Thursday, September 22, 2011

My automatic transmission does not kick into gear sometimes, why is that?

I have a Grand Prix where the transmission doesn't engage when I start the car up for the first time. I have to put it in gear and then rev the engine up real high and then suddenly click! the car slips into gear and everything is fine until the next day after the car has been sitting for a while.



So is this just gunk clogging the mechanism or am I experiencing some permanent damage, or the start of permanent damage? After it starts working then it works great no matter how long I drive it until I park it for a few hours that is...



Would it help to change my automatic transmission fluid with a siphon pump, or will it leave too much gunk in the pan even if I do that? I was thinking of taking it to the service station for a tranmission fluid change but it is rather costly compared to an oil change. But before I do that could it help if I siphone changed the transmission fluid? How much cleaner would things get?My automatic transmission does not kick into gear sometimes, why is that?
Your first concern is fluid level, and condition.

If the level is OK, check the fluid closely for its appearance and smell. Normal fluid will be red in color and have a clean petroleum sort of smell. If it has a lot of shavings in it and smells burned, it is too late for an oil change as the damage is already done. If this is the case, just plan on getting another transmission in the near future, watch the oil level, and drive her 'til she blows.

To change the transmission oil without dropping the pan is a waste of time, as there is a filter in the trany which can only be replaced by dropping the pan. If that filter plugs up, it can cause the problem of a delayed shift like you described. If you drop the pan, and there's big piles of shavings on the magnet (little bit is normal), that trany is getting worn out.My automatic transmission does not kick into gear sometimes, why is that?
I assume you have already checked that the fluid is filled to the correct level. I also assume that you have over 60,000 miles on this car.



The transmission fluid filter is getting clogged. Drain the transmission fluid. Remove the pan on the bottom of the transmission. Clean the pan. Replace the filter. Fill transmission fluid to the corrrect level.



When you clean the transmission fluid pan it is not unusual to find a lot of gunk ans even some metal shavings in the pan and the filter.My automatic transmission does not kick into gear sometimes, why is that?
The problem you described is caused by low fuild level.



If you do decide to change the fluid, do it the right way and take the pan off. There is a small filter inside that you need to change.