Symptoms - Automatic Transmission

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Buick Lucerne. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The following table consists of nine diagnostic categories that are located in the left column. Using this column, choose the appropriate category based on the operating conditions of the vehicle or transmission. After selecting a category, use the right column to locate the specific symptom diagnostic information.

Diagnostic Category	Diagnostic Information
Fluid Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Fluid condition, appearance, contaminants, smell, overheating Line pressure, high or low Fluid leaks	Refer to Transmission Fluid Check . Refer to Fluid Foaming . Refer to Converter Ballooning . Refer to Low Line Pressure . Refer to Fluid Leak Diagnosis . Refer to Automatic Transmission Fluid Leaks .
Noise and Vibration Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Noise, drive gear, final drive, whine, growl, rattle, buzz, popping Vibration	Refer to Noise in All Ranges . Refer to Whine Noise Varying with RPM or Fluid Pressure . Refer to Popping Noise . Refer to Buzz Noise or High Frequency Rattle Sound . Refer to Whine/Growl Noise That Changes with Vehicle Speed . Refer to Final Drive Noise or Hum Noise . Refer to Noise in First, Second, Third, or Fourth . Refer to Vibration Diagnosis .
Range Performance Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Drives in Neutral No Park No Reverse No Drive Loss of power Stalling No engine braking No or incorrect gear selection Starts in gear	Refer to Forward Motion in N . Refer to Does Not Stay in Park . Refer to No Reverse . Refer to Transmission Slips in Reverse . Refer to Loss of Drive . Refer to Loss of Power . Refer to No Torque Multiplication . Refer to Engine Stall . Refer to No Engine Braking . Refer to No Overrun Braking in D3 . Refer to No Overrun Braking in D2 . Refer to No Engine Braking in D1 . Refer to No Gear Selection . Refer to Shift Lever Indicates Wrong Gear . Refer to Engine Starts in Gear .
Shift Quality, Feel, Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Harsh shifts Soft Shifts	Refer to Harsh Shifts . Refer to Soft Shifts .
Shift Pattern: This category contains the following topics: Missing Gears One forward gear only Specific forward gears only Slipping Non-First Gear Starts	Refer to No First Gear . Refer to No First Gear D2, D3, D4 . Refer to No Second Gear D2, D3 . Refer to No Third Gear - D3 . Refer to No Fourth Gear . Refer to Third and Fourth Gears Only . Refer to Second Gear Starts .
Shift Speed Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Inaccurate or inconsistent shift points High shift speed	Refer to Inconsistent Shifts . Refer to Extended or Delayed Upshifts .
Torque Converter Diagnosis: This category contains the following topics: Torque Converter Diagnosis TCC shudder No TCC Apply TCC remains engaged Soft TCC Apply Early TCC Apply Engine stalls	Refer to Torque Converter Diagnosis . Refer to No Torque Converter Clutch Apply . Refer to Torque Converter Clutch Not Disengaging . Refer to Soft Torque Converter Clutch Apply . Refer to Early Torque Converter Clutch Engagement . Refer to Engine Stall .
Indicator On or Message Center Displays Message: This category contains the following topics: Message Center displays "Trans Hot...Idle Engine" Message Center displays "Change Trans Fluid" Message Center displays "Service Transmission"	Refer to Transmission Fluid Check . Refer to Fluid Foaming . Refer to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle .
If No Symptom Found	Refer to Transmission Fluid Check . Refer to Road Test . Refer to Line Pressure Check .