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Gearbox

  • Flywheel
  • Bolts

Common Issues

  • Poor response from your car gearbox
  • Problems changing gear
  • Fluid leakage
  • Check Engine Light
  • Unusual sounds
  • Shaking, jerking or grinding
  • Burning smell
  • Quaking when in neutral
  • Gear slippage
  • Dragging clutch (manuals)

10 Signs your gearbox maybe failing

Manual gearbox problems? Semi-automatic gearbox problems? Automatic gearbox problems?
Whether you drive a manual car, an automatic or a semi-automatic, all can suffer from gearbox problems.
As your gearbox is such a crucial element of your vehicle’s components, it’s wise to know the signs that may indicate you have gearbox problems so you can get any issues rectified before the gearbox damage becomes worse.
But what are the signs that a gearbox is failing?
On this page, we look at symptoms that may indicate you have a gearbox fault and why it is important to get any car gear problems looked at as soon as possible.

Why is it important to address gearbox problems?

Knowing the signs that a gearbox is failing means you can get repairs done before the damage becomes serious - potentially saving you money.
When it comes to gearbox problems in cars, it's important to address any issues early - or you'll simply be storing up more serious gearbox problems for later on.

Why is gearbox failure so significant?

Your gearbox - or transmission - is critical to the effective, safe functioning of your vehicle.
Unlike a broken tail light, for example, a faulty gearbox could mean your car is put out of action, and may result in you being stranded by the roadside.
But how do you tell if a gearbox is damaged?

1. Poor response from your car gearbox

If you're having trouble shifting gears, your vehicle may have a faulty gearbox. A sticky gearbox - any sign of hesitation or complete refusal to change gears - may indicate your gearbox may have a fault. Issues with gear changes may be a sign of electric, hydraulic or mechanical issues with your gearbox.

2. Refusal to shift gear

There are multiple possible reasons why your car won’t change gear, including incorrect transmission fluid, a clogged filter, faulty sensors and failing solenoids. It’s important to get your vehicle checked out by a professional if it refuses to change gear.

3. Fluid leakage

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is present in automatic gearboxes to help reduce friction and therefore overheating. If the transmission fluid begins to leak, you could have a serious problem on your hands. Indeed, loss of ATF is a very common cause for automatic transmission failure.

4. Check Engine Light

While the Check Engine Light can suggest a variety of issues, it may also mean you have a gearbox fault. Don't be tempted to ignore this warning; your car has many sensors designed to accurately detect problems - hopefully before they become serious. Check your coolant and transmission fluid levels, or take your vehicle to a mechanic to be checked over for any gearbox problems, or other potential issues.

5. Unusual sounds

An unusual gearbox noise could also be an indication that you have a damaged gearbox. You may have a problem with your gearbox if it starts making a sound you’ve never heard before, or if you hear clunking, whining, humming or buzzing.

6. Shaking, jerking or grinding

With a vehicle with a gearbox bearing failure symptoms, you may experience shaking, jerking or grinding while behind the wheel. Automatic gearbox issues often involve hesitation, slipping, or trembling during gear changes. Manuals are more likely to "grind" when suffering a gearbox fault. Engine and transmission mounts are often the source of jerking and clunking.

7. Burning smell

If you notice a rubber-like burnt smell accompanied with fluid leakage, you could have a transmission issue. You may also see smoke. Burnt transmission fluid means that your transmission is not getting the lubrication it needs. These signs may suggest your transmission is nearing the end of its life. If there's no leakage, such a smell may be caused by sludge or debris being burnt.

8. Quaking when in neutral

If your gearbox quakes or bumps when in neutral, you may need to replace the transmission fluid. But it may also suggest something more serious. Either way, it’s best to get it checked out by a trained mechanic.

9. Gear slippage

A bad gearbox symptom, slipping gears is never a good sign, and may place you, your passengers, other drivers or even pedestrians in danger. Sudden braking or acceleration may be required to avoid collisions. Many modern vehicles feature a “limp mode” or a “safe mode" which prevents drivers from proceeding with a damaged gearbox by defaulting to a single gear. Gear slippage means you should visit a mechanic immediately for gearbox repairs.

10. Dragging clutch (manuals)

A dragging clutch happens when the clutch disc and flywheel fail to disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed. Manuals may also pop out of the current gear - and a grinding noise may be heard.

Is it worth replacing a gearbox?

Wondering whether it is worth replacing a gearbox? This can often depend on the age and value of your vehicle, and whether you think the cost is worthwhile. Depending on the severity of the issue with your gearbox, a full replacement may not be required. It may be possible to repair your car gearbox. Bear in mind though, in a gearbox repair, only the faulty part is rectified, and the chances are that there could be another faulty part in the transmission.