Can low transmission fluid cause check engine light to come on

Yes, your vehicle’s automatic transmission does not have a dashboard warning light of its own so the check engine light will turn on if there is a problem. Buckeye Complete Auto Care advises that this is just one indication of transmission trouble. We are going to list the additional signs below. It’s important to have your transmission serviced at the first sign of trouble to avoid additional damage.

Gear Shifting Problems

Naturally, if your transmission is going bad, your vehicle may become unresponsive when you try to put it in gear. The transmission may also struggle to shift through the gear cycle or stay in gear. If your transmission shifts out of gear, you will lose power and your engine will rev. If you have noticed that your vehicle is having problems shifting gears, it’s important to have the transmission checked ASAP.

Grinding/Squealing Noises

Another indication that your transmission is having problems shifting gears is grinding or squealing noises during the gear shifts. You also should never hear humming noises, especially when the transmission is in neutral. If your transmission makes a clunking sound when you put the vehicle into gear, this, too, is a sign that the transmission is in desperate need of service or repair.

Overheating Transmission

Hot odors coming from underneath your automobile can indicate that the transmission is overheating. As an aside, this is also a sign of catalytic converter trouble. This being said, if the transmission is overheating it is likely due to low transmission fluid. If you haven’t had your transmission fluid changed in 30,000 miles, it is old and dirty and can cause the transmission to run too hot.

Strange Vibrations/Jerks

Another sign that you have low transmission fluid is vibrating or jerking as the vehicle shifts gears. The transmission fluid is both a lubricant and hydraulic fluid. This means it helps the transmission shift gears. If your vehicle is shaking or vibrating when the transmission shifts the gears or when you first put it into gear, again, you need to have the transmission checked as soon as possible.

Transmission Fluid Leak

Finally, if you see red spots underneath your automobile toward the center, your transmission is leaking. Transmission fluid can leak out of the pan gasket or the transmission pan. It can also leak out of the seals or the torque converter. No matter what, you should not have transmission fluid leaking out of the transmission. If you do, this can damage the transmission.

Call Buckeye Complete Auto Care in Columbus, OH, today if your transmission is doing any of the things listed above. We will service or repair it if necessary.

Call Buckeye Complete Auto Care for all your Car needs at 614-285-3453

Yes, transmission problems can cause your check engine light to come on. Your automobile’s main computer, the engine control module (ECM), talks with system sensors to make sure everything is okay. If the transmission sensors report a problem, the ECM will turn on the check engine light. This is just one reason why your check engine light will come on. Midwest Auto Care & Transmission Center lists the other reasons below.

Catalytic Converter Failure

One common reason why you get a check engine warning is that your catalytic converter is failing. This failure can be caused by the part itself dying or clogging. The catalytic converter is an important component in the exhaust system. Its failure or other exhaust system problems, such as clogs or leaks, can cause your check engine light to come on.

Loose Gas Cap/Fuel System Problems

If your check engine light comes on right after you’ve finished filling your automobile with fuel, it could be that you didn’t screw on the gas cap tight enough. The gas cap creates a seal over the gas tank to prevent gas evaporation. Another fuel system problem that can cause the check engine light to come on is a lean or rich fuel mixture due to clogged or leaking fuel injectors.

Mass Airflow Sensor Failure

The mass airflow sensor keeps track of all of the air that flows into the engine. If the sensor is dirty or starts to fail, it will send incorrect data to the ECM and adjustments will be made that will cause either a lean or rich fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. This will cause the ECM to turn on the check engine light and you will notice engine performance issues such as sputtering or surging.

Oxygen Sensor Failure

The same thing can happen with the oxygen sensor. It is located at the beginning of your tailpipe and is responsible for measuring the amount of oxygen that is being released through your vehicle’s exhaust. If it is failing, the ECM will make the same incorrect adjustments that it does when there is a problem with the mass airflow sensor and the check engine light will come on.

Spark Plug Trouble

Finally, if the ECM is malfunctioning, it may be causing the spark plugs to misfire. Old and worn spark plugs will also misfire. This will not only cause the check engine light to come on, but it will also create knocking sounds coming from the engine as the multiple detonations go off in the incorrect order.

Midwest Auto Care & Transmission Center in Lake Station, IN, can get to the bottom of why your check engine light comes on. Once we know what the problem is, we can fix it.

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