What Does Sluggish Transmission Mean? [Explained!!]

A sluggish transmission means a transmission that is hard to shift or has delayed functionality. It’ll respond slowly or won’t respond at all. It might be sluggish because of a damaged clutch, solenoid, or band. Low or burnt transmission fluid and a faulty torque converter might also be the problem.

But, there’s much more to know here. To learn more, keep reading the article to the end.

What Does Sluggish Transmission Feel Like?

With a sluggish transmission it will feel underpowered and you’ll feel that the acceleration is poor. It will also upshift at a low speed. You might even hear a low-pitched noise from the engine. Also, as I mentioned, the gear shifting will feel hard and delayed.

Sluggish Transmission Symptoms

There are some common symptoms of sluggish transmission both in automatic and manual. Here, I’ve listed them for you: 

• Check Engine Light On: If there’s an issue relating to your transmission, the check engine light might come on. You’ll find it illuminating on your dashboard. 

• Odd Grinding Noise: While driving or accelerating, you might hear a grinding noise coming from the vehicle. 

• Bad Smell: You might notice some strange smells if there’s an issue with the transmission. Usually, it might smell like burning plastic, melting wire, or smoke. 

• Slow Acceleration: Transmission problems might cause the engine to become rough. When you press the gas pedal, it’ll fail to accelerate properly and stall.

• Gear Shifting Issues: When you try to shift gears, it’ll feel hard. The shifting might be delayed. The gears will slip when you try to shift.

• Can’t Shift to Reverse Gear: Another common issue is that you might not be able to shift to reverse gear at all.

After the symptoms, you should also know why the transmission goes bad. 

Sluggish Transmission- Reasons and Solution

A transmission may be sluggish for quite some reasons. First, let’s look at the table below for a brief summary:

Reasons	Solution
Low or Burned Transmission Fluid	Fix leak and refill transmission fluid,
	Replace old Transmission Fluid
Bad Starter Solenoid	Replace Starter Solenoid
Damaged Clutch	Replace/Repair Clutch
Misaligned or Worn out Transmission Band	Adjust Transmission Band
	Replace Transmission Band
Worn-out Gears	Repair Gearbox
Faulty Torque Converter	Replace Torque Converter

Now, let’s explain these reasons in detail.

Reason 1: Low or Burned Transmission Fluid

The most common reason for a sluggish transmission is low or burnt transmission fluid. If the transmission fluid is low due to overdue refill/change or if there is a leak somewhere then it will make your vehicle transmission sluggish. 

As a result of low transmission fluid, your vehicle will make grinding noises and be slow to engage. You’ll also face acceleration problems. On the other hand, you’ll notice a burning smell if your transmission fluid starts to burn due to low level and high heat (due to friction).

Solution: Fix the Leak and Refill the Transmission Fluid

If the transmission fluid is low, ensure there are no leakages. You can watch this video on how to fix the leaks: How to Find a Transmission Fluid Leak + Fixes for the Most Common Ones

Once the leak is fixed, you can just refill the transmission fluid. If you don’t know how to refill the fluid, watch this video: How to Check and Add Transmission Fluid 

We also have a quick fix for only automatic transmissions. If the fluid level is low, just add CRC Trans X Slip Stop Leak. Fill the bottle to the top, but don’t overfill it.

Solution for burnt transmission fluid: Change Transmission Fluid

If the transmission fluid is burnt, you’ll have to change it. In this case, you’ll have to drain the existing fluid first. You can just take the car to your nearest mechanic shop. They’ll change the fluid for you. But, if you’re a DIY person, you can also watch this video: How to Change Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter (COMPLETE Guide)

Reason 2: Bad Shift Solenoid

If the shift solenoid is damaged, it’ll cause transmission problems. It’s a type of transmission solenoid and may get damaged due to these reasons:

• Electrical Issue: If the solenoid is exposed to incorrect voltages, the solenoid coil will fail. 
• Bad Transmission Fluid: If the transmission fluid is dirty, it’ll clog up the solenoid. It’ll also get damaged.
• Wear and Tear: Like every other component, the shift solenoid can wear out with time. Usually, it takes about 1-3 years. 

