YACT: Possible transmission problem?

[tontod]

I've recently been having a problem with my car. It is more prevalent when I've left my car outside for a long period of time (2-3 hours at least) and then drive it. What happens is that during shifting from 1st to 2nd (automatic) the car jerks multiple times. I have to let go of the gas for a couple of seconds, otherwise the car keeps jerking. After hitting the gas after a couple of seconds, it accelerates fines. Sometimes when I'm starting from a stoplight it'll jerk a couple of times. The longer I drive, the less of a problem it gets. In addition, the check engine light is also on. This problem started happening like a day after the check engine light came on. Not sure if they are related or not.

 

[Eli]

Definately sounds like a tranny problem.

 

[notfred]

I know very little about automatic transmissions, but is the fluid level correct?

 

[tontod]

I had the car checked out by a mechanic a week ago, and they checked all the fluid levels and topped them off.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: tontod
I had the car checked out by a mechanic a week ago, and they checked all the fluid levels and topped them off.

Consider that they might have done something stupid? Did it just start after that? Have you checked the tranny fluid yourself? Might be overfilled, which would be bad...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Sounds like a sensor is out of whack. Have a mechanic check the error codes.

ZV

 

[tontod]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Sounds like a sensor is out of whack. Have a mechanic check the error codes.

ZV

I had the mechanic check the code. He said he couldnt come up with something specific, he said the code could mean a lot of things. So I made an appointment with the dealer on Saturday. Hopefully I wont get stuck on the road with a dead transmission or something before that. Guess the car isn't liking the cold weather either.

 

[catnap1972]

Your CEL is on so you definitely need to check that out and see what it's telling you.

Could definitely be a sensor that's history.

 

[Tominator]

What kind of car? Make and model please.

On many cars there is a 'sensor' for the torque convertor that locks it for better fuel economy. If the sensor is bad, it might be locking and unlocking causing the jerking you describe.

 

[tontod]

98 Hyundai Elantra.

 

[Tominator]

Sorry. I have no idea if your Hundai has the sensor, although I suspect it does.

If it were me, I'd take to a shop that specializes in transmission work and ask for an estimate. If they list a part that you might replace yourself, that is easy to get to, then do the work yourself.

Get a repair manual for that car from Autozone or ??. It might give you clues on what might be wrong.

If the repair is more than you are willing to tackle, let the tranny shop do the work.

DO NOT ignore this problem! Automatic transmissions are a bit more complicated than the motor that drives them and small problems can become major ones quick.

 

It may be a disconnected or broken vacuum line to the modulator, asian automatic trannies are not the most reliable in the world, I suggest a full diagnostic line pressure test before proceding with a teardown.

 

[tontod]

Thanks, I'll be sure to get a full estimate before any repairs are done.