Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Use This Handy Chart to Describe Transmission Problems (ASN0707-04)
Reference number: ASN0707-04
Use This Handy Chart to Describe Transmission Problems
ACURA SERVICE NEWS
| ACURA: | All Models |
| CATEGORY: | Acura Service News |
| APPLIES TO: | All Models With A/T |
SERVICE INFORMATION
Giving a clear, accurate description of a transmission problem when you call Tech Line or order a reman A/T can be a tough task. To help make that job easier, we've put together this handy chart. It lists the most commonly reported transmission problems and tells you what they are or what they resemble.
| Transmission Problem | What It Is/What Its Like |
|---|---|
| Banging | A wooden screen door slamming shut |
| Booming | Thunder rumbling in the distance |
| Buzzing | An electric razor |
| Chattering | A rapid jerking motion when starting to move, after a shift, or during torque converter lock-up |
| Chirping | A bird or cricket calling |
| Clacking | Train wheels rolling on a track |
| Clanking | A wrench dropped on concrete |
| Clicking | A ballpoint pen tip extending and retracting |
| Delayed Shift | Shifts later and at a higher engine speed |
| Droning | A propeller-driven airplane off in the distance |
| Drumming | Nervous fingers tapping on a desk |
| Engagement Clunk | A heavy wooden door slamming shut |
| Erratic Shifting | Shifts back and forth between two or more gears |
| Fluttering | A flag flapping in the wind |
| Grinding | A starter drive gear grinding against the flywheel |
| Growling | A dog protecting his food |
| Harsh Shift | An abrupt gear engagement (upshift, downshift, or both) |
| Howling | Wind blowing through a slightly open door |
| Humming | A high-voltage transformer |
| Jerking | A student drivers clutch engagement when starting off |
| Judder | A rapid jerking motion when starting to move, after a shift, or during torque converter lock-up |
| Knocking | Knuckles rapping on a wooden door |
| Locked Up | Wont move, wheels wont turn |
| Roaring | A speeding 4x4 truck with knobby tires |
| Rumbling | A bowling ball rolling down an alley |
| Shift Flare | An increase in engine speed between shifts |
| Shudder | A rapid jerking motion when starting to move, after a shift, or during torque converter lock-up |
| Slipping | Engine speed increases more rapidly than the vehicle speed |
| Ticking | A pencil point tapping on a desk |
| Thumping | A sub-woofer responding to heavy bass |
| Whining | A siren off in the distance |
| Whistling | Steam shooting from of a teapot at full boil |
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.