What does the Transmission warning light mean?

What does the Transmission warning light mean?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The Transmission warning light is located on the instrument panel, and illuminates when a problem with your transmission is detected.
Tip
Like all warning lights, the Transmission warning light briefly illuminates when the car is first turned on. The light is only a problem if it stays lit when the engine is turned on.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

A transmission light can turn on for several reasons ranging from an overheating transmission and bad transmission fluid to gear change issues. Checking the transmission fluid level and getting regular transmission service can help prevent car issues.
When the level of transmission fluid goes down, you will get a warning light on the dashboard. The warning light indicates hotter temperatures than normal of the fluid, and there is a need to get the fluid checked.
Transmission Indicator

If the light flashes, it means the computer controlling the transmission has found a problem. Have the automatic transmission checked by your Honda dealer as soon as possible.

The transmission warning light (or message) indicates there`s a problem with your car`s automatic transmission or associated components. These days, automatic transmissions may have a traditional, continuously variable, or dual-clutch design.
Some common symptoms of a failing transmission include unusual noises, slipping, grinding, and jerking when engaging and shifting gears. A failing transmission can lead to various issues ranging from your vehicle making loud noises, behaving erratically on the road, or being undrivable.
The short answer to this question is no, you should not drive with a bad transmission. Sometimes, life happens, and you have to keep driving your vehicle even though you know that it needs to be serviced.
Insert long funnel into automatic transmission fluid dipstick hole. Carefully add automatic transmission fluid in small increments and recheck level each time until fluid level reaches “warm” line. CAUTION: DO NOT OVERFILL OR SPILL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID ON HOT ENGINE PARTS!
If you see this red light come on in your car, you should first pull over to allow your transmission to cool. If not, you could cause expensive transmission damage. Then, as soon as you can, bring your car in to have it serviced immediately.
Some transmissions can live over 10,000 miles, and others can last over 200,000 miles. Always keep in mind that routine maintenance plays a big role when it comes to the lifespan of your Honda transmission.
The transmission error is the variation of the deflection in the path of contact between pinion and wheel under load. It is calculated under static conditions for several meshing positions (n ⇒ 0).
Transmission failure can be caused by slipping, symptomatic noises, lack of fluid due to leaks, overheating, or outside factors that affect the transmission.
If you hear buzzing, humming, or clunking you need to have the transmission looked at. If you don`t, you risk causing further damage. Another clunking is when the car goes to shift from one gear to another. Instead of a smooth shift, the transmission just clunks, thuds, or drops into the next gear.
With proper maintenance, transmissions can last up to 300,000 miles or more. This includes changing the fluid in your transmission system and regular checkups. However, when you don`t keep up with routine maintenance, your transmission might have problems at the 100,000-mile mark or even sooner.
Park the vehicle, set the parking brake, then step on the clutch pedal, and put the transmission into first gear. Listen and feel for any grinding, or other noises when putting the shifter into gear, as that could indicate a potential problem with that particular gears` synchronizer.
Without service and maintenance, some transmissions can fail in as little as 100,000 miles. If you drive around 10-15,000 miles a year, your transmission could be down for the count in seven years! With care and service, transmissions can last 300,000 miles or more.
Often (though not always) a faulty transmission will trigger an engine diagnostic code and trip the Check Engine Light to let you know. Same goes if your engine overheats because of a bad transmission. Problems with a solenoid, speed sensor, slippage, and more can cause the Check Engine Light to come on.
Check the automatic transmission fluid level (with the engine off and the car on level ground) with the dipstick in the right end of the transmission housing. Remove the dipstick and wipe it off. Insert the dipstick, remove it again, and read the fluid level. The fluid level should be between the upper and lower marks.
If the transmission has been drained, you will need 4-12 quarts of fluid to fill it back up. Follow the vehicle service manual for the recommended type and amount of fluid to use. If the fluid is very low when it is checked, then add more fluid and look closely for any leaks.
Quick Answer: Avoid 1998-2005, 2008-2010, 2013, and 2014 Honda Accords. The turn of the century was not an easy time for Honda. The transmission in the new sixth-generation Accord had issues slipping or making thuds while shifting and often outright failing, while several engines stalled out while driving.
While transmission cost can vary from model to model, a replacement will generally range between $1,800 and $3,400 for the parts themselves. Then, you`ll need to factor in labor costs between $500 and $1,200 – along with taxes and fees!
A 2012 Honda CRV transmission flush also uses about 10 quarts of fluid to completely clean and flush out the system.
With exceptional maintenance, several owners have reported getting well above 300,000 miles on their CR-Vs without having to swap the factory-installed engine and transmission.
Transmissions slipping out of gear is fairly common for Honda vehicles. As with most transmissions, stop-and-go traffic and cold weather can be taxing on Honda transmissions. In any automatic transmission, the torque converter is a common fail point, and this is true of Honda transmissions, too.
Depending on the vehicle year, make and model, a speed sensor can cost as little as $7.92 or as much as $100. For most vehicles, the cost for a speed sensor is between $25 and $45.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

