Updated at: 20-04-2022 - By: micdot

Any car can have a transmission problem at some point. Just know that no matter what the problem is, there is always a way to fix it. A part of your car called an automatic transmission is very important, and like any other part, it will wear and tear over time. For it to last a long time, you need to keep it up to date.

If you don’t pay attention to the signs that your automatic transmission is having problems, you could end up with more damage to the system and even a broken transmission. The easiest thing would be to fix one thing, rather than have that one thing cause other problems. In the long run, ignoring small problems will make them worse and cost you more money. Read this: Fix and why is transmission fluid leaking from the bell housing, flywheel, and in front of the car.

An overview of automatic transmission problems and solutions is going to give you an idea of what they are and how to fix them. I’ll also look at shift-related problems like why the automatic transmission won’t shift into high gear, and why the automatic transmission only shifts manually. Besides telling you how to fix Nissan Xterra transmission problems, I’ll also tell you why the automatic transmission makes a rattling noise when you drive or accelerate, and how to fix it.

Overview on Automatic Transmission Problems and Solutions

When you drive your car, the automatic transmission is the part that lets you change gear at different speeds. Under normal driving conditions, you don’t have to do anything to change or shift gears. Even though the automatic transmission is important, if you don’t pay attention to it, it can make the driving situation different and cause a lot of frustration.

This is why it’s important for you to know these problems and how to fix them so that you can better figure out what’s wrong with your automatic transmission if you do.

To find solutions to the different automatic transmission problems, you should call a mechanic to do the repairs if you don’t know how to fix them.

The following are problems with automatic transmissions and how to fix them:

1. Faulty Electronic Control Unit

An electronic control unit is used to control an automatic transmission (ECU). The ECU, which is the car’s “brain,” decides when to shift the gears. if the ECU is damaged in any way or needs to be reset, your transmission won’t be able to shift right.

2. Damaged Shift Lock Solenoid

There is a button that you push to make the shift lock. It’s either on the side or on top of the gear selector lever. If you want to make it so that you can’t change gears until you step on the brakes, this is what you’ll need. When the shift lock is released, the solenoid is what makes it happen. People who have kids use the shift lock to make sure the car doesn’t roll away because a child tried to move the shifter. If the shift lock solenoid is broken, the car won’t know how to shift.

3. Disconnected or Damaged Shift Cable

This means that if the automatic transmission does not shift, it is likely that a shift cable has been cut or broken. if the car is in an accident, or if the car is being driven aggressively on bumpy roads.

4. Low Transmission Fluid

There are a lot of parts in a transmission that need to be lubricated by transmission fluid so that it can keep running. You might have a hard time getting the transmission to work if there isn’t enough fluid in it. To figure out when to top off the transmission fluid, you need to keep an eye on the level all the time. It is very simple to check for low transmission fluid, and it doesn’t take long. There is a red dipstick that you can use to see if there is anything wrong with your car’s engine.

5. Contaminated Transmission Fluid

In order for the transmission to work, there needs to be transmission fluid in the car This fluid can get dirty with dust and other things. People need to change the fluid when this happens, so they’d need to do that. Contaminated transmission fluid can make it hard for the transmission to shift. It can be prevented by having the transmission checked and the fluid checked.

6. Burnt Transmission Fluid

Burnt transmission fluid is caused by low fluid in the transmission. It gets too hot when the transmission fluid is low. This causes the fluid to get burned up, so it doesn’t work well. When you look at the color of the fluid, you can also see how it looks. Burnt fluid is black instead of pink or red. This is why you should always check your transmission fluid.

7. Worn oil seals

The seals are used to keep the hydraulic pressure from getting too high. Over time, when they are under a lot of stress, they wear and tear. Another reason for fluid to leak is if the oil seals are worn.

8. Defective Valve Body

People who drive automatic cars call the valve body “the brains” of the car, or “the control center.” It has valves that send the transmission fluid to the clutches and bands by moving it through pipes. When the valve body is exposed to a lot of heat and pressure, it wears down. The way to tell if a valve body is broken is if there is fluid coming out of it. Another way to tell is when shifting takes a long time.

9. Transmission Bands

Damage can happen to transmission lines. They can wear out, break down, and then tear. It’s another reason why the transmission doesn’t work if the bands get worn out.

