Key Takeaways
Following are some key takeaways from this article:
- Shaky transmission refers to the grinding transmission noise or shaking sensation produced in the vehicle.
- The problem can be caused both due to transmission component problems and other components (engine, tires, clutch, etc.)
- The major causes of shaky transmission include misaligned wheels, bad sparkplugs, low transmission fluid, and bad transmission components.
- The symptoms of shaky transmission include a pungent burning smell, slippery gears, strange transmission noises, and a check engine light.
- You can refill the transmission fluid, check for tire alignment, replace the faulty spark plugs and reset the DTC to resolve the shaky transmission problem.
- The cost to resolve shaky transmission can be as low as $16 and as high as $3000.
Introduction
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Transmission is a critical component that powers the wheels. It comprises gears and other components that work together to deliver the engine power to the wheels. Resultantly, the vehicle moves.
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Both manual and automatic transmissions are designed to increase a vehicle’s efficiency. Still, certain transmission and other vehicle components (engine, tires, etc.) problems can impact the transmission’s performance (1). One such problem is shaky transmission, which can impact the vehicle’s driving experience. This article will explain the key causes and symptoms of shaky transmission and potential solutions.
Shaky Transmission in Automatic vs. Manual Transmission
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As the name indicates, shaky transmission is a shaking sensation in the vehicle while shifting gears or accelerating the car. However, the symptoms of shaking transmission might differ depending upon the type of transmission in your car.
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In the case of a manual transmission, the shaky transmission will be depicted by a grinding sound while changing gears. The grinding sound might decrease as the car travels a few miles, as different components are well-lubricated till then (2). The grinding/shuddering sound in automatic transmission might be less, but there will be a shaking sensation during a gear shift. In any case, the problem should be resolved at the earliest to avoid any long-term transmission issues.
Causes of Shaky Transmission
Tire Issues
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One of the major causes of shaky transmission is tire issues. Tires play an essential part in a smooth ride. However, the unbalanced wear and tear in the tires makes the car unbalanced and causes the vehicle to vibrate.
Other than it, loosened car tires are also one of the major causes of vibrations during the transmission. This happens when the tire bearings are loose and cannot maintain the required balance (1). Moreover, the bent rim is another reason for the shaky transmission because uneven contact is established between the tire and the road surface. As a response, shakiness is transmitted to the vehicle’s steering column.
Issues with Spark Plug
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Spark plugs are an important part of the vehicle’s engine system, and the main purpose of this component is to produce the spark in the combustion chamber. So, damaged spark plugs are also considered another cause of shaky transmission.
The vibrations are generated when the car is upon acceleration, the spark is not produced, and the misfire takes place in multiple cylinders (1). Also, the rough performance of the spark plugs will impact the engine’s performance. The rough performance produces shaky transmissions as the fuel ignition is not produced, and the piston is thus not connected to the camshaft. Due to faulty spark plugs, the overall functioning of all the engine parts becomes poor, which causes vibrations in the transmission system.
Low Transmission Fluid
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Low transmission fluid is another major reason for the shaky vibration. The transmission fluid plays an essential role in the transmission system, and the main purpose is to lubricate all the metal parts and bearings in the engine.
Due to low transmission fluid, the required amount of hydraulic pressure is thus not generated. The friction in the internal parts of the engine causes damage to the parts. Also, it becomes difficult to shift the gears when the transmission fluid is low (2). The minimum power is generated when the transmission fluid is low and the vibrations are produced.
Worn Bent Parts
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The damaged brake rotor is a major cause of shaky transmission. A brake rotor is a necessary component, and the purpose of this part is safely stopping the vehicle whenever the brake pad is pressed.
Rotors are metallic disks and need to be replaced after a certain duration. The braking power is lost if the vehicle is driven on worn rotors. In addition, whenever the brakes are applied, the vehicle experiences serious vibrations in the system, which can result in an accident.
Symptoms of Shaky Transmission
Pungent Smell
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The pungent smell is the major symptom of shaky transmission. This happens due to the leakage of the transmission fluid. The transmission fluid gets leaks from the pan and gets mixed with the engine fuel.
As a result, a strong burning smell is produced, indicating problems in the transmission system (3). Moreover, the low level of the transmission fluid is the reason for engine overheating and causes a pungent smell. Other than it, the dirt and debris in transmission fluid, when burnt, cause the rotten egg smell. Also, the leakage of the transmission fluid from the vehicle creates a puddle under the vehicle. This is also a major reason for the low fluid level in the car, and as a result, vibrations are produced in the system.
Slippery Gears
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The damaged transmission system and worn bent parts cause serious damage to the system. In addition, due to the low fluid level in the engine, it becomes difficult to shift the gears because the amount of hydraulic pressure is not generated, and it becomes difficult to shift the gears.
