Reader Question: I have a 2001 Hyundai Sonata with 152,000. I have had regular maintenance done on it at every 15,000/30,000/45,000, etc. miles.
Currently when I drive it when it shifts (automatic transmission V6) around the 25MPH point it shifts rather hard unless when just above 25 MPH I let up off the gas to allow easier shift.
When it does make the hard shift, the Check Engine Light will come on and the car seems like it is driving in the wrong gear (I guess) but it will drive.
A friend put the hand held computer on it and the code shows I need a speed sensor. Is that enough or do you think I am looking at transmission problems? Is there a code when it is the transmission?
Thank you for your advise.
Jeannie
Hey Jeannie,I really need a little more information and would like to run some tests myself to really be sure what is happening here but if you have a speed sensor code that is showing up in the computer memory, I would look into that code more and test the sensor.
This could very well be a bad speed sensor problem or there could be something wrong internally with the transmission. You do have many miles on this vehicle, so internal transmission wear would not surprise me at this mileage point.
Before you do anymore than replace the speed sensor, I would get a reputable transmission shop or even the Hyundai dealership to diagnose this problem further. Your regular mechanic is probably not the best guy to troubleshoot an electronic automatic transmission problem.
If the transmission is deemed to be the culprit, get 3 estimates from local transmission shops for a complete overhaul. You might not need a complete overhaul for this problem but at this mileage, I would be prepared to overhaul it once they disassemble it and do some inspections.
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