Q: My car won't start or come out of park

asked by on August 27, 2016

I was driving down the road in the middle of a rainstorm. As I was driving my RPM gauge would not work. My wipers and all of my warning lights came on my Dash. My windows will not roll down. So I pulled over and turn my car off try to turn off engine and restart did not help no car just rolls over will not start and will not come out of park

My car has 147000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi there. This is known issue related to what is called a shifter interlock lever. This is a very cheap plastic part that has a hook on the end of it with a spring connected to it. When this part wears out, the hook breaks off and the spring falls off, which then does not allow the car to go into gear. The no start may or may not be related to the problem. Since you say that many electrical components are acting up, this could mean that there’s a problem with the battery, charging system, or a fault in the electrical wiring. If you want to have this checked out, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the shifting problem and starting issue, and then guide with appropriate repairs.

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

Car is shaking while idling and leaking coolant
From what you have described it sounds like a coil or spark plug fault causing a misfire. With the coolant leak, the most common cause would be a coolant hose or the radiator leaking. The two may be caused by...
Coolant Leak
Hi there. The coolant can disappear for a number of reasons. The most common being an external leak. If it is not obvious as to where it is coming from then the system needs to be pressure tested. The water...
Wheel studs breaking off when changing tire
Hey there: Thanks for writing in to YourMechanic.com. Breaking a wheel stud is commonly not caused by the way you're removing them, or the tool you are using. Lug nuts are supposed to go onto a stud smoothly, and come...
Car won't start and doesn't have normal power
Thanks for writing in today about the issue with your Saturn. Without being there to physically inspect the car, it's very hard to give you a precise diagnosis, but one common problem that occurs when people install accessory items like...
After starting SUV, 4 indicator lights come on
There are several reasons that this could happen. A system voltage dip or spike can cause all of these systems to illuminate their indicators or a fault that compromises the drivability of the engine such a mass airflow (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/mass-airflow-sensor-replacement) or...
Car starts but acts like it doesn't want to
Hey there. This sounds like a faulty alternator. Use a multi-meter to test the alternator's output voltage (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-test-your-alternator_2). Good alternators test in the range of 13.8-14.2 volts and make sure to use the 20 volt setting, or you could receive...
Are front and rear wheel cylinders the same?
Hi. The rear wheel cylinders (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-brake-wheel-cylinder) should be interchangeable with the front wheel cylinders. The drum set in the rear should be exactly the same as the front. If you are unsure then remove a wheel cylinder from the front...
Everything time I slow down it makes clicking noise
What you are describing sounds like a failing CV joint. A CV (Constant Velocity) joint is a shaft that connects the transmission to the wheels, essentially transferring the power from the drive train directly to the wheels. The CV joint...
my overflow tank is full and if i add more water to my radiator where will that water go?
To begin with: you don't want to put straight water into your cooling system. You need to use a 50% mixture of water and anti freeze. You put it in at the radiator cap. Start with the engine cold and...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Vet
The The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing...
Understanding the Chrysler Oil Change Indicator and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Chrysler Oil Change Indicator lets you know when and what service your car needs.
How Bad Driving Prematurely Wears Out Your Car
Bad drivers and bad driving habits can cause strain on car parts, especially the tires, brakes, body, and electrical and steering systems.