Are you having problems with your transmission? The transmission is the most important system for your car to function properly. Automatic transmissions are responsible for shifting gear. This happens automatically without the driver having to change gears manually. This process is very efficient when the car is moving forward. The transmissions are very complex and work all the time to keep your car working properly. They can wear out over time because they are used so often.
So, you have just been told you need to repair your transmission. The first question you are likely to ask is how much money is this going to cost me? Also, you may be wondering how long will it take to fix the entire transmission? As it is essential for the function of the car, it may take some time to repair.
It can be difficult to financially plan expensive transmission repairs. If you need to repair your transmission, plan to spend between $ 1,800 and $ 3,400.
What Are the Symptoms of a Damaged Transmission?
You know your car better than anyone. You are the only one who drives your car the most. So, if things turn out differently, you know there is a problem. Have you ever heard strange noises from your vehicle or smelled something burning while driving? This could be a sign that your transmission is failing. You could face a transmission repair if it doesn’t work properly. You should always be aware of some signs and symptoms of a failed transmission.
Listed below are some signs that might require you to repair your transmission:
1. Transmission Is Slipping
When you notice transmission slippage it feels like you’re driving in a gear and then it changes for no reason. In this case, there may also be a whining noise. If this happens to you while you are driving, there is a problem with your transmission and you need to fix it as soon as possible.
This can happen because your transmission fluid is running low or maintenance is lacking. This can lead to wear and tear on your entire transmission system. This ultimately leads to worse problems and you will need to repair your transmission.
2. Shifting Gears
Does it take a while for your car to shift into gear? This could indicate that you have a transmission problem. There may be a transmission oil leak somewhere in your system. Leaving this on for too long can overheat your transmission and damage other parts of the system.
Your transmission will overheat if the transmission fluid cannot reach the other working parts. The liquid is used to lubricate these parts and cool them down when they get hot. You could face a transmission repair if you don’t fix this problem the first time it occurs.
3. Transmission Won’t Stay in Gear
Have you ever put it in gear and it doesn’t move? You only ever expect your car to move the moment you get it moving. If it doesn’t move, there may be problems with your transmission. This problem can occur within the transmission system. It is important that you properly maintain your transmission to prevent damage and to perform at its best.
Failure to check the fluid level or occasionally remove the debris can seriously damage the transmission. In this case, you will most likely have a transmission repair ahead of you.
4. Burning Smell
If you are riding your normal route and smell something burning, you should stop driving and have a mechanic look at your transmission. There may be a fluid leak or low transmission oil.
This will result in a damaged transmission if you don’t fix the problem quickly. You can check the transmission’s dipstick to check the fluid level. If you let this burn for too long you will have to repair your transmission, which will cost you a lot of money.
5. Leaking Fluid
If you see red fluid under your vehicle, there is likely a transmission fluid leak. This can come from a gasket, radiator pipe, or seal. This is very bad for the transmission as the fluid will leak on the hot pipes and eventually damage the working parts of the system.
You will want to find the root problem of this leak very quickly. If the transmission fluid has been sitting in it for too long, you will most likely need to repair your entire transmission.
6. Check Engine Light Is On
Is your check engine light on? This is used to alert you that there is a problem with your car. You should investigate where the problem is coming from. This is nothing to ignore. If your engine’s indicator light comes on, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a problem with your engine. Many people will automatically think it’s the engine.
The light also comes on if you have problems with your transmission. This includes a slipping transmission, solenoid problems, or an overheating transmission. Make sure you identify the problem and seek help immediately. The light may alert you that you need to fix your transmission.
7. Buzzing or Humming Noise
If you are driving and your car is making noise, this is not a good sign. It is not normal for your car to make noises while you are driving. If you hear a click, hum, or buzz, it is likely from your transmission.
This could be due to damaged gears or poor bearings. If you’re running low on gear oil, you may hear this buzz. No matter what the problem is, this sound will alert you that something is wrong. You need to find out what the problem is, otherwise you may face a transmission repair in the future.
How Much Will It Cost to Repair My Transmission?
Repairing a transmission is one of the most expensive jobs a mechanic can do. Since the transmission is so important to the function of the car, it costs a lot to repair. The average cost to repair a transmission ranges from $ 1,800 to $ 3,400, depending on many factors.
Your options are a few when repairing a transmission. You can purchase a used transmission that costs anywhere from $ 800 to $ 1,500. A rebuilt transmission costs between $ 1,100 and $ 2,800, and a refurbished transmission cost between $ 1,300 and 3,400.
These prices are exactly what it costs for the transmission. In addition, you have to pay the labor costs. The labor cost of removing and repairing a transmission ranges from $ 500 to $ 1,200. It takes a mechanic 4 to 10 hours to complete this job.
If you’re looking to buy a rebuilt system, the cost is similar to replacing a transmission. It all depends on the amount of total damage. The more expensive transmission is usually for high-end vehicles or comes from a highly rated mechanic.
The basic repairs will cost you the least amount of money. This will be between $ 300 and $ 1,400. There are many different factors that play a role in how much it will cost to repair your transmission. It will depend on the type of your car, the type of transmission you have bought, and the mechanic you choose.
Looking to Save Money?
There are a few ways you can reduce the cost of repairing a transmission. You can buy a remanufactured transmission yourself and then pay the local repair shop to do the work to install the new transmission. If you, have it bought from a repair shop, they’ll tag the device you bought so you pay more? It’s cheaper for you to buy a transmission yourself and then take all of the parts to a mechanic.
What Are Some Factors That Will Affect the Cost?
There are many different factors that will determine the cost of your transmission repair. The most important factor is the type and extent of the repair. If you completely repair the entire transmission, you can expect to pay thousands of dollars to repair it.
- Extend of the damage done to the transmission: Was your transmission well maintained? Has it gone through a lot of damage and wear and tear? What your car has been through will affect how much the repair will cost.
- Manual vs Automatic: Do you have an automatic transmission? Typically, manual transmissions will cost less compared to automatic transmissions.
- Make of the car: What type of car do you have? Is it a US domestic model or is it an imported vehicle? This will make a difference in the price of your transmission. Normally the US models will cost less than the imported vehicles.
- Repair shop: Every repair shop charges different prices for a transmission repair. It normally depends on their location and reputation of the shop.
- Old vs New: If you have an older car, it could be more difficult to find the correct parts. This means it will cost more money to find these rare parts and repair the transmission.
- Where you live: If you live in an area where there is a higher cost of living or a higher demand for services, you will see a higher labor cost. This will increase the cost of your transmission repair.
How Is A Transmission Rebuilt?
Rebuilding a transmission is a very labor-intensive task. There are many steps to repairing a transmission. The mechanics have to disassemble the transmission to look for problems in the transmission. Then they need to replace any parts that cause malfunction. A mechanic must check these three aspects before repairing the transmission.
Related Article: What is a Transmission Rebuilt?
The first thing to do is change the fluid. If the transmission fluid is dirty or too low, the transmission will not work properly. Next, they need to look for error codes. The vehicle has a computer system that controls automatic shifting.
If the computer system is not reading the RPM correctly, the problem may be with the computer system. A mechanic needs to replace the sensors. The last thing to do before starting any transmission repair is to test and inspect the car. Once all of these steps are complete, a mechanic can begin repairing the transmission.
