As technology advances, so is the availability of information to the public. You can learn about almost anything on the internet or library provided you have the will.
Car owners now do not need to call the mechanic every time the car fails to start; they simply look it up online. This has made them more informed on the different ways to take care of their cars.
There are however some issues that ordinary drivers with the best sources cannot crack-they need professional intervention. These issues revolve around different car problems that seem to interrelate; this makes it difficult to trace the real issue and its causes.
One such issue is the relationship between bad spark plugs and transmission problems.
Can bad spark plugs cause transmission problems?
Indirectly yes. There is no direct connection between spark plugs and the transmission but there are several complications that result from bad spark plugs that reach the transmission. So if we look at it this way, bad spark plugs do cause transmission problems.
Spark plugs play a central role in the combustion process and if they fail, the cycle will not complete. Incomplete combustion will result in misfires and low torque delivery to the transmission.
This will cause weak and rough running due to the hampered shifting gears transmission. When driving at higher speeds, you will notice problems with shifting up and down.
To understand this issue better, we will list the symptoms you can look for in bad or failed spark plugs.
Misfires In The Engine
Any form of engine misfire, severe or mild is a direct indicator of spark plug issues. The most common cause is one of the spark plugs not firing as expected.
Misfires can be described by loud sputtering sounds accompanied by unexpected power loss. If your car shakes violently, that’s a sign too.
If left to persist, misfiring can result in poor fuel economy and low vehicle performance. The exhaust emission will be darker and the car will exhibit rough idling.
In the long run, parts like the catalytic converter will bear the brunt.
Poor Fuel Economy
If and when the spark plugs are working as expected, the car burns just the right amount of fuel for the right distance.
If you feel that your car is traveling fewer miles with more fuel, your fuel economy rate might have been altered by the failure of parts like the spark plugs- less mileage per tank is a clear sign of spark plug troubles.
As the spark plugs bear the brunt of wear and tear, the area between the plug electrodes can widen or shrink depending on the cause. This results in the plugs not firing and if they do, they fire too erratically.
This leads to thicker emissions and the car burning more fuel than needed. If you experience these signs, replace the spark plugs immediately, for the sake of your car and the environment.
Hard Starts
Worn-out and dirt-laden spark plugs make it more difficult to create and transmit the sparks necessary to ignite the fuel in the combustion chamber. The problem gets worse in the cold weather.
When this happens, you will notice sudden jerks when you start the car and long cranking during ignition.
This might not seem like a serious issue but if not rectified in time the ramifications can be pretty expensive. It could ruin the engine, damage the starter or even drain the battery before its due date.
Weak Acceleration
Every driver knows their car, they know what to expect whenever they engage any gear or pedal. If you step on the gas pedal and the car does not deliver the power you expected then you might need to check the spark plugs-they might be responsible for the weak or sluggish reaction.
Other factors might be at fault but the spark plugs are the main culprits. Some of the other causes of slow acceleration include faulty fuel pumps and damaged oxygen sensors.
You must inspect all these areas and run as many tests as needed before settling on the spark plugs theory. For a situation like this, you will need expert help, drive into the nearest car repair shop and share your concerns.
Rough Idling
As you drive, keep your ears open for strange sounds from the engine area. If you hear rattling or knocking sounds from under the hood, remember your spark plugs.
If the sounds transform into vibrations during idling, then your car needs to have its spark plugs checked sooner than later. The spark plugs are not igniting the fuel as they should and this is causing the engine to vibrate.
Contents
Which Car Parts Do Bad Spark Plugs Affect The Most?
Well, any part whose functionality is directly related to the spark plugs. The most obvious ones are the combustion chamber, the engine, and the catalytic convertor.
These parts are affected when the bad spark plugs trigger misfires which damage the engine and combustion chamber. The rich smoke emitted through the exhaust as a result of misfires damages the catalytic convertor.
These parts are pretty expensive to repair so it would be wise to keep them clear of any potential damage.
How Do Bad Spark Plugs Affect Transmission?
Transmission occurs as a result of power generated in the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber generates this power by burning fuel after it is ignited by the spark plugs.
If we look at this scenario from a reverse perspective, a weak or no spark will automatically affect the transmission. No, spark means no combustion and no transmission.
It might not be very obvious as it is not direct but the important thing to note is that, for proper transmission to occur, the spark plugs must be functioning as expected.
Bottom Line
Spark plugs might not be complex but their functionality affects other complex and more expensive parts like the engine and combustion chamber.
These parts directly affect transmission and the car’s overall performance. Without them, the car might not even run. The fact that the spark plugs affect these parts means that they affect the car’s performance and transmission.
