And my transmission makes a clunking noise when it goes into overdrive. It’s quite loud. After we drive a while it will quit. Why does it do that?
Some possibilities
- transmission fluid low, top off
- trans fluid contaminated or past useful life, replace
- transmission failing, rebuild or replace
- solenoid failing
Ask around at the local repair shops which is the best independent transmission shop in town, which one the mechanics use for their cars, then get an assessment there. My guess, they’ll find low fluid pressure & recommend a complete rebuild. If so, you might take a chance on just replacing the fluid (& filter if easily done), might work for a while anyway. New fluid contains fresh seal conditioning chemicals, and failing internal transmission seals is common cause of low fluid pressure. Note: This isn’t something a diy’er can Mickey Mouse their way to a solution generally, requires a transmission expert.
Most likely lack of proper maintenance.
Engaging overdrive is just a clutch in the transmission’s torque converter engaging. There’s no maintenance involved in that, and I can’t imagine a fluid problem causing it. I’d expect it to be something broken inside the converter. I’d also expect it to engage harshly if it makes a lot of noise while doing it.
Assuming it’s an overdrive clutch problem it’ll require removing the transmission and replacing the torque converter.
what quits? The clunking? or the transmission?