Gearbox automatic do-it-yourself repair

In detail: checkpoint automatic do-it-yourself repair from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Automatic transmission repair - the process is complex and expensive. This problem is not faced by those who give their car to a service center. If you decide to produce DIY automatic transmission repair, and you need advice and recommendations from those who have already successfully passed this stage, then you have come to the right address.

Our site contains all the information about automatic transmission. You will find here articles on maintenance and repair of automatic transmissions, oil change, operating manuals, step-by-step descriptions of how and what you can do with your own hands with different repair options and scheduled automatic transmission service.

Chapter "Define automatic transmission”Will help you understand which modification of the automatic transmission is installed in the car. You can download the required repair manual for automatic transmission, with diagrams and instructions that will help you repair the automatic box with your own hands, without resorting to the expensive help of car service specialists.

Seven times measure cut once. The same principle, only in a slightly reformulated version, is suitable for self-repair of automatic transmission. It is better to search the entire Internet, go through forums and information sites, read a few detailed manuals, and only then proceed with the repair.

To keep the time spent on collecting information to a minimum, we have created this site. Here you can find everything that can be useful, and even a little more.

You can always contact us for support and advice, and get advice from professional repairmen of automatic transmissions, for this go to the page Contacts... If you need high-quality and inexpensive automatic transmission repair in Moscow - we will be happy to help.

Video (click to play).

Do-it-yourself automatic transmission repair is a rather laborious business, requiring certain knowledge and skills. Therefore, not every car owner is ready to take on such work in a garage. You can find out more about the faults of the automatic transmission and recommendations for its repair from this article, photos and videos are provided below.

As practice shows, still more car owners carry out gearbox repairs on their own, if they use "mechanics". However, although driving with automatic transmissions is more convenient and comfortable, motorists still fear that when breakdowns appear, it will be quite difficult to resolve the issue on their own. Of course, without the necessary equipment and at least some skills, it will be impossible to do this.

Image - Gearbox automatic do-it-yourself repair

It looks like an automatic transmission disassembled

Before proceeding with the repair, you need to understand whether your gearbox is really out of order or not? Symptoms of malfunctions that you will feel when driving will help you determine this.

You can find out more about the symptoms of breakdowns below:

If at least one of these problems has been identified, it is recommended that a thorough diagnosis of the unit be carried out immediately. If you have the appropriate equipment and experience in carrying out diagnostics, then you can also carry out this procedure in a garage. But keep in mind that at a specialized service station they will definitely tell you the cause of the breakdown, and you can do the repairs at home.

The device of the automatic transmission is quite complex, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to identify the problem on your own.

First of all, you need to find a place where you will repair and dismantle the automatic gearbox. This can be a flyover or a lift. If you do not have either one or the other, then you can drive into the garage with a pit, but it will be less convenient.You will also need a dedicated gearbox jack and at least one assistant. Please note that the automatic transmission is usually quite heavy and it will be problematic to lift it yourself. Also, prepare a set of wrenches in advance.

When you have already prepared for dismantling, you need to disconnect all the pipes and wires that lead the machine to the box. Do everything as shown in the video. Also note that it is not at all necessary to drain the transmission fluid from the box. Before proceeding with the removal of the unit, you need to unscrew all the screws that secure the torque converter and the flywheel membrane of the motor using wrenches.

Having done this, you can dismantle the box. Do this carefully so as not to damage the internal components of the machine.

When the dismantling has already been carried out, you can assess the complexity of the breakdown and your strength. We recommend that you seek help at the service station, since in the absence of certain knowledge it will be difficult to carry out such work.

As you already understood, the repair of the automatic gearbox is a rather complicated matter and it will be rather problematic to carry it out on your own. Automatic transmission repair implies it, if not complete, then partial analysis, during which all failed components are replaced with new, working ones. The disassembly of the unit is carried out in accordance with the instructions for each individual car model. You can find some instructions on this process on our resource.

However, if you seek help from a specialized car service, you can also experience certain benefits for yourself.

