Signs That Your Transmission Sensor Is Going Out
by Jen Davis
The newer a vehicle is, the more likely it is to have the majority of its functions controlled by electronic sensors. The transmission on a vehicle has a number of different sensors that affect the way it performs, including the speed sensor and a sensor that monitors the transmission temperature to help prevent overheating. If a vehicle is not shifting properly, it does not necessarily mean that the transmission itself is having a problem, because the problems could be caused by a sensor.
Not Shifting
Transmission sensors tell the vehicle when to shift and whether to shift up or down. If the vehicle is not receiving proper shifting information from the transmission sensor, then it may not shift. A vehicle that seems to be stuck in one gear may have a malfunctioning transmission sensor.
Bad Shifting
A malfunctioning transmission or speed sensor may tell the vehicle to shift at the wrong time, or too late. This can cause hard shifting, or even the sensation that the transmission is slipping. Sensors should always be checked when a vehicle is shifting poorly.
Overheating
Problems with your transmission sensors can lead to the transmission being overworked and not receiving adequate cooling from its cooling system. Sensors that register the wrong temperature information are especially prone to causing transmission overheating. An overheated transmission can burn up and require complete replacement. In many newer vehicles, the sensor is responsible for triggering an error light in the dashboard if the transmission begins to overheat.
References
Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.
