"Automatic Transmission Malfunction" – What Does This Message Mean?

Drivers often get the "Automatic transmission malfunction" message on their screen. At the same time, it is the lit symbol in many other car brands and years, which alerts the driver to the possible malfunction in the car's transmission.

Automatic transmission malfunction highlights

• Level of importance:Medium
• Reasons:Electronic control problems, shifter issues, sensor-related issues
• Needed expertise:High
• Needed tools:Professional tools set
• Time taken:1-8 hours
• Can you drive? Not recommended
• Possible issues: Fatal damage, overheating, torque converter damage, TCU damage.

"Automatic Transmission Malfunction" - What Does This Message Mean?

The automatic transmission malfunction message is usually an exclamation mark inside the gear icon. This will typically light up on your dashboard. 

Your automatic transmission malfunction light depends on the carmaker, year, and model. The gear icon is usually the universal settings icon for the "settings" menu.

In many car brands, it is a thermometer inside the gear icon. In others, you will find an exclamation mark inside this icon to tell you that there is a problem with your transmission system.

There is no reason for this distinction except that different car manufacturers prefer one to the other.

The "automatic transmission malfunction" message means a problem with your automatic transmission. In many cases, it also means a problem with an associated component of the automatic transmission system in your car.

The engine light will often come on when you have a transmission malfunction message. Your vehicle may also enter fail-safe mode when the message comes on.

But overall, the "Automatic transmission malfunction" message means a problem with your transmission or a linked component.

When the lights appear, it would be best to have a technician inspect the vehicle immediately. If you continue to use the vehicle over a prolonged period without fixing the problem, you risk incurring more severe damage to your vehicle.

What Triggers the Automatic Transmission Malfunction Message?

Generally, there are several possible reasons for malfunctions in the automatic transmission system of your vehicle, which may trigger the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" message.

However, some common reasons drivers often get this message on their vehicles.

1) Overheating in the Transmission System

Upon perceiving that the transmission is overheating, some vehicles are designed to turn on the transmission warning light or display the "Automatic transmission malfunction" message. 

The reasoning behind the design is logical. Since overheating in the transmission system is usually caused when something obstructs the transmission cooler, once the car perceives the overheating, the computer will alert you immediately as regards the likely problem with the transmission system. 

At other times, overheating is also caused by more serious problems, such as an internal problem in the transmission system. The vehicle perceives the overheating and sends a message to notify you.

2) Insufficient Transmission Fluid

When you run your car on less than the allowed transmission fluid level, your transmission system is sure to suffer some internal damage. When this happens, your vehicle may begin to operate abnormally.

Modern automatic gearboxes come with multiple sensors which can accurately tell when the fluid level is low, how hot or cold the fluid level is, and the total transmission pressure. When the computers in your car notice abnormal vehicle operation, they may turn on the transmission light or send you the "Automatic transmission malfunction" message. 

It is important to remember that your transmission system does not consume fluid at the same rate your car engine burns engine oil. Hence if your transmission fluid is suspiciously low, you may check for leaks to avoid internal damage to your automatic transmission. 

3) Problems With Related Components

When the "automatic transmission malfunction" message often comes on, the problems may be in a linked component of the car that directly affects the operation of the transmission. 

In some cars, a problem with the shift interlock system, instead of the transmission itself, may also trigger the automatic transmission light. This is quite common with some BMW models.

Problems in the valve body can also lead to receiving the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" alert. 

The valve body works with other related components to help the transmission work properly. It chooses the right clutch pack for whatever gear is selected by conveying hydraulic fluid through several passages.

In the valve body, there are several valves, but they are referred to according to the shifts they are responsible for. So when there is a problem with the valve body, you can expect the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction."

4) Torque Converter Problems

A problem with the torque converter of your vehicle's automatic transmission will also trigger the message.

A large number of modern automatic transmission systems use a torque converter. The torque converter is a fluid coupling mechanism between the engine and the automatic transmission.

However, the converter may begin to develop problems over time. When it begins to develop problems, it may lead to other problems, such as shuddering and slippage. 

Sometimes, a bad torque converter can contaminate your car's automatic transmission with dirt. These are the problems that can trigger the automatic transmission malfunction alert.

5) A Problem with an Internal Part of the Transmission System

Automatic transmissions are complicated assemblies of internal parts such as planetary gear sets, clutch packs, hydraulic pumps, etc.

A problem with any of these internal parts can affect the smooth operation of your vehicle's automatic transmission. When this happens, the computer in your car may notice the abnormal operation of your automatic transmission and trigger the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction."

6) Maintenance Reminder

Sometimes, the wrong readings from the automatic transmission operation may also send the "Automatic transmission malfunction" message. This can happen when you miss scheduled maintenance. 

Some common causes for this reminder to trigger the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" include dirty or clogged filters, a drop in the fluid level, or a need to change the oil level entirely.

When missed, these scheduled maintenance routines can affect the automatic transmission's smooth operation. 

The abnormal operation when sensed by the computer will then trigger the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" message or the check transmission light.

How To Fix the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" Message

Frankly speaking, problems in your vehicle's automatic transmission are not simple car repairs that just anyone can handle. The transmission is made of complex internal parts that work together with other more external complex parts.

It would be best to leave the diagnosis and repairs to a qualified mechanic. Watching videos on YouTube may help understand what the mechanic says is wrong with the car. 

This will usually be revealed after the mechanic checks the problem code registered by your vehicle's computer regarding that problem. 

But unless you are an expert, attempting the repair or correct the malfunction in your automatic transmission is not the best thing to do. It is important for your safety, the safety of other road users, and the avoidance of more expensive repairs to leave the job to qualified mechanics.

However, routine car service and maintenance can limit the chances of problems with your transmission and other parts of your car.

Is It Safe To Drive With the "Automatic Transmission Malfunction" Message?

The transmission is one of the most expensive parts to repair or replace in a car. If you receive the "Automatic transmission Malfunction" message or the check transmission light comes on, it would be best to park the car and send it to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Driving long distances after receiving the warning to check your transmission can cause more severe damage to your gearbox. This will ultimately reduce how long your automatic transmission will last.

Hence, driving around after your vehicle has alerted you to an automatic transmission malfunction is not advisable. 

You may also notice that the gear shift is no longer smooth when you have a transmission malfunction. Many times, when you step on the gas, the engine revs, but the car does not move forward as it should.

Even though these symptoms may not be very serious initially, they often worsen over time. So driving your car when there is an automatic transmission malfunction is not the best. 

You would be endangering your life and that of other road users. You will also be doing more damage to your car. 

Many modern models have a failsafe mode that they can use once the transmission has a problem. When the vehicle enters this mode, there is less tension on the transmission. This helps to prolong the lifespan of your automatic transmission. 

You can put your car in failsafe mode while navigating to the nearest auto shop to diagnose the problem.

Bottom Line

Automatic transmissions differ from manual transmissions. A problem with an automatic transmission system can be dangerous while driving. 

Remember that, unlike the manual transmission, where the driver manually engages the clutch to change the gears, you will lose control of your vehicle when its automatic transmission begins to fail. 

This can pose life-threatening risks, especially while you are driving. So it would be best to have a technician check the vehicle immediately as soon as possible.