Can Transmission Cause Car To Shut Off: How To Fix It?

A lot of times your car will suddenly shut off and you are unaware of what really caused it. While checking out for the different causes, sometimes you may end up wondering can transmission cause the car to shut off?

The answer is yes. A transmission can cause a car to shut off. Since the transmission is a key component for running a car, it can result in your car coming at a standstill. So, when it goes bad there is a possibility for a car to shut off. 

Now, if you want a broader explanation, we have got that for you as well. We will dive into the details of how a transmission works and the problems related to it. Without wasting a moment, let’s get into it. 

How does a transmission cause the car to shut off?

First, let’s talk a bit about the functionality of a transmission in a car. For the most part, transmission is the key component that ensures your wheels are getting power from the engine. It works like a middleman between the engine and the wheels.

Whenever the transmission disconnects your engine from the wheels, you are pretty much at a standstill. Many people call it the idle state of a car. The transmission will get your vehicle to a running state through speed and acceleration adjustment.

Typically, a transmission can be responsible for issues with gear shifting or not providing any power to your car. With modern cars, it can also lead your car to shut down while driving due to a safety feature. Many cars have a safety feature to protect the component from damage.

Since the transmission is the key part for providing power from the engine to the wheels, it can cause your car to shut off when it malfunctions. So, it’s important to deal with any transmission issues immediately to avoid them.

Causes of a transmission failure

Now that you know how the transmission can cause your car to shut off, it’s befitting to learn how the transmission can go bad. Below, we will discuss the causes that can result in your transmission going bad. We also discuss the fixes here, so don’t miss out on this part. 

Transmission fluid leaking

This is an issue that’s pretty common but also neglected frequently. The transmission fluid essentially keeps the transmission up and running with fluidity. It ensures all the transmission parts are lubricated so it operates without issues.

A lot of the time, transmission fluid leaks from the gasket and ends up completely empty. Due to the lack of transmission fluid, all the transmission components fail to function properly. As a result, the transmission causes a car to shut off

Fixing the issue doesn’t require too much effort. All you have to do is find the spot where the fluid is leaking from. If the leak is not that severe you can try repairing it, but if it’s too large of a leak then it’s best to replace the gasket holding the transmission fluid. 

Problems with solenoid

Solenoid issues are another cause you should consider when a transmission goes bad. It’s the part that controls how the fluid will go throughout the transmission.

Often, low fluid can cause the solenoid to go bad. Other than that, different electrical issues can result in a bad solenoid. Things like a weird gear shift, delays in shift, or inability to shift can indicate a solenoid issue.

Solution to the problem is simple. You have to get a replacement solenoid for your transmission. Replace the new solenoid with the defective one, and there should be no issues.  

Internal component damages

A lot of components go into making a transmission. There are several bearings, planetary gears, gaskets, brake bands, clutches, etc. When these parts of the transmission go bad or are damaged, the transmission starts to malfunction.

There are plenty of causes for these parts to get damaged. Some common ones include leaking fluids, external hits or damages, lack of maintenance, and overheating. These can result in various internal parts of the transmission going bad.

In most cases, you can’t fix or repair these parts. The only solution is to replace the damaged parts. To do that, we recommend going to a professional rather than trying everything yourself. 

Transmission filter clogging

Without the proper flow of transmission fluid, you will have difficulties in your transmission. The transmission will not work properly to engage the engine and wheels. Things like delays in response or gear grinding can become a real issue because of this.

One major reason is not cleaning the filter for a long time. The transmission filter ensures that the fluid getting into the transmission is pure and doesn’t have adversities.

The only solution to this problem is to maintain proper servicing. Refer to the manual or manufacturer guidelines to follow regular servicing of the transmission filter.

Torque converter issues

A very crucial component of the transmission system is the torque converter. It’s the part that directs the torque to your car wheels from the engine through the transmission. You can’t expect the transmission to operate properly with torque converter issues. 

A bad torque converter often results in issues like overheating, shuddering, or causing the check engine light to come on. So, when you see these signs, it’s time to check the torque converter.

If you can find out that the torque converter has gone bad, then the solution is to replace the component. Usually, you won’t have ways to repair the thing, or it can be quite costly. 

What are the signs of transmission issues?

Well, you know what causes the transmission to go bad, and you know how to go about solving those problems. But all that becomes pointless if you find out about the issues too late.

That’s why we have discussed some signs indicating problems with your transmission below. Check these out and see if you have anything similar in your case or not. 

• Red fluid dripping or transmission fluid dripping 
• Problems with shifting gears
• Car keeps stalling 
• Brown or black transmission fluid 
• A burnt smell 
• Check engine light coming on 
• Whirring or grinding noises
• Weird noises while car in neutral
• Dragging clutch issue on a manual clutch.
• Lack of power in your engine and wheels.
• Limp or emergency mode activated automatically

How to prevent the transmission from going bad?

Enough with the problems and signs. Let’s focus on avoiding them for a while. When we say “avoid,” it doesn’t mean you will never have the issues. But proper maintenance measures can always reduce the chance of your transmission worsening. Here’s how you prevent it –

• Always check up on the transmission fluid. Make sure there is enough fluid, and it hasn’t gone bad.
• Try to go through regular servicing of your car, especially your transmission.
• Never let the check engine light go on for a long time. Attend to the issue right away.
• Keep your ears out for any kind of weird noises from your car.
• Any time you get any burnt smell go to a mechanic immediately.
• Switch gears properly otherwise the transmission will malfunction.
• To avoid wearing out the transmission, try to use the parking brake.
• Make sure you are not overloading your car. 

Other than that, you may encounter several issues, but these are the most common ones you will see. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

We tried to go into as much detail as possible about the transmission issues. However, there are some more common inquiries people have regarding the issue. Here are the answers to those inquiries.

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