about car repair and maintenance topics, AAMCO Colorado can help. You can also go online and use the AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic feature to submit your auto repair questions. They will be answered by a real AAMCO Colorado mechanic as soon as possible.
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I have a 2003 ford ranger all the sudden I put my truck in reverse and drive it wouldn’t move checked fluid it was really low put more fluid in now it drives in reverse and low 2 I read all the signs if it was blown it doesn’t apply to me anymore have suggestions
Hi Trish,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
my car wont move in reverse but works fine in all other gears what could be the problem
Hi David,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
The rpm go all the way up to 4 then it will change and jump it runs fine no light on dash yet I stopped by a transmission place told me that part that shifts the transmission mission has gone bad and probably cracked need to rebuild it and it going to probably cost over 1,600 to get it fix do I need a second opinion
Hi Samantha,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond. Or you can find your nearest local Colorado AAMCO service center and schedule an appointment for a Vehicle Courtesy Check. They will perform a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s mechanical systems and a scan of your computer system for codes. This will determine what, if any, service may be required to fix your car. Once this is done, they will be able to answer your questions related to what is causing your problem, what needs to be done to fix it, and what it may cost… all prior to any repairs being made. Good luck.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
Have a 2004 Hyundai Sonata GLS. When shifting went to 3 and when I stopped it smelled like burning. I had someone check fluid and they said it was full, don’t know about color. G
My car stopped on the highway wouldn’t go forward. I let it cool off over night then It went forward for about 5 seconds then stopped again. What could it be?
2000 Ford Ranger 2.5 engine
Start vehicle…O/D is on.Put vehicle in Drive and start moving …in a very short period on time the transmission feels like it popped out of gear. Slipping! But if I push the button on the shift lever to turn off the overdrive it will shift back into gear and drive without fail. What can this possibly be???
Brionna,
This could be any number of problems, including problems with your transmission, problems overheating and more. We suggest calling your local AAMCO Colorado service center and asking about our free towing options and having one of our expert mechanics run a diagnostic scan on your car to help diagnose the exact cause.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hi Joseph,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
My 2008 Saturn aura completely stopped on me tonight. I could feel the car slipping out of gear! It made it up to the house and just stopped. Maybe my transmission is gone!
Got off the expressway came to a complete halt at the stoplight … my car would no longer go forward or backward when I accelerated until I mashed the gas to the floor and was able to make it home… have not checked fluid levels yet .. plz help
Hi Ryan,
Please submit your question through AAMCO Colorado Ask a Mechanic and an AAMCO mechanic will respond, or stop by one of our 14 Colorado service centers so that we can perform a thorough diagnostic test. If you need help with towing, please contact your local center directly.
Thanks!
Your Friends at AAMCO Colorado
It’s great to know more about transmission maintenance and health. I’ve definitely noticed some vibrations that weren’t there before, so this is good to know. I need to take my car into a shop, just to make sure there isn’t anything serious wrong.
Ridley,
AAMCO Colorado offers free seasonal safety checks (along with some other great car maintenance coupons!), be sure to check out our specials page and find out how you can save money with AAMCO Colorado!
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
These symptoms you’ve listed just made me realize that I may need to go to a transmission shop because I’ve been experiencing unexpected shifting lately. You also described that vibrations, sounds, and poor performance as indicators that I may have been having for a while. I may have been experiencing some heat from the transmission, though not really extreme as you say, though it should be a sign that I should still get my car repaired just in case.
I have a Mazda 2009 my trans mission light is on on my dashboard I can drive it Eagles front and back but after a while it starts slowing down it will not pick up speed it’s been on for about three months on the dashboard The light that shows transmission problem.
Mary,
If you are seeing a dashboard warning light, we suggest stopping by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. Like many problems in a car, the longer you leave it, the most severe it typically gets!
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car will not engage into any gear. It acts like it’s in neutral.. The shifter runs through all gears on the column, but it’s not engaging into gear, like I said it acts as though it is in neutral..