Of course, if only qualified specialists work at the service station:

But you also need to take into account the fact that the very quality of repair work depends not only on whether you turned to a service station or not. A properly selected car service is perhaps the most important thing in this matter. Since the repair of the automatic gearbox is a rather complicated procedure, not all masters undertake such work.

Therefore, you should also take into account the disadvantages that you may encounter if you give your car for repair at a service station:

  1. Unscrupulous specialists can tell the owner that the problem lies in a clogged filter element. Of course, often the filter really turns out to be clogged and it will not hurt to change it. But this does not mean that the problem really lies in him, and not in other nodes.
  2. Another example of the fact that at the service station you can be deceived. If a specialist undertook repairs without diagnosing the vehicle and calling in advance a too low price for repairs, this should alert you. As a result, it will most likely turn out that the malfunction lies deeper, and in fact the price for repairing the automatic transmission box will be higher than you learned earlier.

The installation of the unit takes place in the case when it has been completely repaired.

  1. When installing the unit in place, it is necessary to check the diaphragm for end impacts. In the event that the membrane beats (and it is checked using an indicator head). After that, it is necessary to clean all surfaces of the automatic box, as well as the radiator and the line.
  2. As for the radiator, it is flushed until the fuel is the cleanest. Then, about one liter of oil is poured into the torque converter, and the unit itself is placed on the input shaft. Then the motor must be docked with the gearbox along the centering screws so that the crankcases are tightly adjacent.
  3. The next thing to check is the presence of gaps along the plane of the box. Tighten all screws and check this parameter. After these steps, it is necessary to connect all the lines, and also check the state of the docking.
  4. The last stage in the installation work is the addition of fluid to the system. On average, the automatic transmission contains at least 6 liters.Having done this, check the performance of the unit when the motor is running at reduced speeds.

All actions for removing and installing the unit are not easy and responsible, which means that there is no need to rush anywhere. If you are doing this process for the first time, then we will advise you to write down all your actions so as not to be mistaken with the editing.

  1. Eliminate slippage. The automatic transmission must be operated without slipping, otherwise it significantly reduces the resource of its operation. This is especially true for those who like to drift on the ice. Regardless of the road surface, the possibility of slipping is excluded.
  2. If this is your first time using a machine, then keep in mind that the neutral speed on it just does not turn on. Neutral mode is activated only when the car is parked without the engine turned on, in other cases it cannot be turned on.
  3. Automatic transmission vehicles cannot tow other vehicles. The same goes for trailers. Installing a trailer or other vehicle on a tug will negatively affect the service life of the vehicle as a whole.
  4. The automatic transmission never starts from the "pusher". Over time, this can lead to complete failure of the unit. The same applies to towing a car - if for some reason you cannot start, then your only way out in order to get to the service station will be to call a tow truck. If the box suddenly began to work in emergency mode, but it somehow works, then you need to go to the nearest service station. We strongly advise against driving more than 5 kilometers on an incorrectly operating checkpoint.

An example of repairing an automatic transmission on a Volkswagen car is presented in the video.

An automatic transmission is an expensive component. There is no point in delaying the repair if it starts to work incorrectly. In a car service, such repairs are expensive. You have to pay for the work of specialists and for the details. Having studied the market and the price range of services in this segment, motorists come to the conclusion that repairing automatic transmissions with their own hands is not such a pointless undertaking. The prices of the workshop masters cannot be called modest, and the professionalism does not always correspond to the price. And, after some thought, motorists can decide to fix the problem on their own.

Wherever you decide to repair the gearbox, the whole process goes according to the following scheme:

  • diagnostics,
  • dismantling the box,
  • disassembly of the box,
  • complete set with spare parts,
  • assembly (installation),
  • installation on a car,
  • diagnostics after repair.

To fix the problem yourself, you will need some car mechanic skills, tools, time to work, patience, and perseverance.

All automatic transmissions are arranged the same, but there are two types of transmission control - hydraulic and electronic. Their renovation has some differences.

It is important to notice transmission problems at the earliest possible stage. Then, with the correct diagnosis, complex repairs can be avoided. Quiet and smooth operation of the automatic transmission is considered normal. There are a lot of signs that something is wrong with the box. Most often these are extraneous sounds when changing gears or during robotic transmission. It can be crunching, clicks. An unpleasant smell also speaks of problems. It can appear during long-term or short-term operation of the box. It is worse if the gear shifting slows down, or one of them does not work at all. Then immediate intervention is required.

