Q: Not shifting out of first

asked by on February 28, 2016

My car won't shift out of first gear. Is this a transmission problem?

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The problem may be a speed sensor, a transmission internal shift solenoid, or harness issue. Only a scan and diagnosis will show the cause. If you need help with this, a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect your car’s gears to determine how to move forward with a repair.

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 you use the Maintenance Minder™?
The computer system on your car is pretty sophisticated and is capable of tracking many different services and maintenance requirements. It informs you of what’s due and when through the Maintenance Minder™ on the car. Here’s how to use it:...
Steering wheel shaking
A shaking steering wheel at low speeds can be caused by tires that are out-of-round or badly worn due to some failed suspension component. Have a technician, such as our experts here at YourMechanic, check for looseness in the front...
Car shakes and the check engine light is on
Hello. If you have misfire codes on all of these cylinders, then the problem is much more in-depth. Most of the time when this occurs on one side of the engine, it is because the timing belt is worn out...
New clutch but vehicle just revs when put into gear
Hey there. The clutch is self-adjusting and after service the pedal should be pressed five times to set the pedal free travel. If the clutch still does not engage then you may have a defective clutch pressure plate if the...
turn signal works when acc is on and it wont work when started . Right side
Hi and thanks for contacting YourMechanic. What seems to be happening is the cluster control module has a short in it. The control module is under the dash on the driver side. I recommend replacing the cluster control module. The...
Can a Catalytic converter break up little pieces and ruin your engine
It is not possible for broken off pieces from a catalytic converter to get into your car's engine and damage it. However, if your vehicle's catalytic converter is damaged, including breakage or melting of the internal honeycomb substrate that contains...
Can a blown bulb cause a short in the circuit resulting in a drained battery overnight ? Mercedes Benz
Hello - no, I don't think it's possible for a light bulb to cause a dead battery unless it's left on overnight. Something else is going on here that's draining your battery. This problem can be diagnosed by connecting an...
I have a 1978 Toyota hilux with the 20r engine it has fuel in the oil is it possible that the engine just got flooded?
Hi DJ. Thanks for contacting us today. There are a few reasons why gasoline would mix with engine oil, ranging from gasoline leaking inside a vacuum line or a cracked intake manifold. I would change the oil and filter and...

Related articles

Is It Safe to Drive With the Transmission Temperature Light On?
Most people don’t know very much about vehicle transmissions, and realistically, why should they? All you want to do is get in...
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...
How to Know When Your Transmission Is Not Working
Most vehicles use some sort of transmission to transfer the power generated from the engine, into usable power that can turn the wheels....