Q: Can't shift gears

asked by on February 10, 2016

My car starts, but I can't shift gears. I think it might be an interlock issue.

Not able to change gears Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

This is a common issue. There are several components that can fail to prevent the shifting out of park. The interlock system has two things that often fail, the switch itself and the electronic interlocking mechanism itself. If the switch fails, often times the cruise control or brake lights will stop working as well. The mechanism fails often times due to debris falling through the console into the shifter itself. Things like food, drinks, coins, etc can all cause an issue if they accumulate in the right area. The other issue that is common is cable failure. If the cable has a problem, it can keep the shifter from working properly. I suggest having a certified technician diagnose your gear shifting issue to determine what fixes should be made.

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

How do I program MyKey?
The MyKey feature can be programmed to restrict certain driving functions. Functions like max speed max volume promote safe driving. To program MyKey. Press the Setup button until you see “Reset for MyKey Settings.” Press the Reset button. Press the...
How do I choose 12 or 24-hour format for the clock?
You can choose whether your vehicle’s clock has a 12-hour format, or a 24-hour format. To do so, open the infotainment center and press the Config button, then select Time Settings. Highlight the button that says 12/24 Hour Format, then...
Electrical problems with car
Hi there. On the right front wheel well, there are a series of fusible links which distribute battery power to all of the vehicle's electrical systems. One is gray and is labeled "fusible link K," which supplies power to all...
Car jerks when driving uphills and accelerating
The problem sounds like a misfire in one or more cylinders when under a load. The fuel system pressure (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-pressure-regulator) would need to be checked to see if you have the correct amount of fuel pressure to run the car...
Ignition Coil- One Dead coil
If you find the coils easy to change, then you can replace only the one you need. If you find you have a lot of work to get to them, then replace all of them at the same time to...
Ac compressor. Blowing hot air through front vents and cold air through rear vents.
It sounds to me like you have a blend door actuator problem. The blend door actuator is responsible for controlling the blend door. The blend door is responsible for blocking off air to the heater core when your air conditioning...
Temp.gauge going to hot blowing cold air heat not working replaced radiator and thermostat still overheating 2005 Infiniti G35
Hi - sounds like you may have multiple problems with your engine cooling and passenger heating systems (https://www.yourmechanic.com/question/car-overheating-despite-repairs). It is possible that the cooling system has not been bled properly, and there is a large pocket of air in the...
How to take air out of cooling system Lexus ls400 1997?
Hi there. First check the cooling system for the right amount of coolant and top it off if its low. Then run the cooling system until the engine is hot at operating temperature. Shut off the engine and let it...

Related articles

How Long Does a Slave Cylinder Last?
Your Your slave cylinder is within a sealed system, so it will generally last a very long time, and may never have to be replaced. The key word here is, of course “may.” If you’re in the habit of buying...
How to Decide Between Manual and Automatic Transmissions
There There are a lot of decisions that have to be made when buying a new car. Everything from choosing a make, model, and trim level to deciding if upgrading the stereo is worth the extra money. One of the...
How Long Does a Throttle Body Last?
There There are so many components involved in a vehicle running properly, but some of the main ones are rather basic in their role. The throttle body is one of those parts. This component is part of the air intake...