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What are the symptoms of a faulty manual and automatic transmission?

Bartosz Kantorek, Dział Wyposażenia Warsztatów

There are no jokes with the gearbox, or rather with the costs of its repair. This subassembly, which consists of up to several hundred closely cooperating elements, is used to change the gear ratio, and thus to change the operating characteristics of the drive unit. Changing the gear ratio changes the range of optimal driving speed, its acoustic comfort and the level of fuel consumption or the number of engine revolutions necessary to drive in a given speed range.

In passenger cars and trucks, there are two variants that differ in the way they are operated - manual and automatic gearboxes. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but also some weaknesses, through which they fall victims to various failures. What are the symptoms of a damaged gearbox ? The answer will certainly help in quickly fixing the fault and saving huge funds.


Transmission - manual or automatic?

Motorists have been fighting a battle for many years, which cannot be ended with the only and correct answer. Manual or automatic gearbox? It depends.

Supporters of the manual gearbox appreciate primarily the impact on the current gear ratio, the ability to change gears depending on the driver's behavior and the execution of planned maneuvers. Many drivers also believe, completely unjustifiably, that the price of their repair is much lower than the already common "automatic machine". are this is in reality?

Die-hard supporters of automatic gearboxes pay attention to driving comfort and in newer models, lower fuel consumption with better performance - good dual-clutch gearboxes can change the gear ratio in just a few milliseconds. However, there is no rose without thorns, and there is no chest without the risk of failure. Repairing the automatic transmission can cost a lot, but comparing the price of a one-time repair with the replacement of clutches or dual masses, the price may not differ that much.


The most important symptoms of a damaged manual gearbox

Fortunately , the symptoms of a damaged manual gearbox are relatively easy to diagnose even by an untrained driver. The main reason for this possibility is the obvious malfunction of the gearbox, which everyone will notice as soon as it appears. Of course, it is worth remembering that such damage will certainly not disappear on its own. Many novice drivers will be happy to "wait out" the problem of a damaged gearbox. As a result, some of them will not be repairable.

The first and most common symptom of manual transmission damage is play on the gear lever, which may result from both damage to this component and loosening of the linkages. However, this is an issue that rarely attracts attention in older designs, where sometimes play in the jack was already present at the time of leaving the dealership.

A slightly more noticeable harbinger of an impending fault are strange and disturbing noises coming to the driver when shifting gears. Characteristic grinding noises, sounds of metal rubbing against metal or impacts may mean that the driver is facing the specter of an upcoming repair. The same is the case when the box emits a monotonous sound resembling a howl or humming. Without repair, or at least a thorough analysis, it will not work. We can also notice the very hard work of the chest.


Damaged automatic transmission - the first symptoms to appear

A damaged automatic transmission gives completely different symptoms, because the entire process of changing gears is completely independent of us (in the case of standard hydrokinetic models). The driver will therefore not notice difficulties in selecting the appropriate gear or difficulties in moving off. However, he will notice other disturbing symptoms. Some of them are cosmetic defects, while others can lead to high costs.

Symptoms of a damaged gearbox in an automatic machine can take many forms. An obvious harbinger of an extensive failure is the lack of a specific gear, e.g. reverse, long delays when changing gears, inability to start or the ability to drive in only a few gears. The gearbox controller may also refuse to shift to a higher or lower gear, and a car choked when moving off may stall. A very common problem is also a strong knock when shifting gears, which can be accompanied by a lack of oil or a serious failure of the controller.

The symptoms of a damaged gearbox cushion in the automatic transmission give the impression of intense vibrations transmitted to the cabin and the entire body. This symptom occurs while driving, but it intensifies when starting from low gears - from first and reverse.


Symptoms of a damaged gearbox - automatic and manual - how to avoid them?

Gearbox damage is heralded by the indicator light as an error, which in modern cars appears on the dashboard immediately after detecting any inaccuracies in the work of the unit. Typically, symptoms are detected by the on-board computer long before the driver notices them. Unfortunately, this is not an enviable sight - the costs of replacing e.g. mechatronics can cost up to several thousand zlotys or more in the case of dual-clutch models.

Manual and automatic gearboxes can be protected to some extent as a user. In automatic machines, it is essential to keep an eye on the correct oil level and change intervals. On the other hand, in manuals you have to take care of correct gear shifting, pressing the clutch all the way, responsible starting and not engaging reverse gear while driving forward.

It is also important to check the gearbox before buying a given car. If you are buying a used car, always check her work before signing the final contract. Gone are the days when cars were bought without a test drive. Modern cars packed with technology are getting more and more expensive to repair. It is therefore worth avoiding them, rather than exposing yourself to high costs later. And these in extreme cases may exceed the price of a given car, e.g. in the case of the oldest and unpopular models.


Symptoms of a damaged gearbox - do they herald a big problem?

Unfortunately , the symptoms of a damaged gearbox very often herald a big problem - they are usually associated with a fairly high price for repair.

The basic problem in the case of vending machines is related to the lack of substitutes. Manufacturers of replacements are well aware that the production of spare parts for unpopular automatic transmissions is simply not profitable, which is why their users are put in front of the wall - parts must only be purchased original and from ASO. In addition, the huge technical advancement of modern machines increases the cost of repairs and labor, and some cannot be repaired in a way other than replacing the entire assembly.

The problem is also when we notice the first symptoms of a damaged manual gearbox in cars where the manual gearbox is only available, for example, in combination with one engine. Then we can also have a big problem with the availability of parts. More and more car manufacturers install already proven automatic machines in their cars, mainly due to the unparalleled driving comfort and their maintenance-free nature.


Is a damaged gearbox repairable?

Definitely yes, but in the case of gearboxes, what counts is the workshop that will undertake the repair. Modern and precise automatic and manual gearboxes are becoming more and more complicated, and specialized tools are required to work on them, sometimes such tools only fit the gearbox of one manufacturer. It is worth saying to yourself directly - repair always pays off - it does not pay to visit a service center that does not have the appropriate knowledge about it.