No dash lights, back right tail light is out, no parking lights. Brake lights work though as does head lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. In many cases, when you have electrical problems like you’re describing, it’s caused by multiple electrical component failure. It’s likely that a few electrical relays are not working; especially if you have systems that utilize the same components (such as your brake light and tail lights). I would recommend having a professional mobile mechanic come to your location to complete an electrical problems inspection first, so they can pinpoint what is damaged and recommend the right repairs.

Abs light, emergency brake light, steering wheel assist light, engine light, EPC light, traction control light
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle does utilize a lot of the same sensors for these systems. Are there any other codes that are coming up when this code appears? If so you will want to take these into consideration when processing the repair and making a diagnosis. The module may be bad, and replacing it should fix the problem. The lights should turn off once the main computer recognizes the new module and the sensors sync up. If you believe the sensors need to be cleaned you may do so. Do as minimal as possible to make sure you are not damaging the sensor or disrupting the wiring inside. A bad connection would make the lights stay on. With so many lights that are effected by the module being illuminated, the module is likely bad or does not have a connection. Check the connection first and then resort to replacing the unit. For more help with these electrical tests, contact our service department.

on a 1970 Lincoln mark iii Interior lights wont turn on and warning lights are very dim and doorlock button makes buzzer go on
ANSWER : Hi there. Although the electrical systems on older vehicles tend to be much simpler in design, in many cases, issues like you’ve described can be very tricky to trace. It could possibly be something as simple as an expose wire creating an electrical short or a faulty relay that is not completing an electrical circuit. I wish we can help you further, but the best advice I can offer is to have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location and complete an electrical problems inspection.

What is the difference between engine oil warning light and another warning light just like that but with waves under the sign? 1996 Mitsubishi Galant
ANSWER : Hello- the warning light you mention is a " low coolant" indicator. Once the engine is cool – check your coolant reservoir and/or cooling system for proper fluid level. Since you seem to have lost fluid, I would recommend an inspection of the cooling system by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.

signals, daytime running lights are not working, park brake light on dash is on steady and chime is dinging steady 4×4 wont engage
ANSWER : This is likely a brake light switch problem. I would suggest testing the brake light switch which should be located down by the brake pedal. This may also be a computer problem as well as indicated by the other lights on in the dash. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to possibly replace the brake light switch and diagnose with a scanning tool which will download useful data from the truck’s computer indicating what specifically the problem may be.

Car shut down and will not start. Warning lights are on – 2006 Toyota Highlander
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is having some sort of electrical issues. The "Generator Inverter Performance" warning comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s electrical generator inverter. The generator inverter is the component that converts the high current electricity from the vehicle’s hybrid battery into a lower power form of electricity that is useable by the vehicle’s various systems.

The inverter is located in the engine bay, as the silver box on top of the engine. Unfortunately, the inverter is a critical component to the functionality of the hybrid system, and therefore to the operation of the vehicle, and, as a result, needs to be repaired or replaced before the vehicle will run again.

The VSC system warning light comes on when the computer detects an issue with the vehicle’s stability control system. This is usually due to a fault with the wheel speed sensors or the ABS module, though electrical issues can sometimes effect this system as well and cause it to behave erratically. I would start by taking care of the generator inverter issue and going from there.

I recommend having a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, perform an inspection to determine why the warning lights are on and suggest any needed repairs.

Okay so when I turn my lights on at night my brake lights do not work, when I don’t have my lights on they work fine.
ANSWER : Hi there. Based on your inquiry, it’s highly probable that you have a damaged light switch or some electrical fault inside the turn signal relay. However, it’s also possible that the brake switch above the brake pedal could also be the source of your problem. Due to the fact that multiple electrical components might be causing this issue, it’s a smart idea to first have a professional mobile mechanic complete a brake lights are not working inspection, so they can determine what’s causing all of these issues and recommend the right repairs.