Do not be lazy to look under the car, it should be clean there. Red spots will indicate an oil leak from the transmission. Checking the oil level regularly is a must. Normally, it should be translucent, reddish in color. No burning smells or muddy shades! If they appear, it's time to change the oil.

Automatic transmission malfunctions often arise due to improper operation. The transmission becomes unusable due to insufficient oil level or overheating. For this reason, the gears wear out, the machine can jerk when changing gears. As a result, any part of the automatic transmission may fail. Shocks while driving indicate overheating of the oil and the appearance of problems in the valve body.

Aggressive driving with hard acceleration and braking will erase details. Does not add durability to the box and driving in traffic jams, slipping. All this leads to overheating of the box and has a bad effect on its general condition.

All faults are divided into two subgroups. They can occur in

  • electronic control system,
  • mechanical and hydraulic parts of the gearbox.

If a malfunction occurs, the automatic transmission goes into emergency mode, that is, it goes to third speed and does not switch. The corresponding icon appears on the display.

If problems have arisen with the electronics, then it will not be possible to fix them by repairing the automatic transmission. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature of the faults.

In diagnostics, the main thing is to collect the necessary information and interpret it correctly. Therefore, it is better to consult a specialist. Determine what the problem is at the service station, and take care of the repair yourself. Without proper experience and equipment, you will spend a lot of time on diagnostics. There are mechanical and computer diagnostics.

General scheme of diagnostic procedures:

  • check the oil,
  • check the operation of the engine at idle speed, the connection points of the wiring and cables,
  • determine the error codes of the operation of the control units (CU) of the gearbox and engine,
  • check the box on a car without movement,
  • check the automatic transmission in motion,
  • check the pressure inside the control system.

If the cause of the malfunctions is electronics problems, then most likely you will not need to dismantle and disassemble the automatic transmission. Diagnostics of malfunctions in this system is carried out by the control unit. It monitors the sensor signals, the transmission ratio and the resistance of the output circuits. Malfunctions of such parts and assemblies may occur:

  • input sensors,
  • electronic control unit,
  • executive devices of the control system,
  • violation of the integrity of the electrical wiring connections.

The transmission computer receives signals from various sensors. If some parameters are out of order, it writes the code of this problem (DTC) into memory. You can decrypt such numbers using a special scanner.

These are the main problems of the automatic transmission itself. They are conventionally divided into three subgroups:

  1. Damage to friction groups, bushings and housings, calipers, planetary gear sets, pump and other mechanics.
  2. Defective transformer. This includes:
    • breaks in the splines of the wires,
    • mechanical destruction of the blades,
    • overrunning clutch,
    • wear of the main blocking clutch,
    • depressurization of the piston oil seal.
    • Problems with the mechanics of the hydraulic plate.

If the diagnostics were successful and you cannot do without dismantling, then we proceed to this stage of the automatic transmission repair.

You will need a special lift, or at least a viewing hole. As well as a transmission jack and a set of keys. It is better to perform this procedure in a specially equipped garage or box. It will not be superfluous to invite several physically strong guys to help you move the removed box. Its weight is beyond the strength of even a very strong person. Further action plan:

  1. disconnect all communication tubes and cables;
  2. unscrew the torque converter mounting bolts, as well as the motor flywheel membranes;
  3. remove and move the gearbox;
  4. assess the scale of the breakdown and start repairing.

Image - Gearbox automatic do-it-yourself repair

Image - Gearbox automatic do-it-yourself repair Image - Gearbox automatic do-it-yourself repair

Before removing the gearbox, the oil does not need to be drained from it.However, then do not forget to substitute the container in the place where the oil supply pipes are attached when you disconnect them - otherwise you will get an ugly puddle under your feet.

All actions must be careful. Sudden movements can damage the splines on the input shaft of the diaphragm.

