Check Engine Light After Transmission Fluid Change: Key Causes & Fixes
From transmission fluid change to check engine light: If this is what you’re experiencing right now, this guide contains helpful information on how to deal with the issue.
Check engine light after transmission fluid change is usually caused by a malfunctioning transmission solenoid or sensor. Having the error codes read will help in finding the root cause of the problem and clear out the light.
This guide shares more insights into this issue of the check engine light popping on after transmission fluid change. We have focused on the key causes of this issue and possible ways to solve it.
What causes Check engine light after transmission fluid change?
Under perfect conditions, a transmission fluid change shouldn’t cause any check engine light (CEL) to come on. But if it does, then the most likely place to look into is a bad transmission solenoid. It could be unplugged or you may have accidentally compromised or broken it.
Why would a solenoid cause the CEL? You may ask…When you have your transmission fluid filled up correctly, it’s the work of this solenoid to regulate its flow throughout the system. It directs the fluid flow to the right components to perform the transmission function.
A bad solenoid means problems with how the fluid gets distributed within the transmission and to various transmission components.
Another potential cause for the CEL is that you may also have knocked off another component during the tranny fluid change. You also want to look for other possible issues like a loose gas cap, leaking transmission fluid, or a bad sensor as they could have caused the light to come on.
Or sometimes it may be just a coincidence that the light pop on after tranny fluid change, and the two are completely unrelated.
The ONLY way to be 100% sure what’s causing the check engine light is to pull the error codes and look up what issues they present. You can pull out the codes on your own if you have an OBD scanner or you can have a local auto repair shop pull them out for you for free.
Some car owners also try to clear the error codes to see if the CEL goes away. If you go this path, you want to ensure you have the codes noted down somewhere just in case the light comes back on so they can help determine what the issue is.
Can a dirty transmission filter cause check engine light?
Yes, a dirty or clogged transmission filter can cause the check engine light to come on. To understand this, you first need to know what the filter does.
As its name suggests, a transmission filter helps keep out impurities in your transmission fluid. The fluid is responsible for lubricating and cooling various parts of the transmission system.
Over time, it can get contaminated with dirt and debris which can translate to transmission problems which will then offset the check engine light.
If the filter gets clogged, it will restrict the transmission fluid flow, causing the transmission to hesitate to slip, and triggering the CEL.
Will check engine light come on from bad transmission fluid?
If your car has deteriorated transmission fluid, you don’t expect your computer to detect the bad fluid and offset a check engine light.
However, the issues caused by the bad transmission fluid will definitely activate the CEL. These issues include failure of the solenoid-operated valves and overheating due to clutch slippage—these will throw trouble codes that cause the CEL to show up.
Note that at this point, changing the tranny fluid will be too late and won’t offer much help as the damage has already been done.
Is it OK to slightly overfill transmission fluid?
In severe cases, the car transmission system can fail completely and you’ll need to buy a new one.
NO. It’s not okay to overfill your transmission fluid. If you do, you risk creating problems with your car transmission. To be specific, your car transmission will start experiencing hard shifting and even slippage.
Overfilling will also make the trans fluid lose its lubricating properties. This can make the entire system blow off and stop functioning. This will cost you a lot in terms of repairs.
The extra tranny fluid may even create a trouble code and activate the check engine light as well as the limp mode for your car—it’s that serious!
The best thing is to check your car transmission fluid regularly and top it off as necessary—but don’t overfill it. This will ensure your car transmission system stays in good working condition
Will check engine light come on for transmission issues?
Yes, transmission problems will cause the check engine light to come on. Your car’s main computer is always in communication with the system sensors to ensure everything is running smoothly.
If the transmission sensors report any issues with the transmission, the computer will activate the check engine light.
You should then go ahead and take your car to the dealership or reputable auto mechanic shop. They’ll use the necessary tools to get the error codes causing the CEL to illuminate.
These codes will help enable them to get to the bottom of the problem your car is experiencing and fix it so that the light will clear up.
If you’re experiencing a check engine light after changing your transmission fluid, there could be several reasons behind it. One possible cause is an issue with the transmission system itself, which can trigger the check engine light to come on after the fluid has been changed. However, if you have already checked the transmission and the light is still on, you may want to consider other causes, such as issues with the spark plugs or battery. Our articles on troubleshooting check engine light issues can provide valuable insights into the problem. For example, if you experience a check engine light after changing your spark plugs, our article on after spark plug change may be helpful. This article covers common causes and solutions for check engine light issues that arise after changing your spark plugs. Similarly, if you’re experiencing a check engine light after changing your battery, you may want to read our article on after battery change. This article discusses potential causes and solutions for check engine light issues that arise after changing your battery. Take a look at these articles for expert advice on diagnosing and fixing check engine light issues.
FAQs:
1. Why is my check engine light on after changing transmission fluid?
Check engine light should NOT come on after changing transmission fluid. If it does, then you must have an issue with your car, whether it’s a bad transmission solenoid or you knocked off something when changing the fluid. It is advisable to get the trouble codes causing the CEL to help uncover what problem your car has.
2. Will check engine light come on for low transmission fluid?
Yes, low transmission fluid levels will cause the check engine light to come on. If various transmission parts don’t get adequately lubricated, transmission issues will arise and this will trigger the check engine light to tell you to top off the transmission fluid before damages can occur to the transmission system.
Final Verdict
If you’re dealing with check engine light after changing transmission fluid, the first place to check is the transmission solenoid. You may have unplugged or broken it during the fluid flush. Other components getting loose or not being connected correctly after fluid change could also have triggered the check engine light.
Sometimes the CEL might be just a coincidence and have nothing to do with the oil change. Taking your car to an auto mechanic to read the error codes is the best way to discover whether the check engine light is related to transmission or a completely different problem.