Just be careful about the symptoms of a bad shift solenoid.

Solution: Replace/ Repair Starter Solenoid

Sometimes cleaning the shift solenoid might fix it. If not, take the solenoid to a professional rather than fix it on your own. He’ll also know if the solenoid needs to be replaced. It’ll take you about $200-$500 to repair the solenoid including the labor costs. 

You can also replace the solenoid by following the steps in this video: How to Replace Transmission Shift Solenoid 2004-2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Reason 2: Bad Shift Solenoid

If the shift solenoid is damaged, it’ll cause transmission problems. It’s a type of transmission solenoid and may get damaged due to these reasons:

• Electrical Issue: If the solenoid is exposed to incorrect voltages, the solenoid coil will fail. 
• Bad Transmission Fluid: If the transmission fluid is dirty, it’ll clog up the solenoid. It’ll also get damaged.
• Wear and Tear: Like every other component, the shift solenoid can wear out with time. Usually, it takes about 1-3 years. 

Just be careful about the symptoms of a bad shift solenoid.

Solution: Replace/ Repair Starter Solenoid

Sometimes cleaning the shift solenoid might fix it. If not, take the solenoid to a professional rather than fix it on your own. He’ll also know if the solenoid needs to be replaced. It’ll take you about $200-$500 to repair the solenoid including the labor costs. 

You can also replace the solenoid by following the steps in this video: How to Replace Transmission Shift Solenoid 2004-2012 Chevrolet Colorado

Reason 3: Damaged Clutch

If your clutch is damaged, shifting gears will be more difficult. You’ll even hear a grinding noise while shifting gears. Also, the clutch pedal might feel spongy.

The usual lifespan of a clutch is about 2000-150000 miles. The clutch pedal usually develops these signs after this. The main reason here is the friction between the clutch disc, pressure plate, and flywheel. It produces heat which wears down the clutch.  

Solution: Replace Clutch

Replacing the clutch is a complicated process. Thus, we advise you to contact a mechanic. But, if you’re confident enough in your skills, watch this video and do it yourself: How to Fix a Slipping Clutch in Your Car (Clutch Replacement)

Reason 4: Misaligned or Worn out Transmission Band

Over time, your vehicle’s transmission band is subjected to fluid contamination and stress. Thus, the transmission band gets worn out and misaligned. In this case, you’ll be able to hear a loud grinding noise and jolting. 

Solution: Adjust The Transmission Band

If the transmission band is misaligned, you’ll have to fix the alignment. Different amounts of torques are needed according to the vehicle. For that, refer to the owner’s manual. 

If you want to adjust the transmission band yourself, watch this video: How to adjust bands and change automatic transmission fluid

Solution: Replace the Transmission Band

If the transmission band is damaged, it’s best to replace it. But, that’s a complicated process even for experts. You can watch this video to learn the process: 2-4 Band replacement – Ford Escape However, I suggest seeking professional assistance.

Reason 5: Worn-out Gears

Due to insufficient transmission fluid, a car’s gears might get worn out. Other than that, daily use can also wear it out over time. If they’re worn out, the gears won’t engage properly and slip. Thus, you’ll have a bumpy shift while accelerating.

Solution: Repair Gearbox

To repair the worn-out gears, you’ll have to repair the gearbox of your car. There’re many components inside it that work alongside each other to function properly. Thus, they’re quite complicated. So, we recommend hiring a professional for this purpose. 

Reason 6: Faulty Torque Converter

One of the main reasons for a faulty torque converter is bad transmission fluid. If that’s the case, your car will shudder while driving. Your car’s temperature gauge will indicate overheating. Also, the converter will delay shift and slip gears. 

