A lot of people take gear shifts in their vehicle for granted. But every time your automatic transmission needs to shift into a different gear, there is a vacuum modulator inside which ensures that the gear shift can be successfully completed.
How Does a Transmission Vacuum Modulator Work?
The vacuum modular is a load sensor inside of the engine which calculates how much of a load is being placed on the engine of your car. Once it detects this amount, it can allow the transmission to shift appropriately.
Older model vehicles used to have cables connected to the throttle valve to accomplish this task. The vacuum modulator has a vacuum line which is attached to the intake valve and calculates the engine’s vacuum amount. Either way, both technologies have the same function.
When we talk about the load on the engine, we are referring to how hard it must work just to maintain its functionality. The load is obviously referring to the weight and pressure placed on the engine as it continues to move the vehicle.
For example, when you drive your car downhill, there is a smaller load on the engine because gravity is helping the vehicle move. On the other hand, when you’re driving up a hill with lots of people in your car, the load on the engine is going to be much greater.
The vacuum modulator measures the amount of this load so that the engine knows how hard to work to sustain the demand being placed on it.
Signs of a Bad Transmission Vacuum Modulator
Most modern vehicles have a vacuum modulator in them. If your vacuum modulator were to become defective, there are certain signs you could recognize right away to help determine this. Here are four of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning vacuum modulator.
1) Poor Engine Performance
The main symptom you will notice is weak engine performance. If the diaphragm of the vacuum modulator were to have a leak in it, you will have a leaky vacuum and your EGR system will shut off.
If the vacuum leak is too severe, then you will notice less power in your engine as well as acceleration problems. This will ultimately affect the fuel economy and efficiency of your vehicle.
2) Check Engine Warning Light
Another easily noticeable symptom of a bad vacuum modulator is having the check engine light illuminate on your dashboard. The computer of your car will know right away when the modulator sends a bad signal, which will cause the warning light to come on.
However, there are many reasons why the engine warning light can come on besides this reason and you’ll need to scan your car for stored trouble codes to confirm the issue.
So, do not automatically assume it is a bad vacuum modulator unless you are experiencing at least a couple other symptoms as well.
3) Excessive Emission Amounts
If you have excessive amounts of nitrogen dioxide emissions coming out of your vehicle, this may indicate that the vacuum modulator is no longer able to properly regulate these emissions.
Most people find this out when they have an emissions test done on their car, which is required by some states.
4) Shifting Problems
If you’re experiencing all of the above symptoms while having shifting problems too, then you likely have a faulty transmission vacuum modulator.
As you just learned, the vacuum modulator is what allows the transmission to shift properly. Having a bad vacuum modulator will obviously affect normal shifting.
See Also: 8 Parts of an Automatic Transmission
Transmission Vacuum Modulator Replacement Cost
We recommend Parts Geek for the best prices and selection.
If you end up having to get your vacuum modulator replaced, you will only have to spend between $80 to $160 total.
Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, the cost of the replacement modulator will be around $50 to $100. The labor costs should only be about $150 to $200 because it doesn’t take that long to replace it.
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I have a jerking motion when driving at normal operating temperature. And my car shuts off whenever I decelerate and down shift into first gear OR put into reverse. When I turn the car off and then on again, it stalls out immediate and won’t lose power. But if I turn the car on and immediately apply the gas, I can keep it running. That is until I drive and it had to decelerate and down shift into first great again.
Does your car stall when idling? Any codes?
I have a 1991 GMC S-15 Jimmy that’s showing all these signs. Problem is I don’t know where it’s location is on the vehicle. Parts man said they are color coded and I need to locate it and the color before he can order the part….. HELP!!
You can get a diagram of your car. They will have one at the parts store.
I was told by a mechanic that I my vacuum modulator needs to be replaced on my 2002 Suzuki Vitara. I’m having the exact problems described in this article.
Apparently the 02 Vitaras don’t have a vacuum modulator. So what could it be? Or is the mechanic right anyway?
I have a 94 c/k 1500 Chevy with a 5.7 350 tbi automatic transmission.it shifts really hard from 2nd to 3rd why is that? It feels like it’s gonna snap my u joints sometimes
This is very helpful. My transmission on my Jaguar XJ12 does not shift right and I have a higher than usual fuel consumption. I have a spare vaccum modulator and will check it out. Should be an easy fix.
My Toyota Corolla will onlyove now, in reverse!!! It will not go forward, at all. I may have gotten some water in transmission. Just in case, I put some sea foam in it and hoping things would get a little better. Before this trans was FINE and even now car starts rights up and drives in reverse beautifully!!! I know nothing about cars but, yesterday, I thought …it’s like there’s no pressure in the other gears!!! I didn’t know if this was a phenomenon or not!?!? Do you know how I can fix this!?!? I NEED TRANSPORTATION DESPERATELY AMD I CANT AFFORD TO LIVE, AS IT IS AND NOW THIS!!! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW!?!? THANK YOU!!!!
i have a jerking motion in drive at low rpm
Is anyone having problems with this on their Camaro after it passes 50,000 miles
Summit racing
I had replaced my vacume mod valve on my A4LD trans.and I didn’t see a pin can anyone help me where can I get one or make on what’s the measurements .thank you