It’s a very unsettling feeling when you’re transmission jerks. Gear changes are supposed to be smooth and seamless. You’re not supposed to notice them. But if your transmission jerks when shifting to drive or accelerating, you’re certainly going to take notice. So let’s have a look at what might be causing one of the most common transmission problems, and see what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Transmission fluid
Automatic transmission fluid or, ATF for short, is certainly the life blood of your transmission. It’s designed to remove the heat from all those moving parts, while simultaneously providing lubrication and the pressure needed to move the different gears and clutch packs. Given the importance of this reddish colored fluid, low transmission fluid will certainly cause transmission jerks to happen. Using the wrong type of transmission fluid (each has a unique set of chemical additives that is designed to work with the specific metals and seals inside of a gearbox) will also cause transmission jerking.
So if your transmission jerks, pull over and check your transmission fluid level right away.
Clogged transmission filter
Just like your engine, the automatic transmission also has a filter to remove contaminants from the transmission fluid. It has to be changed every time you have the transmission serviced. But of course, you actually have to have the transmission serviced every once in a while in order to change the transmission filter. If it becomes clogged, it will restrict the hydraulic pressure inside the transmission, which will lead to jerking when you shift into drive or accelerate. So get your transmission serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommended intervals, and you can probably avoid those nasty transmission jerks.
Valve body problems
A transmission valve body is responsible for everything from shift timing to maintaining hydraulic pressure. There are many components within this extremely complex transmission part. If your transmission jerks, there are many things inside of the valve body that could be causing it. For example, the pressure regulator valve could have gone bad and be allowing too much line pressure during a shift, which would cause the jerking sensation. There could also be a bad solenoid that is causing an unusually rough shift. The valve body is a very complicated part, and should the problem be traced to it, your best bet is to spend a few extra bucks and get a remanufactured valve body, which will come with a generous warranty to protect your wallet from future problems. To learn more about getting a remanufactured valve body from Street Smart Transmission, click here.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Torque converter
A vehicles torque converter is responsible for translating the rotational power of the engine into hydraulic pressure that the transmission can used to engage and shift gears. If something like the torque converter clutch, bearings or pump have started to go bad, then you will get those transmission jerks when shifting into drive or accelerating. The torque converter is a very vital part of your transmission, and if it is having issues, then the rest of your transmission will too.
