Transmission slipping while driving

ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your transmission is beginning to slip. This can be caused by many things. The first thing I would do is check the vehicle’s transmission. Automatic transmission use fluid pressure to operate, and will have all sorts of issues if the fluid is low or dirty. If the fluid checks out, I would then move on to looking at the transmission itself. It may be possible that one of the components, such as a sensor or solenoid may be going out and causing your issue. It may also be possible that the transmission is simply worn out and can no longer hold the engine torque, perhaps due to a worn clutch pack, valve body, or torque converter. In these cases of removal and overhaul of the transmission is required. You may be able to continue driving the vehicle, however, because it may cause the symptoms to worsen over time if the issue is not quickly addressed.

ANSWER : Automatic transmissions have been called “slush boxes” for years by old drag racers. The main reason for this name is they are a fluid driven device. Because of this, fluid level and condition are crucial to proper operation. Unfortunately, the 2010 Fusion is susceptible to fluid leaks from the driver’s side output shaft seal as identified in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 150079. Should this seal be leaking, the technician will have to inspect internal components per the TSB. Low fluid can wreak havoc on the internals of an automatic transmission, so I would strongly suggest you have the vehicle towed rather than try to drive it further. Once the technician is able to put the correct amount of fluid in the transmission, proper operation must be verified to ensure no further damage has been done. Provided the bushing, seal, and fluid are the only required parts, repair costs are fairly low but if the transmission sustained damage from fluid loss, the price may be exponentially higher. Contact YourMechanic for an estimate.

ANSWER : Anything is possible with enough engineering. The changes you are looking at would take major structural changes and would definitely not be an easy job. You could possibly consult a manufacturing engineer to get more details on how this could actually be carried out and whether it would be feasible.

ANSWER : Hello. Too much transmission fluid sometimes causes slipping in the transmission, but usually causes seals to blow or fail prematurely. It sounds like your car may have a misfire condition. This means that one or more of your spark plugs are not getting an electric spark. It is possible that a tune-up could fix your problem. It would be a good idea for you to have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, complete a misfire inspection to determine what is causing your vehicle’s issues.

ANSWER : It would be a good idea to check to be sure that the fluid level was not overfilled. Too much fluid creates shifting and operational problems just as too little fluid will. So, the level should be carefully verified. If the whirring noise is from the transmission (it could be wheel bearings for example), such noise could be from the torque converter, oil pump, or other rotating elements. The noise would have to be heard first hand by a mechanic to pin it down. If the transmission is not shifting properly, it could be as simple as a valve body issue (typically the valve body is replaceable on the vehicle) but there are also many other causes of shift difficulty such as broken or worn bands, failing clutch pistons and so forth. Some of these faults can be determined by using external gauges to measure internal hydraulic pressures within the transmission when you shift. Transmissions can be repaired; you won’t necessarily need a "new" transmission but yes, admittedly, such repairs can be costly. If you want to get a definitive diagnosis and get information about repair options, just request a transmission shift and noise diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will help you with that. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hello. Transmission shifting problems can be caused by a wide variety of issues. A few common causes are issues with the fluid, torque converter. Automatic transmission operate using fluid pressure. If the transmission fluid is dirty or contaminated, or the pressure is compromised, perhaps due to a leak, it can cause the transmission to malfunction. Another possible cause could be with the vehicle’s torque converter, or clutch packs, inside of the transmission. These components are what convert the fluid pressure into torque to propel the vehicle and can cause shifting problems if there is any issues. As these are internal components, the transmission would have to be removed and disassembled to service or replace them. Another possible cause is faulty shift solenoids. The shift solenoids are the components that engage the shift points and gears, if they go out they can cause the transmission to experience shifting problems. I would recommend having a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to diagnose the cause of your transmission shifting issues.

ANSWER : It is very possible that you could have some internal transmission damage. I would recommend enlisting in the assistance of a qualified transmission professional to inspect your transmission for internal faults. I must warn that this could be a pricy inspection as it may involve the removal and disassembly of the transmission. However, this is a sure fire way to determine if any internal damage has occured. The good news is that if any damage has occured, it can easily be resolved at that time since the transmissoin has already been disassembled.

ANSWER : Unfortunately, it sounds like you have an internal transmission problem that will require the transmission be rebuilt or replaced. A transmission that won’t go into any forward gear almost always indicates an internal mechanical problem as opposed to an electrical problem, like a sensor. I’m not sure if you have the 6L80E or 5L40E transmission, but my guess is that the problem is probably in the 1-2-3-4 clutch assembly. I suggest you have a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the shifting issue firsthand, and advise you on the next steps.