Difficulty in shifting the gears indicates that the transmission system fails to engage the gear system (4). Thus, this issue indicates that the transmission fluid needs to be replaced; otherwise, the vehicle may suffer from serious conditions. Also, the bent rotor creates problems, and due to lack of power, it becomes difficult to shift the gears.
Strange Noise and Engine Code
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Strange noises are the biggest symptom of shaky transmissions. The noises are produced when the metal parts are not well lubricated, and harsh noises are produced due to excessive friction.
Also, when the tire bearings are loose, a harsh sound is generated due to the uneven contact of the tire with the surfaces. Also, the damaged spark plug is a major cause of creating harsh noises in the engine system. This happens when the fuel vapors are unable to ignite properly. Initially, the fuel vapors catch fire and detonate, causing a knocking sound in the engine system. Besides, the poor transmission system is responsible for turning the check light on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Solution of Shaky Transmission
Following are a few solutions for shaky transmission systems:
Refill the Transmission Fluid
The first solution for shaky transmission is to refill the transmission fluid and test drive the vehicle. As discussed above, less transmission fluid can sometimes increase the transmission temperature.
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Resultantly, the car will shudder and feel like it is vibrating. Transmission shaking is due to low transmission fluid when the car is vibrating/shuddering even at a lower speed. Shuddering at high speed can indicate an issue with the vehicle’s tires or other mechanical parts (4). So, it is recommended to refill the transmission fluid at regular service maintenance. You can consult the vehicle’s instruction manual to get further information about the transmission fluid refill.
Check for the Tire Balance
Due to long distances and rough terrain driving, the wheel alignment can be impacted. When the tire is not balanced, the transmission shaking/shuddering gets more intense. You can take the car on a straight road to check for misalignment.
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Now try driving with a loose grip on the steering wheel. If the car is pulled, it indicates that the tires are misbalanced and the steering wheel needs alignment (5). You can take the car to the nearest alignment center to resolve the issue. But, first, test the vehicle to check if the transmission shuddering has gone. If the issue persists, then it is an indication of the worn-out transmission part causing the issue.
Replace the Faulty Sparkplug
As discussed above, that shaky transmission can also be due to bad sparkplug. You should take the car to a professional service center to detect the particular misfiring cylinder (4). This will help the mechanic to replace the faulty sparkplug. Test drive the vehicle after replacing the faulty sparkplug to check if there are any symptoms of shaky transmission.
Reset the DTC and Test Drive
The dashboard illustrates the check engine light if your car is not experiencing shaky transmission symptoms. So, there can be a chance that the DTC is being indicated due to some sensor complication.
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In this case, you can reset the DTC and test-drive the vehicle. If the check engine light appears again, you should take the car to some professional to figure out the issue. Otherwise, you can keep driving as the transmission works fine (5).
Cost to Resolve Shaky Transmission Issues
The following table illustrates the cost required to resolve shaky transmission issue:
| Common Problems Causing Shaky Transmission | Cost Required to Resolve the Issue |
|---|
| Bad Sparkplug | $16-50 to replace the bad sparkplug set |
| Faulty Sparkplug Coil | $200-300 to replace faulty sparkplug coil |
| Bad Sparkplug Hole | $100-200 to replace the sparkplug hole issues |
| Low Transmission Fluid | $125-250 to replace transmission fluid |
| Misalignment in the Wheels | $50-100 for wheel balancing |
| Faulty Transmission Components | $600-3000, depending upon the exact transmission problem |
Conclusion
To conclude, a shaky transmission is a critical issue in the vehicle that is not only caused by bad transmission components, but bad engine components and problems in wheel balancing can also cause it. The major symptoms of shaky transmission are the vibration in the vehicle while shifting gears, slippery gears, and strange noise. Therefore, it is recommended that drivers not ignore these symptoms and take the car to a professional service center to avoid long-term engine/transmission problems.
FAQs
Shaky transmission can be caused by any of the above-listed problems in a manual vehicle. It can be due to bad transmission components, wheel balancing, sparkplugs, etc. However, in manual transmission vehicles, an additional component that can cause shaky transmission can be a bad clutch. When the clutch wears out, the transmission can shake. And the vehicle can shake both at low and high speeds. It would help if you replaced clutch plates every 30,000-50,000 miles to avoid this problem.
Consider changing the transmission fluid after every 30,000 miles-50,000 miles in normal driving conditions. It is an optimum mileage to replace the fluid for every vehicle. To further get an idea about your vehicle, you can always consult the vehicle’s instruction manual.
It illustrates a critical problem with the transmission components. The burning smell is an indication of high transmission temperature. In some vehicles, there is a transmission temperature gauge in the cluster meter. Keep an eye on the transmission temperature. Similarly, also check the transmission fluid before traveling long distances. The transmission reservoir is located under the hood alongside the engine oil reservoir. Low transmission fluid can also cause a burning smell and shaky transmission.
