Posted February 28, 2014 by Ken Kupchik
Image from Flickr
I drove my Toyota Camry out of my driveway and made it less than 5 feet before I heard a loud thud followed by a scraping noise. I tried putting my car in reverse and then back into drive but it wouldn't budge an inch. Every time I gave it a little gas it sounded like a wild boar celebrating a fresh kill. I put my car in park and got out to take a look. There were literally pieces of my car laying on the ground, my transmission had exploded.
Let me provide a little backstory here. The car was a Toyota Camry with 332,000 miles on it, so it wasn't exactly a surprise. I knew it wasn't going to last much longer and I had made the decision that I would drive it until the next major necessary repair. I think we can agree that a transmission that exploded like a hot dog in a microwave would fall under the "major repair" category. I won't be repairing the car since the cost of a new transmission or a transmission repair can run well into the thousands of dollar and this exceeds the cost of the vehicle but let's explore transmissions for a moment and find out what makes them so complicated and expensive to fix.
What is a transmission and what does it do?
To put it as simply as possible: a transmission switches gears in your car allowing your engine to operate within a reasonable range of speed while providing a wide range of output.
Without a transmission, your car would only operate in one gear, and if you've ever driven a car with a manual stick shift, you know that one gear is only acceptable at a certain speed. Your transmission is like an interpreter, translating your use of your gas pedal to the engine so that it can react appropriately.
Alfred Horner Munro is credited with inventing the first automatic transmission in 1921. Thanks Al!
Why is it so difficult to repair a transmission?
Pictured above is an example of what a modern automatic transmission might look like. Take a long look at. If it makes you feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed, you're not the only one. In fact, transmissions are so complicated and highly-engineered these days that many expert mechanics won't work on them, and will instead refer you to a specialist. Automatic transmissions even include a part called a planetary gearset, which makes it sound like you literally need to be a rocket scientist to work on them.
Another major reason for the complexity of repairs is that a computer runs the transmission, and in order to perform properly, all of the parts that you see above have to be calibrated precisely. Not only does a transmission mechanic need to be trained in the intricacies of the physical parts, they also need to understand how to use computer systems to diagnose and calibrate everything properly. This can mean that a mechanic who is otherwise competent in general repair won't go near a transmission repair. In a few cases, it can also mean an unqualified mechanic taking on a complex transmission job and not being able to properly fix it, or even making it worse.
Here are the major components of an automatic transmission:
If you're experiencing transmission problems, it's important to find a qualified and trustworthy specialist to diagnose and work on your car. If you work with a mechanic on a regular basis, ask them to refer you to someone they trust but make sure you ask them if they can perform the repairs themselves first, otherwise the situation could get awkward quickly. Use Mechanic Advisor to find a specialist in your area and check customer reviews.
Another thing to keep in mind; many states have licensing requirements in order to work on transmissions. This can be a good thing since it will ensure that anyone doing business as a transmission specialist will have the necessary training. In most states, he or she must also be a licensed auto mechanic, with additional certifications for transmission repair.
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