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5 Common Heavy-Duty Truck Transmission Problems To Avoid

The gearbox in your diesel truck is one of the most crucial and costly components. The gearbox allows the engine to move your wheels, and it’s what keeps you on the road!

Consequently, it may be somewhat alarming when you start having transmission problems. Because fixing a gearbox may be pricey, many people continue to drive and ignore warning signs.

This, on the other hand, is a huge mistake.

Transmission problems may not go away on their own, and if you ignore them for too long, your truck may need a total transmission replacement. Having a transmission replaced is far more expensive than simple transmission repairs.

So, how can you be sure that your gearbox is in good shape? 

Recognize these five common transmission problems and take the required steps to resolve them!

Table of Contents

You notice transmission fluid leaks or a burning smell

Fluid leaks are commonly related to transmission problems like slippage and poor overall transmission performance, suggesting transmission failure.

Check underneath your truck to see if any fluid has accumulated. If the fluid is bright red, clear, and somewhat sweet-smelling, it’s transmission fluid, and you’ve sprung a leak.

Fluid leaks are usually not a significant issue if discovered early enough; they can usually be easily repaired by a professional.

Your truck should be good to go once you replenish your transmission fluid levels.

Failure to handle these fluid leaks might result in severe transmission damage, so have your truck fixed when you notice any fluids leaking from the chassis.

Sudden transmission changes

When your truck shifts into another gear, it should be relatively smooth and effortless, with no “clunking” or “thudding” noises.

If you hear these unusual noises when shifting gears, you should take them seriously.

Clunking may be caused by low transmission fluid, worn-out gears, and digital sensors and solenoids that give your truck’s gearbox inaccurate information.

It’s usually challenging to tell what’s causing your truck to shift jerkily until you take it in for repair, so schedule an appointment as soon as you notice these issues.

You experience slipping in the transmission

Gearbox sliding is quite common, and it may be caused by a variety of issues with the transmission, including low fluid levels, fluid leaks, worn-out gears, and solenoid failures.

Fortunately, gearbox slippage is relatively easy to detect. When driving at the same speed, the pitch of your engine will quickly shift, going from a low rumble to a high-pitched whine, and your RPMs will swiftly climb. When your gearbox slips and downshifts fast, this happens.

However, you may find that your truck is sluggish and underpowered, which may occur when the gearbox upshifts at a slower pace. Acceleration will be slow, and engine noise will be lower than typical.

Transmission slipping is dangerous since it may lead to accidents or further transmission damage.

Take your truck to a specialist right away if you’re experiencing problems.

Changing gears needs more time

Does it ever “hesitate” or “delay” when you attempt to shift your truck into gear? Maybe you’re leaving a parking lot, and the gearbox takes a few seconds to switch from reverse to drive.

Even if you press the gas pedal, the transmission isn’t engaged. Therefore power isn’t sent to the wheels for many seconds.

This is generally often a sign of a clutch issue.

The clutch is in charge of gear shifting in both manual and automatic trucks. A faulty clutch may result in poor transmission performance and damage to your gearbox or truck’s flywheel if left neglected, both of which are expensive to repair.

If you detect a substantial delay in shifting gears, get your truck inspected as soon as possible.

You may even discover that the gearbox refuses to engage in gear in some instances. This is a critical issue to keep in mind.

Check the transmission fluid level if the truck won’t shift after engaging the clutch and moving the stick. Also, double-check that you’re using the right fluid kind and thickness.

The computer system in the truck might be the source of the problem.

If the fluid has already been tested, unplug the battery for thirty minutes to reset the truck’s computer. When you reconnect the battery, the system should reset itself.

Allow plenty of time for the operation to reset, as it might take up to 30 minutes. It’s time to have your truck looked at if none of these ways work.

You see a check engine bulb on the dashboard

Contrary to common opinion, the “check engine” light isn’t meant to scare you into visiting a mechanic.

Dirty fuel injectors, clogged DPF filters, and anything in between may all cause this light to illuminate.

Don’t disregard your check engine light if you’re experiencing any of the signs mentioned above or transmission failure symptoms.

To find out what’s wrong with your truck, take it to a licensed repair shop straight away and have the error code examined.

Unless you’re a technician, you’ll probably need professional help to fix your truck. As a result, we recommend stopping by your favorite neighborhood repair shop.

Final words

If you ignore your truck’s gearbox problems, you might pay a hefty repair bill to get it back in working order. When you believe your gearbox is acting up, take your truck to a competent truck repair shop.

Expert specialists will examine your truck and provide you with all of the information you need to get it repaired and back on the road as soon as feasible.

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