when its cold outside and when my car is cold, it seems that the transmission is slipping, what could be wrong

Question

I have an automatic and when I hit the gas while in drive, it revs up and it doesn’t quite go into gear quickly.
power seems to be lost. but after driving to work on the freeway and after the car warms up. the problem goes away.

But today after driving home from work, when I let off the gas, the power let loose with a jerk. and after driving some more, the power cut out for a second a few times.

Is it the timing or the transmission.

By the way, its an old car and it has a knocking sound ever since I bought it this last August.
The continues knocking seems to be in the crank shaft, cylinder, or from near the engine block, the knocking goes rapid when the RPM’s speed up and goes slower when the RPM’s go slower.

Answer 1

Your transmission has (mourning sickness)The seals are hardened and the fluid probably needs a good flush.Your probably just looking for a quick fix and here it is.Pick -up some trans-medic trans x at the parts store and use that for now.It should make it work better but not completely. At least you wont have to sit there for 5 minutes every mourning waiting for it to kick in to gear.If this don't help your out 5 bucks but its the easiest quick fix to try.It worked on an old ford truck and the same advice was given then.

Answer 2

Don't just get a flush. What is happening is the cold weather has thickened the fluid. This is normal but if you have a restricted transmission pan filter the thickening will make it harder for the fluid to pass through the dirty filter. When it's warm out the fluid passes easier. Getting a flush may help but only if the filter is changed too.
When they do a transmission flush they are doing it through a bad filter. and they aren't gonna change it during the flush. And don't believe the mechanic if they say it will back flush the filter. I've heard mechanics try to convince people of this because they make money faster with the flush. Where if they did the pan service they might get dirty and make a mess. And it won't pay the mechanic crap if they get paid by commision only. They want the fastest, easiest, better paying service.. The flush should only be done if they are gonna do a pan service afterward. This way they don't flush the old fluid through a new filter either

Answer 3

The transmission may be a combination of low fluid and cold weather. You should try putting a transmission conditioner in the fluid. When it is cold out the seals in the valves of your transmission shrink up and hold tighter causing it make the transmission work harder to shift gears. The conditioner will help soften the seals up and allow the transmission to shift more smoothly. As for the knocking noise thats probably just lifters if it is an older vehicle they can actually be adjusted but unless it gets real loud there is no reason to worry. Just make sure to keep the oil level full. Hope that helps. Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

there really is not enough info about this car, but I will try my best.
what kind of car is it? engine? how many miles?
what do you mean about "power"?
cars have to warm up a bit on cold days. the tranny fluid is more viscous when it is cold, which can create slower shifts and harder shifts. The fluid might need to be changed. maybe the linkage is a little loose or something. it really is hard to tell without knowing the car man. but good luck. don't worry about the ticking until the engine blows up if it is already been there for awhile, keep the oil changed and let it be. some cars just knock. can't tell you iif yours does because, again, not anyinfo on that. good luck.

Answer 5

well, it could be that your trans fluid is old and thick. that would cause it to not work as well when the trans is cold. it also could be that your car needs a few seconds to warm up in the cold weather. Or, it could be that your trans is on it's way to the great little cemetary of life. To test the fluid theory, just go to the nearest quicklube and ask them to have the trans fluid flushed. they should be able to give you an oil change and trans flush for under 100+tax. The knocking sound does sound either like a lifter or a bad engine. best bet is just to buy another car, if you can't see putting 2-3 grand in this one.

Answer 6

i own a repair shop,and it sounds like to me that its got a hesitation point in the transmission ,i got a truck that did that when i first got it,,i changed the fluid and filter in it and it fixed the problem with it,,but i left the pan off over night so all the old fluid and dirt would drop out of it,,and its been fine ever since them,,id try that ,its the cheapest thing you can do to it right now,,it might do like mine did,,i thought mine was gone ,and it helped it,you don't have nothing but time,and a small amount of money to loose on this deal,,good luck with it,i hope this help,s.

Answer 7

the knocking is aether a connecting rod or lifter, but for the trans I'm not sure maby its low on atf or maby the filter needs replacing or maby it just works hard when its cold out, most things do