Michelle,
We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Trouble shifting can indicate a number of problems with your car, including problems with your transmission. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
2004 gr.cherokee AWD, sudden loss of trans around a sharp right turn. Shifts into all gears, no movement in any. Can hear a spinning noise when applying gas. Fluid level and quality ok. Can see a oil leak from either timing gasket or crankshaft. Also losing coolant but couldnt find leak. No milky oil though. Code only said 4th gear. Could it be the rear diff.?
Ron,
Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My 2001 Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro is not exactly whining or grinding. But when I stop and to start to move again, there is a noise, I want to say more like a scraping noise. I thought it might be my brakes at first, but they are fine. I can’t find any information on my manual transmission, to even check my levels.
Nissa,
Hearing any noises that are new or out of the ordinary is typically an early warning sign of a problem within one of your car’s systems and we suggest visiting a mechanic as soon as possible. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car shakes when I give it gas. I have to mash on it to go. It studders at first then accelerates while shaking. The engine light is on. It also delays from park to drive. It’s not overheating though. It does whine at times too but not all the time.
Julia,
Any new, unusual or persistant jerking can indicate larger transmission problems within your car. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My bmw 2013 328i sedan transmission overheated sign coming and inside hot air comes…..
Preet,
Your car overheating is often the first indicator of a more serious problem happening within your car. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
It makes sense that you should consider seeing a mechanic if you notice that your car is vibrating and making grinding sounds. When I was on the freeway on my way home from work, I noticed that my car started to shake more than usual which made me think that I was driving on an uneven strip of the road. Now that I know that there could be an issue with my transmission, it may be best for me to call a professional for help.
I have a 2015 Nissan Altima that started slipping gears and struggling to move from a stop. I got it looked at and was told that the Nissan service bulletin suggested replacing the valve. If I drive around with a faulty valve body and a judder code on the transmission, will that cause internal damage to the transmission? If so, how long would I have ti drive it that way before any internal damage is done?
Jennifer,
It is likely that driving around with a faulty part could permanently damage your car’s transmission. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My transmission was in process of going out. 2005 Chevy trailblazer. I just had fluid flushed. Metal parts noted. Mechanic said it could go anytime and I was driving on the freeway and it sounding like it sprung a leak and immediately had the whining noise and the steering locked up and I came up on an exit quick and turned off but couldn’t go to the side. I stayed in my vehicle u til the tow driver came. Because if the virus my cat and I were lifted to the top my question is that I had to put my car in neutral in order to get onto the ramp straight so he lifted up up pretty high????my question if it is the transmission, would it let you still put it into neutral? You can text me at 760-796-5429. My name is Annette. Thank you!!
Annette,
It would be best to talk to the tow company that worked with your car on their standard protocols. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I didn’t realize that traffic that requires you to stop and go can significantly damage your transmission. My wife and I have noticed that our car has been having trouble starting ever since we got home from our summer vacation, and we are worried that our transmission might be worn out from when we were in traffic for an hour. We’ll consider hiring an expert to help us fix our car.
My transmission went compeltely out.should i get a new one or get rid of the car its a 2012 camry l
Lita,
Unfortunately, we can not advise you on whether or not you should keep your car. We suggest taking your car in to a trusted mechanic to get a quote for repairs and then weighing that against the cost of a new car to see which option is right for you. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers stop on by, our mechanics would be happy to help you.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Thank you for explaining how your transmission may be overheating if its fluid levels are insufficient. Ever since my car started leaking red fluid after getting rear-ended on my way home from my friend’s wedding last night, I have been noticing that my car has been getting especially hot when I drive it for too long. I’ll consider hiring an auto repair service to help me.
Thank you for mentioning how your transmission can become damaged based on the way that you drive. My brother has been noticing that transmission fluid has been leaking from his car ever since he got home from a camping trip. He should find someone that can help repair his vehicle as soon as possible.