10. Bad torque converter

Transmission bands can also break down and wear down. The torque converter can also be damaged or worn down like that. It won’t be able to move through the torque converter.

Automatic Transmission High RPM Before Shifting

The normal rpm for shifting the transmission should be between 2000rpm and 2800rpm when you do it. This means that if the transmission shifts faster than normal, you’ll need to see an auto mechanic to figure out what’s going on. When the transmission shifts at a high rpm, it wears down the oil seals and bearings over time. Without an anti-wear additive and a good oil cooler for transmission fluid, running the transmission at high rpm all the time would make the fluid get stuck between the gear teeth of the oil pump. This makes the fluid too hot, which makes the transmission fluid burn.

What Causes a Transmission to not Shift3

There are a lot of reasons why your transmission won’t shift. One of them is that your electronic control unit, shift lock, transmission linkage, or transmission fluid has been messed up. A bad transmission means that it won’t move at all, which means that you need to get it fixed. If you keep your transmission in good shape, you can avoid this.

Automatic Transmission Not Shifting into High Gear

There is a problem with your automatic transmission if it smoothly moves from one gear to another but won’t move into the high (third) gear. This means that there is a problem with the transmission. Having a scan done by a mechanic will help you figure out what’s wrong. If your automatic transmission doesn’t shift into high gear, here are some reasons why.

Damage to the shift lock solenoid

Shift cable has been disconnected or damaged.

Transmission fluid that was contaminated

Worn out oil seal and fluid leaks

The torque converter doesn’t work.

Faulty control module for the powertrain (PCM)

The throttle cables are broken.

Automatic Transmission Only Shifts Manually

Most automatic transmissions have a feature that lets the driver change gears by hand. When your automatic transmission only shifts by hand, then your shift isn’t right. If you don’t, you’ll have to get it checked out by a mechanic Moving an automatic transmission manually is not bad, but if you do it too often, the transmission bands between the internal gears will get worn out and the transmission will break down.

How to Fix Nissan Xterra Transmission Problems

There are a lot of things that can go wrong with the transmission of a Nissan Xterra. To figure out and fix the problem, having a mechanic check the car is the best thing to do. Here are some of the most common problems and how to fix them, as well as some tips.

The shift solenoid isn’t working: Replace the solenoid.

Replace the valve body if it’s broken.

Burned or dirty fluid: Drain the transmission fluid and put in new fluid.

Replace the oil seal if the one you have is worn out.

When there are broken or worn gears, you can either fix or buy new ones.

People who have a bad torque converter should fix or replace the torque converter, like this:

There is a whining, clicking, clunking, or humming sound: Fill up the transmission fluid.

Low transmission fluid: Add more transmission fluid to your car.

When shifting is slow or doesn’t work at all, you might need to change the transmission fluid. You might also need to change the solenoid, shift cable, oil seal, or torque converter, depending on what’s wrong.

Repair the source of the leak and buy new transmission fluid.

Can’t go back: Fill transmission fluid.

Slipping Gears: Fill up the transmission fluid.

What Causes Delayed Shifting Automatic Transmission Problem

It is when a shift doesn’t happen when it should. When you have to wait for the transmission to shift into gear, it can be a pain. These problems can be caused by a bad shift cable or an electronic control unit. They can also be caused by low transmission fluid, dust and debris in the transmission fluid, a bad valve body or an electronic control unit that doesn’t work.

Why the Delayed Shifting When Accelerating

A problem is caused when the automatic transmission doesn’t shift when it should, whether the car is speeding up or moving along slowly. If you have a hard time shifting when you’re going fast, there’s a problem with either the valve body, the ECU, or the solenoid. The valves are either stuck to the valve body, the ECU is broken or needs to be reset, or the solenoid is broken and needs to be replaced or serviced. The solenoid needs to be repaired or replaced. A mechanic is the best person to figure out which one it is and fix it so that other defaults don’t happen.

Reason Why the Automatic Transmission is Making a Rattling Noise

Noise is a sound that no one wants to hear, especially when it comes from their car. They are, however, a sign that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. So, what is making the rattling sound? Not only does it bother you, but it also tells you.