Q: Jolts, jerks & disengagement of transmission

asked by on August 09, 2016

Today, while driving, there were big jolts after stopping and when accelerating there were definite jerks in the shifting of the transmission. After sitting at a red light and starting to drive again, there was disengagement in the transmission and my car wouldn’t move. There was no help from shifting into neutral and then back into drive. When I used the manual shift buttons on the steering wheel, then I was able to drive again. After ¼ mile of jerking and slipping in and out of gear, the transmission reengaged. What caused this so I’ll know what to tell the mechanic?

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

What are the automatic seat belt tensioners?
Your car’s seat belts are much more advanced than what was available even a few years ago. They’re much more than just belts designed to be tightened on buckling. In fact, they work with your air bag system to enhance...
Wiper blades overextended
It sounds like your may have some wiper blade linkage problems. I would have a technician come out and remove the wiper access panel and inspect the linkage connected to the wiper blades. They might just need to be removed...
Speedometer stopped working 20km
Hi there. For your Ford E-250, it is likely that there is an issue with the instrument cluster itself, the vehicle speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/speed-sensor-replacement), or the wheel speed sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/wheel-speed-sensor-replacement). All of those components play a critical role in calculating...
I just put a fuel pump in and my car still won't start. If I jump it, it is shorting out. What is going on now?
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2000 Dodge Neon. This is a sign of a faulty fuel pump relay or fuse. I would recommend checking the fuel pump relay fuse in the fuse box under the hood to...
Loud roaring sound - 2008 Honda Ridgeline
Hi there. In many cases, the loud noise you're hearing upon start-up is related to a loose drive or serpentine belt. The fact you hear this noise when you turn might indicate that the power steering pulley or drive belt...
It's like I don't have a clutch, more or less there's too much pedal.
Hello - first task is to check the fluid level in your clutch fluid reservoir. This reservoir may be shared with the brake master cylinder - they both use brake fluid. If the fluid level is correct, it sounds like...
I have a Subaru Impreza 2009 and the two charger ports do not work as aux and there is no aux cable input even though the radio aux.
Check the fuses with the auxiliary charging ports to see if they have burned. If the fuse is good, then there is an open or short within the wiring to the charging ports. The radio has an auxiliary wire attached...
This situation happened to me and I drove it to a mechanic. He said I had no coolant and my engine is blown, that I need a new eng
Overheating, if severe enough, will damage an engine. The term "blown", though, is not a technical term and thus means nothing in particular except that the engine, according to that mechanic at least, is "damaged". Typically, in the worst cases...
Grinding noise when I turn off the engine
It is a given that when you take your car to a mechanic for a noise, it will stop making the noise right when he gets in the car. It can sometimes be a challenge to get a car to...

Related articles

How Long Does a Transmission Filter Last?
Your Your transmission filter is a very important component in your vehicle, because it’s the front line of defense when it comes to keeping contaminants out of your transmission fluid. Most automobile manufacturers recommend a transmission filter change every 2...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes Benz S-Class
If If you’re looking for a vehicle that delivers top-of-the-line features, comfort, performance and safety, all while showing off the prestige of the driver, the 2012 Mercedes Benz S-Class is your choice. Key Features With Active Body Control and a...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class BlueTEC
The The R-Class isn’t a minivan. It’s not a station wagon either – though it bears the slight air of one. Mercedes deems it a crossover, and that may be the closest appropriate designation but it’s not an exact match...