When I’m driving, sometimes the car over revs and jerks when I shift gears after the cars been on for a while
After awhile of driving, the car sometimes revs high (like when you give the car gas when it's in neutral) I usually let go of the gas until it catches back (if you get what I'm saying) it usually happens around second gear at about 2500 to 3000 rpms. It starts to happen maybe about a half hr after I turn the car on driving around town (on the highway I'm fine) and when I shift gears from like Reverse to Drive it takes a couple of seconds and then the car jumps. Can you tell me what that is? (I'm thinking transmission but I'm no mechanic) Thanks
My car has 157000 miles.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi There,
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by vehicle speed sensors and engine speed sensors. Based on this information, the Engine Control Unit (ECU), or the Transmission Control Unit (TCM), executes the appropriate upshifts and downshifts by sending a signal to one of several shift solenoids. These transmission solenoids have spring-loaded plungers inside them, which are wrapped with wire. When this coil of wire receives an electrical charge from the TCM / ECU, it causes these plungers to open, allowing transmission fluid to flow into the valve body and pressurize the desired clutches and bands. When this happens, the transmission changes gears and you continue down the road. The computer controls the transmission solenoid in several ways. If the vehicle is equipped with a dedicated Transmission Control Unit, it can open or close the hydraulic circuit using a direct 12v signal. In some cases, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can control the solenoid’s plunger by turning the ground circuit on and off. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your transmission.
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by vehicle speed sensors and engine speed sensors. Based on this information, the Engine Control Unit (ECU), or the Transmission Control Unit (TCM), executes the appropriate upshifts and downshifts by sending a signal to one of several shift solenoids. These transmission solenoids have spring-loaded plungers inside them, which are wrapped with wire. When this coil of wire receives an electrical charge from the TCM / ECU, it causes these plungers to open, allowing transmission fluid to flow into the valve body and pressurize the desired clutches and bands. When this happens, the transmission changes gears and you continue down the road. The computer controls the transmission solenoid in several ways. If the vehicle is equipped with a dedicated Transmission Control Unit, it can open or close the hydraulic circuit using a direct 12v signal. In some cases, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can control the solenoid’s plunger by turning the ground circuit on and off. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your transmission.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Typically, a surging or jerking motion can be caused by an unbalance of air and fuel in the engine. Your engine needs the exact amount of an air and fuel mixture to properly perform the combustion process.
Automatic transmissions that shift hard, jerk or shake during a shift change may mean your transmission fluid needs changed or fluid level is low. In manual transmission vehicles, abnormal gear shifts could indicate damaged gear synchros, worn clutches or other, more severe issues.
RPM fluctuation is a common issue for cars with faulty spark plugs as they fire the fuel with the pistons. If they wear out, your acceleration slows, and jerking and misfire start occurring, which, in combination, causes poor fuel economy and vibrations.
Worn Out Gears or Transmission Bands – With use and time, it`s possible for gears to wear out. When gears don`t properly fit together, they can create a jerky shifting experience.
It could have a failing mass air flow sensor, a failing throttle position sensor, a problem with the fuel pressure, or even an internal transmission problem.
The Vehicle Speed Sensor measures vehicle speed. When it fails the transmission can stop shifting or shift late and harsh. A bad VSS may also inhibit overdrive and the converter clutch.
Surging, Lurching or Jumping – Along with the other common symptoms of a bad CVT transmission, surging can be a sign of contaminated transmission fluid. When your transmission becomes too polluted or filled with debris over time, your vehicle might begin to accelerate, jerk, lurch.
RPM fluctuation is a common issue for cars with faulty spark plugs. After all, they are responsible for firing the fuel with the pistons, and your acceleration slows if they`re too worn. You may also experience misfires and jerking, poor fuel economy, or vibrations.
Engine Surging Can Be an Early Warning Sign of Ignition Problems. Engine surging is usually a warning sign that your car or truck is having combustion problems. Since a vehicle`s ignition wires and spark plugs play a major role in proper engine performance, it is likely time to check your engine`s electrical components …
When your car jerks, stumbles or stutters while driving, it usually means something is interfering with the proper distribution and transfer of power from your transmission. Another example is if you`re driving a manual transmission and haven`t gained the feel of shifting for your particular vehicle.
The transmission fluid in an automatic transmission is essential for lubricating and cooling the components inside. However, over time, the fluid can become contaminated with debris, dirt, and metal particles. Contaminated fluid can interfere with the operation of the torque converter, causing it to shudder.
An indication that a vehicle is not receiving the right mixture of air and fuel is if the vehicle jerks or surges forward at high speed. Several components of the fuel or air intake system could cause this jerking or surging sensation to happen. Issues within these systems can also cause fuel economy to worsen.
When a MAF sensor malfunctions, it can do so in a very subtle way. It can create an erratic or incorrect signal on initial take-off, which can cause an elongated shift. It can deliver an incorrect signal at higher engine speed, which can create shudder that could be mistaken for torque-converter-clutch (TCC) problems.
The fluid`s frictional properties play a vital role in ensuring the clutch plates bind together properly and gear shifts occur seamlessly. Over time, the fluid`s frictional properties can degrade, leading to hard, jerky or inconsistent shifts. In this case, it`s time for a fluid change.
The automatic transmission (CVT) can have a “shudder” due to a worn start clutch. Replacing the start clutch should correct this type of shudder condition. 26 people reported this problem.