It is better to do automatic transmission repair with your own hands, having it at hand proprietary manual and a printed diagram of the gearbox. First you need to inspect all the systems that serve the gearbox, mounts and blocks. Then we proceed to the repair. For this:

  1. We disassemble the gearbox, wash and dry the parts and check them for defects.
  2. We change all gaskets, seals, as well as worn out parts.
  3. Remove the inhibitor block and sump. We clean out the dirt inside. It looks like metal magnetic shavings.
  4. We remove the wiring of the ring from the plug and push them inside the plug.
  5. Remove the valve body, loosen the brake band bolts. We wash the valve body.
  6. We check the clutches, gears and planetary gears for wear. We will replace it if there is such a need. All internal rubber bands must be changed!
  7. We open the oil pump. We check all the details, especially the filter. We change what has already served its term. We use the manual so as not to swap parts.
  8. We take out the valves and springs. We wash the valves. Their sticking can be the reason for incorrect operation of the automatic transmission. Replace the accumulator springs if they are broken.
  9. Putting everything back into place. It is important not to confuse anything!
  10. We replace rings and friction bolts.
  11. We check the gear shift assembly and the large piston and put the oil pump in place.

Assembly takes place upside-down.

There are some points that it is advisable to take into account when repairing. Often a transmission problem is related to the filter. It will not be possible to change it without removing the valve body. And when it is removed, the gasket breaks. To replace it, you will need to disassemble the valve body completely. The same applies to the accumulator spring from first to second gear. A special stopper does not allow you to remove it without disassembling the valve body. All valve body gaskets are very similar, do not mix them up. Assembling the valve body, we tighten it with a torque wrench. It is important not to overtighten here.

If all the breakdowns are eliminated, we install the automatic transmission. The moment is responsible, haste is inappropriate here. During these works, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

  • When installing the automatic transmission in its place, the diaphragm is checked for end runout using an indicator head. If such a defect occurs, then it must be replaced.
  • The radiator is flushed until the gasoline is clean. Then a liter of transmission oil is poured into the gas turbine engine and put on the input shaft. You need to achieve a secure connection and a complete fit. Then you need to dock the engine with the box along the guide centering pins. The crankcases must abut completely.
  • Tightening the bolts in the box is the next step. After that, the absence of gaps along the entire plane is checked. After connecting all the lines, the correctness of the connections is checked.
  • At the final stage, oil is poured and the operation of the automatic transmission is checked at low engine speeds.

Beginning the installation of the box, be sure to check for the presence of centering pins on the crankcase flange - there should be two of them. If at least one is missing, the automatic transmission cannot be attached.

Automatic transmission repair and diagnostics do it yourself - not an easy but feasible task. Choosing a car with an automatic transmission, novice motorists believe that repairing it at home is impossible. This is not true. But before deciding to carry out such important work at home, you need to weigh all your possibilities. Then you will not be in for unpleasant surprises during the renovation.

The automatic transmission remains popular with many new car owners. All thanks to its functionality.In particular, it makes the trip easier, allows you to concentrate more on the road. DSG boxes were also widespread. DSG is a robotic gearbox with two clutches. Here the gears are switched by automatic equipment.

Despite the listed advantages of the automatic transmission, this transmission option should be periodically diagnosed in order to promptly eliminate or prevent existing faults.

In order not to cause additional damage to the car system, it is advisable to trust the professionals. Specialized service provides guarantees for all types of work performed. Here mechanics check the condition of the friction plate pack, the torque converter, and the oil pump. If necessary, they will replace deformed gears, shafts, hydraulic plates.

During the repair or diagnostics of the automatic transmission, it is worth checking the integrity of the gaskets. As a rule, when they are deformed, oil smudges may appear.

The owner of the car may encounter the first breakdowns in this system after 150,000 km. However, aggressive driving, frequent slipping leads to premature erasure of parts in the high-speed box.

Do-it-yourself automatic transmission repair is quite possible by the car owner. However, this requires the necessary skills in this area. To repair the box, a do-it-yourself machine is needed:

  • a set of wrenches, spanners;
  • flange puller, output shaft;
  • rubber seals;
  • new oil filter.

It should be noted that a timely replacement filter will extend the life of the checkpoint, minimize the risk of the need for major repairs.