1. How can I tell when's my transmission is broken? 2. Will you be able to replace it before it break? Cost difference? 3. Where is it transmission located at? Between two tires? Bear with me, this is something new to me when it comes to cars.
More questions.... What kind of CAR/truck/van? Automatic or Manual w/ a Clutch (You shift gears 1-2-3-4-5) or just P to D? Front ot Rear wheel drive? What is the car doing or not doing? making noises? The tranny is the part after the Engine, some cars it is between the front tires others it is more like under the dash.
if it's an automatic transmission, you can tell it's broke when you put it in drive and don't go anywhere, or when you can only back up or something wacky. signs it's going are slipping (when the transmissions seems to be sortof sliding into gear instead of changing smoothly, or you feel like you've lost power but the engine is revving as usual). sometimes you can fix it, sometimes you have to replace it. first thing you should do is have the transmission fluid CHECKED if it's an automatic. alot of times low fluid will cause it to do freaky stuff. stickshifts are a different animal in a way. if it's hard to get the gearshift to go into a gear position, or if there's grinding or the vehicle won't go, it's broke...
Assuming it's a typical modern car with front wheel drive, automatic transmission, then: 1. The transmission is broken when it a) doesn't shift properly b) slips (the engine revs up but your speed doesn't increase) or c) when the car won't move at all. 2. If it is really dying it won't cost you much more than the inconvenience and the price of a tow when it does completely fail. Most of the cost in a major transmission repair is in the labor which will be similar for most major repairs. There are many other things that can cause transmission problems that don't require a major repair; my best suggestion is to take it to a reputable shop for an evaluation so at least you know what you are dealing with. 3. The transmission in most cars is located between the front wheels, next to the engine. This is one reason why the repairs can be so expensive- The entire engine/ transmission unit must usually be removed from the car. Good luck!
Wow, thanks guys! I learned something new from you. My vehicle is automatic, minivan, 1999, and never had a transmission problem. I suspect it will happen soon because once I "Park" my van, it move longer than normal. I better get it checked before it'll be too late.
If you use your parking brake, you won't be resting against your transmission anymore. That can do a little about your problem to prolong the life of your transmission before you get it looked at. Its recommended to use your parking brake even with an automatic transmission, but most people don't do it, or don't know that they should. Just pull it before you release the normal brake, and it'll help your transmission out tons.
If you haven't had your transmission serviced lately, it probably wouldn't hurt it and you might extend the life out a little longer. Heat and neglect kills automatic transmissions.
Servicing a transmission after too long can also be bad too. There is a plaque that the transmission fluid will case to build up just like in an artery and when you service it that plaque can break loose. As long as it is caught by the filter ther is no porlbem but if it is where it can get into the valve body (the brain of the transmission) it can cause the equivilent of a stroke which can really do a number on your transmission quickly. It happened to me and the only thing the transmission service guy could figure out was that just enough plague in the right spot built up in the week after the transmission was serviced causing it to go into two gears at the same time. One of which was reverse. He replaced the valve body but strongly suggested I get another truck soon. If we had known the total extent of the damage I would have put another transmission in, but it was not worth it to put in the new valve body and then the whole transmission too.
The plaque build up is exactly what happened to our transmission as well,when my husband took it to PJ's garage earlier this year,they flushed the transmission,which we were told later is something the manufacturer is not recommending.Too late now :x
