Why Does My Transmission Shift Hard From First To Second? (9 Reasons Why)

Why Does My Transmission Shift Hard from First to Second? (9 Reasons Why)

When you’re familiar with your car, you’d likely notice right away when it doesn’t handle the way it usually does.

As such, you may notice transmission issues like rough shifting but not necessarily know what causes it. Here’s what I found!

Why Does My Transmission Shift Hard From First to Second?

One of the causes of hard shifting on low gears may be a transmission control module error. Additionally, low or dirty transmission fluid, as well as damaged or broken transmission components may be causing hard shifting. External factors such as colder weather may also affect your transmission and cause hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear.

Keep reading if you’d like to know why your transmission is hard shifting from 1st to 2nd gear!

1. Problem with the Transmission Control Module

If you’re having trouble with your transmission shifting hard on low gear, the transmission control module may be to blame.

Generally, the transmission control module or TCM is a computer that’s responsible for coordinating the actions of the transmission system with the engine.

As such, if the transmission control module fails, then it follows that the transmission won’t behave as expected.

Because of this, you may find your transmission shifting hard from first to second gear.

2. Low or Contaminated Transmission Fluid

Aside from a TCM error, problems with the transmission fluid may also be causing your transmission to shift hard between low gears.

For instance, over time, pollutants and debris may pollute transmission fluid.

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As a result, you could hear the distinctive thud of hard shifting when changing gears.

Additionally, insufficient lubrication between the gears and other transmission components may result from low transmission fluid levels, which are frequently brought on by leaking gaskets or seals.

Overall, transmission fluid is an essential component of the transmission and must be changed or topped off as needed.

3. Broken Sensors

Aside from my points above, faulty sensors may also be causing your transmission to shift hard.

Nowadays, multiple sensors are being utilized by cars with automatic transmission to help with gear shifting.

Therefore, there can be a transmission issue if there is a problem with your car’s computer system; malfunctioning sensors prevent the transmission to send or receive signals.

As such, this issue may prevent your transmission from functioning smoothly in your car.

4. Faulty Transmission Vacuum Modulator

In addition, a damaged transmission vacuum modulator may be causing your transmission to hard shift.

Generally, the vacuum modulator calculates the workload that your engine is under, and does so by applying pressure to the combustion cylinder’s throttling valve through the gear transmission.

However, a damaged or deformed vacuum line puts additional pressure on the modulator and complicates gear transmission.

Thus, this may affect your transmission negatively and cause the transmission to rough shift.

5. Damaged Shifter Cable

Damaged Shifter Cable

A damaged shifter cable may also be to blame for your transmission hard shifting.

Typically, most automatic cars today have a shifter cable, which is responsible for connecting the shifter to the transmission.

Additionally, the cable was designed by automakers to ensure that the indicator needle was perfectly aligned with the desired gear.

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As such, the indicator needle will not line up when your transmission cable is defective or destroyed, which will result in troublesome gear transfer.

6. Damaged Transmission Components

A breakdown in internal components like the gasket and shaft seal might also be the cause of poor transmission.

Due to their location, changing these parts can be expensive.

In this situation, it would be preferable to fill the gaps or patch the cracks with a transmission sealer: a quick and affordable solution to this problem.

Additionally, O-rings and piston springs are a couple of more components that could have failed and will need replacement.

Finally, leaking fluid is a severe problem that needs to be fixed, lest it causes components to corrode and fail to work.

7. Worn Gears

Aside from my points above, the transmission system’s gears might wear out and suffer damage over time.

Especially in manual transmission, gears may wear down or incur damage over time.

When this happens, the gears used in your transmission may grind against each other and break down due to insufficient lubrication.

Moreover, corrosion may also occur on the gears, causing them to get stuck, and thus resulting in the shifter resisting when you change gears.

8. Broken Gear Hub Sleeve

In addition to worn gears, a damaged gear hub sleeve may also be causing hard shifting on a manual transmission.

Generally, a gear hub is a connection between successive gears that helps move one gear to another.

As such, if the sleeve is worn, the movement will not be smooth and will cause the gears to become displaced.

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Ultimately, this is another well-known issue and may help you come up with the best way to address it.

9. Cold Weather Causing Faulty Transmission

Whether you’re aware of it or not, the environment you drive in may also impact your car, and this includes the transmission, too.

Usually, people who live in regions with harsh winters also frequently experience hard shifting come wintertime.

Because of this, when it’s chilly outside, the oil and transmission fluid thickens, causing the gears to grind against one another.

Thankfully, this is easily remedied by using a high-quality synthetic fluid.

To know more, you can also read our posts on why Liberty Mutual is so expensive, why your car interest rate is so high, and cruise control is not working.

Conclusion

There may be several reasons why your transmission is shifting hard in low gears; these may include dirty transmission fluid or even the weather.

Moreover, damaged transmission components can cause your transmission to seize if left unaddressed, which will result in having to spend a large sum to replace the entire transmission.

As such, you should bring your car to the service center at the first sign of transmission issues to prevent it from harming the rest of your car.

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