Nissan vehicles with CVT transmissions still experience shaking, shuddering, overheating and acceleration problems.
There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering when you accelerate. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn`t accelerate as much as you`d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you`ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.
1. A SURGING SURGING condition occurs where engine power fluctuates up and down.
Grinding noises, transmission leaks, burning smells, noisy idling, and shifting delays are all common symptoms of a clogged filter.
Another way to look for transmission problems is to hold down the brake pedal with one foot while stepping on the gas pedal with the other foot so you can rev up the engine. Make sure the parking brake is on during this time, and don`t rev the car for longer than a few seconds.
A clogged fuel injector can prevent the fuel your car needs to accelerate, thus causing you car to jerk in the process. If you hear your car engine stuttering, then the injectors may not be providing an adequate amount of fuel. To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
When I’m driving, sometimes the car over revs and jerks when I shift gears after the cars been on for a while
ANSWER : Hi There,
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by vehicle speed sensors and engine speed sensors. Based on this information, the Engine Control Unit (ECU), or the Transmission Control Unit (TCM), executes the appropriate upshifts and downshifts by sending a signal to one of several shift solenoids. These transmission solenoids have spring-loaded plungers inside them, which are wrapped with wire. When this coil of wire receives an electrical charge from the TCM / ECU, it causes these plungers to open, allowing transmission fluid to flow into the valve body and pressurize the desired clutches and bands. When this happens, the transmission changes gears and you continue down the road. The computer controls the transmission solenoid in several ways. If the vehicle is equipped with a dedicated Transmission Control Unit, it can open or close the hydraulic circuit using a direct 12v signal. In some cases, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can control the solenoid’s plunger by turning the ground circuit on and off. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your transmission.
What you are describing may be a result of a faulty speed sensor, potentially low transmission fluid or a even a faulty transmission control solenoid. As your vehicle travels down the road, the computer analyzes data being sent by vehicle speed sensors and engine speed sensors. Based on this information, the Engine Control Unit (ECU), or the Transmission Control Unit (TCM), executes the appropriate upshifts and downshifts by sending a signal to one of several shift solenoids. These transmission solenoids have spring-loaded plungers inside them, which are wrapped with wire. When this coil of wire receives an electrical charge from the TCM / ECU, it causes these plungers to open, allowing transmission fluid to flow into the valve body and pressurize the desired clutches and bands. When this happens, the transmission changes gears and you continue down the road. The computer controls the transmission solenoid in several ways. If the vehicle is equipped with a dedicated Transmission Control Unit, it can open or close the hydraulic circuit using a direct 12v signal. In some cases, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can control the solenoid’s plunger by turning the ground circuit on and off. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your transmission.
The car doesn’t shift into first gear while it works fine in reverse
ANSWER : The problem could be that the internal transmission pump is weak, or the transmission clutch seals are leaking. It sounds like the transmission will need an overhaul.
I recommend having a transmission mechanic test the pressures and diagnose the problems to verify whether you need an overhaul with a new torque convertor.
What’s wrong with my manual Jeep if I’m driving at 5th gear but it sounds like I’m driving at 3rd or 4th?
ANSWER : Since the car is still new, the vehicle should be taken back to the dealer to be checked under warranty. You may need a repair or replacement of the engine assembly. The engine may have an imbalance causing the problem. There is a technical bulletin that may pertain to this vehicle and call for engine replacement. The TSB is 09-008-16 and is dated June 16, 2016.
Car revs high and jerks when first starting to drive car, while driving.
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. This type of problem is amplified any time the transmission is low on fluid creating a drop in hydraulic pressure. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
It sounds like you may have low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. This type of problem is amplified any time the transmission is low on fluid creating a drop in hydraulic pressure. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
Won’t shift past 2nd gear . It drives normal to 2nd gear but wont shift into 3r – 2000 Ford F150 4×4
ANSWER : Hello – I don’t think this is related to switching back to 2WD per se. There is a shift position sensor on the side of the transmission, and it’s possible that the snow activity caused moisture and/or dirt to get into the sensor. I would recommend a transmission inspection 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.
My car gear does not engage to drive position.
ANSWER : Hi there:
Sometimes this issue is caused by a faulty shift solenoid attached to the transmission; while in other instances, it can be caused by low transmission fluid or other damage inside the transmission. The best thing to do is have a professional mechanic complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can determine what is causing this problem and recommend the right repairs.
When I drive it and come to a stop with my foot on the brake my car revs up and sometimes shuts off and I have to start up again 2006 Chevrolet Impala
ANSWER : Hi – first task is to read any problem codes, whether the Check Engine light is on or not. Most auto parts stores will do this for you for free on a "time-available" basis. Any codes extracted are useful for diagnostic purposes. Based on your symptoms, the throttle position sensor is a leading failure possibility. A malfunctioning idle air controller could also cause the unpredictable idling issues, but not a shut-off while driving. I recommend a car stalling inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
When shifting into 1st gear and attempting to take off, car shakes and then stalls. Car also won’t let me shift into reverse.
ANSWER : Hi there. Either the shifter rail is damaged inside the transmission keeping the gears from going into reverse and the first gear from connecting all the way, or the transmission first and reverse gears are damaged causing the transmission to have a hesitation on the forward 1st gear and no reverse. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission shifting issue.
