Possible Transmission Problem

[Duckie]

So we're getting ready to leave this morning and my husband starts the car, releases the brake and puts it into reverse. The car won't move (we have an automatic transmission). So, he puts it back into park and applies the parking brake again. This time when he releases the brake and puts it into reverse, we hear a popping sound. At first the car was slow to engage but finally did; however, we can hear a grinding sound when we slow/stop for the first few minutes. After driving for a bit, the noises stop.

Sounds like the transmission to me. Opinions? If we take it to a shop, anyone have a reliable transmission place they want to recommend?

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Need to know the make / model / year / how many miles / when (if ever) your last trans service was done for your ride + where you're located.

 

[Duckie]

Hmm...I guess that information would be helpful!

I have a 2005 Toyota Corolla with about 35,000 miles. I've never had transmission problems before but I do take it in for regular oil changes, the last one being in December. I'm located in Austin. Thanks!

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

Paging AccurateHorn... paging Mr. AccurateHorn. You have a call waiting for you on the Burnt Orange phone in concourse B.

 

[accuratehorn]

Checked my shop information system for TSB's on the transmission, and there is one, but for a "harsh shift" which doesn't sound like what you experiened this morning.
It sounds like a problem with the shifter itself-most have a cable that moves a level on the transmission to shift the gear positions. It may be sticking or need adjustment or replacement-just a guess.
Your car is probably still under warranty, so you could take it in for them to check the problem, even if it is no longer doing it-that way if it fails soon after the warranty expires (probably 36,000 miles?) they might go ahead and fix it under the factory warranty.
Or if it doesn't happen again, you could ignore it-maybe the shifter wasn't in the correct place for shifting the gears for some reason-you had it half way between neutral and reverse, because you hadn't drank your coffee yet, or some such thing.
I doubt the transmission would be failing internally at such a low mileage, but anything is possible.
Don't know about the grinding sound-sounds more like brakes than transmission-they could need replacing at that mileage if you drive a lot around town.

 

[brntorng]

Should still be under warranty. Take it to a Toyota dealer.

 

[Duckie]

Thanks for the info! Unfortunately, our warranty just expired (it was a 3 year/36K type and we just hit 3 years in December). Naturally, we would have to experience something like this just after the warranty expired.

I know that grinding sounds when slowing/stopping usually indicates brake problems, but we first experienced the sound when trying to move forward after backing out of our space--it sounded kind of like we had a flat tire, but the tires were good. He also mentioned that the car had a little less "go" on one the turns he was making this morning.

 

[accuratehorn]

Well, I do have a shop in north Austin-if it happens again, we can check it out-PM me for info.

 

[spidey69]

I didn't see it, but please check your fluid level right away. (There is a procedure for this usually involving, warm engine, shifting through the range, put tranny in Neutral and parking brake on, check level)

I have seen some problems go away once a low fluid level gets a tad warm.

If low, add.

Also, Change transmission fluid/filter and inspect for damage ASAP . Go with someone you know or trust because many shops will sell you more than you need or deceive you entirely.

 

[accuratehorn]

Yes, the place to start would be checking for low fluid level. It shouldn't be low, and I don't think the owner's manual recommends changing the fluid this soon-but it is a good idea to change it every two years to keep it clean. If the filter is removed, the shop can see if metal particles are everywhere, not a good sign.

 

[Duckie]

Thanks for the info! I drove it yesterday afternoon and I don't know if I was overthinking it, but it didn't feel quite normal. I had no problems, but there was still something a little off, if you ask me. However, we drove to work this morning with no problems.

Don't know if this would make a difference, but we hadn't driven the car since Sunday afternoon and it has been pretty cold. We'll most likely take it in for a check-up tomorrow. Hopefully it's nothing major.

 

[flaco]

I have a bad experience with Monarch Transmission shop so I wouldn't take it there. My truck is in their shop for the third time for a rebuild they still haven't gotten right.