Q: Car jerking when switching gears

asked by on February 10, 2016

The AT light for the automatic transmission is coming on, and the car jerks when I switch gears.

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The illumination of a dashboard warning light means that a vehicle system has detected a fault. In many cases, the vehicle can be scanned for fault codes and data concerning the system. Your symptoms lead me to believe that there may be a failure regarding your automatic transmission function, which may be caused by something as simple as a sensor, or as serious as a failing pressure solenoid inside the transmission. Have a certified mobile mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, run a detailed inspection to diagnose the source of your AT Light, and recommend the best path to repair.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Engine mount
Hello. A broken or worn engine mount will cause the engine to vibrate excessively. You may also hear a loud bang when the car shifts gears. A certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, should inspect the engine mount in order...
Breaks squeek while backing up sometimes
If your brakes are squeaking they are either running low, or have accumulated excessive brake dust. When brakes run low, they will eventually hit the wear sensor which will cause a squeak when you apply the brakes. However, if your...
Overheated after an oil change.
It sounds like the technician did not bleed the cooling system properly allowing an air pocket to remain in the system. When the air pocket settles after sitting it typically raises to the top near the coolant temperature sensor. Since...
Advice on choosing a luxury car
Personally, I would get a Lexus (https://www.yourmechanic.com/scheduled-maintenance/lexus-sc400/). They are really nice luxury cars and they rarely break down. They are excellent. I have had tons of customers in the '70s and the '80 that have Mercedes and BMWs. Then they...
Causes for heater to blow cold air
Hi...if you are referring to the passenger compartment heater, there are two possible causes of insufficient or no heat. The passenger compartment heater, also known as the "heater core", is essentially a mini radiator and the fluid running through this...
The oil pressure light is blinking.
Hi There, This light will usually come on when one of two things are happening. Either the motor is in fact low on oil or the oil pressure sending unit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-pressure-sensor-replacement) is not working properly and may be producing a...
engine light-p303 cylinder 3 misfire, changed spark plugs,ingition coil and cylinder valves
Coils and plugs are usually the starting point for a misfire code, but some basic diagnostic work might save you some money. Sometimes I like to try swapping components from cylinder to cylinder to see if the misfire moves before...
How can I fix a ticking noise coming from the engine to my Pontiac torrent 2009?
Hi there. The noise (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/noise-from-engine-or-exhaust-inspection) you are hearing is the lifters in the engine are not pressurizing up or stuck in the down position. Check the oil level on the engine and see if the level is low. If the...
Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit Malfunction how to fix and where is it ?
Hi there. The best advice I can offer is for you to complete one of two things. First, it would probably be best to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a check engine light inspection...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Long Commutes
Most Most of us are faced with the prospect of commuting back and forth to work on a daily basis, but some have a much longer drive than others. When it comes time to buy a car, you need to...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver
Are Are you thinking of becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft? That could be an exciting career change – you’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people, and if you love to drive, what better way to spend...
How to Install Undercar LED Lighting
Underglow lighting attracts attention and adds a futuristic look to your car. Install LED lighting yourself with an LED light kit.