Solution: Replace Torque Converter

If your torque converter is bad, you’ll have to replace it. So, how to replace the torque converter? Just follow this simple guide:

Step 1: First, you’ll need to remove the automatic transmission from your car. You can watch this video for help: 4L60E 4L65E Automatic Transmission Removal Tips & Tricks How to DIY

Step 2: After removing the transmission, hold the torque converter and jiggle it up and down. Pull it off gently and it should come off. 

Source: 2carpros YouTube 

Step 3: Take your new converter. Be sure that it matches the specification of your vehicle. Clean off the lines of your transmission with a cloth.

Source: 2carpros YouTube 

Step 4: Take some new transmission fluid in your hand. Rub it around the pipe of the converter. 

Source: 2carpros YouTube 

Step 5: Now, insert the new converter into the transmission. Lift the converter up from the bottom and spin it. This will make it go in all the way. 

Source: 2carpros YouTube 

With that, your new torque converter is in place. Then, just put the whole transmission back in your car and it should work fine. 

What are the Reasons for Transmission Slipping but No Codes? 

If your transmission is slipping, you might have tried scanning it for codes. Sometimes the codes P0720 and P0894 might show up. But, it might also be that no codes are showing up. This simply means that the diagnostic system can’t detect the problem. 

But the problem is surely there. The reasons mentioned above can be some of these problems. Aside from them, these problems can also be included:

Reasons	Solution
Dirty Transmission Filter	Replace the Filter
Faulty Turbine Shaft Sensor TSS	Replace TSS Sensor

Now, let’s discuss them a bit.

Reason 1: Dirty Transmission Filter

Aside from slipping transmission, a dirty transmission filter will also cause grinding gears and shifting issues. When the transmission filter is dirty and clogged, the transmission won’t be lubricated properly. Thus, it will cause these problems. 

Solution: Replace Filter

If the filter is clogged and dirty, just replace it. You should replace your transmission filter every 30,000 miles. When adjusting the transmission band you’ll have to remove the transmission pan and filter. After that, just follow these steps: 

Step 1: Take the new filter and place it where the previous one was. Hand-tighten all the bolts surrounding it. Then, use a socket to tighten them properly.

Step 2: Attach the gasket and transmission pan back on. Again, tighten the bolts using a socket and you’re done. By doing this, your transmission filter kit is replaced.

Reason 2: Faulty TSS Sensor

TSS sensors (Turbine Shaft Sensor) are used to calculate the input shaft speed of your vehicle. If they’re faulty, the PCM (Power Control Module) will face false shift timing issues. Thus, the transmission will slip.. 

Solution: Replace TSS Sensor

Just replace the TSS sensor if it’s faulty. Here, you can watch this video for help:

In most vehicles, a new TSS sensor will cost about $25-$40. If you can’t replace it yourself, contact a mechanic.

Can I Drive With A Slipping Transmission?

No, you should never drive with a slipping transmission whether it;s automatic or manual. It’s really dangerous due to shifting and overheating issues. If you don’t fix the issue fast, it’ll only get worse. Thus, you’ll need more costly transmission repairs.

Here, you should know how long does a new transmission last. Generally, they’re good for about 300000 miles. After that, you might face some issues which need to be fixed. Hence, if your vehicle has over 300000 miles and the gears are slipping, you should avoid driving it and have it checked immediately.

How Much Does It Cost to Fix Slipping Transmission?

Generally, it costs about $300-$1400 to fix a slipping transmission. If you need a new clutch, the cost may be about $800-$1500. On the other hand, if you need a new transmission, you’ll have to pay about $1800-$3400. Although, labor charges can vary depending on the service you choose.

FAQs

Conclusion

Lastly, we hope you know everything about what does sluggish transmission mean. Still, we want you to know one last thing. Driving too fast or harshly might wear out your transmission. Hope you enjoyed reading our article.