How to test an automatic transmission

[Tippey764]

Im just looking for things to check to determine the condition.

My freind found a 1992 dx coupe in bordeaux red and the guy claims it has transmission problems. Im going to go take a look at it to make sure the guy isnt an idiot and i wanted to know what to look for.

This is for an automatic transmission by the way ( incase you didnt read the title )

[Hondapawa]

1: Test drive it.

2: Look for blinking D4 or others in the dash

3: Look for check engines codes. Tho i'm not sure that they're related to the tranny.

4: Make sure it doesn't gives to big ''knocks'' while changing of gear.

5: Check oil color and level. If you could drop the oil, it'd be good to check if there's metal particles in the oil.

[Shag Wagon]

Find a known good tranny computer and stick it in there and see what happens.

[Tippey764]

Alright guys well mind you this is someones car they are trying to sell. I cant be ripping it apart lol. I need a quick clean way to tell if its worth buying or if it will be a disaster.

Can a transmission be going bad without a blinking D4 light?

[Bullhorn7]

Alright guys well mind you this is someones car they are trying to sell. I cant be ripping it apart lol. I need a quick clean way to tell if its worth buying or if it will be a disaster.

Can a transmission be going bad without a blinking D4 light?

Yes.

[Tippey764]

Yes.

Well what are some symptoms of a bad automatic transmission that can be felt while driving.

[cvc7chris]

reallly bad jerking or slipping, after you've checked the ATF level and color to make sure it's in it's required level and make sure the fluid is not burnt or realllly old

[Tippey764]

slipping

Im really lost when people say " slipping " with an automatic. What exactly is slipping and what does it feel like to drive a car with a slipping automatic transmission. Sorry about my ignorance to automatics lol.

[King James]

The guy says theres transmission problems.....so you know going theres problems....driving it is pretty much the only way youll be able to really tell the issues.

Just ask the seller everything hes experienced....if he says in the ad theres tranny problems its likely hell be honest.

You will be able to tell a healthy transmission vs. a dying one when you drive it pretty easily

[WilliamW]

Im really lost when people say " slipping " with an automatic. What exactly is slipping and what does it feel like to drive a car with a slipping automatic transmission. Sorry about my ignorance to automatics lol.

It's just like a slipping clutch in a manual transmission. You'll feel and hear the revs go up but you won't accelerate. I had a geo metro auto transmission make R2D2 star wars noises before. Auto transmissions are fun. lol

You should be ok if it feels good, drive it regularly, then drive it hard once or twice. See how it shifts. My old auto transmission shifted very quickly and worked great even on an abused 270XXX mile engine with blown rings.

[bcjammerx]

check the fluid. If it's anything but cherry red it needs to be changed.

if it's purple it's pretty old.

if it's like grape juice it's REALLY old

if it's black avoid it like the plague

[Losiracer2]

check the shift quality. You'll feel it if the shifts are bad. When my auto was failing, the shifts were HARSH, i mean like it shook the people inside the car harsh lol.

Also when driving on the highway, check to see if the torque converter locks up properly like it should. When you first accel to speed, it should lower by like 300 RPM when you stop accelerating and stay at a constant speed.

Also check the fluid condition, should be a reddish pink color and shouldn't smell "burnt"

drive it in stop/go traffic and drive it fast and slow to get a judge on how it performs, ie floor it and see if it shifts cleanly/crisply at high RPMs and then also just drive it normal and see if there's any delay or hanging when shifting.

make sure 1 2 D3 D4 N R P all work. go in each gear and drive.