Q: Shifts but won't go into drive, reverse, or neutral.

asked by on February 16, 2017

The gear shifter will move in the car but it stays lit up as in park. It'll move to park reverse drive and what not but for some reason the transmission won't put it in any gear besides park

My car has 63000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Gears slipping when accelerating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Check the transmission fluid level and see if its full and the color red. If the transmission fluid is low, then top it off and see if there are any external leaks and see if the transmission will move. If the fluid is full and red in color, then the clutches in the transmission are slipping. Also, turn off the engine and put the transmission in any gear and see if the vehicle rolls. If the vehicle does not roll, then the brakes maybe stuck on keeping the vehicle from moving. Make sure that the parking brake is released all the way and the service brake pedal is all the way up. If the brakes are released and the vehicle does roll, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission not driving when its in gear.

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 jerking when shifting
Hello, it sound like your automatic transmission is having a mechanical problem internally. The first thing to check is the transmission fluid level and condition. If the level is low, top it up, check the fluid condition, it should be...
While driving in town, heard thump and then squeaking
Hey there, thanks for writing in about your 1997 Mercedes Benz E300. Check to see if you see any tilting of the vehicle to one side. You may also notice an abnormal amount of bouncing when driving the car. These are all...
4 days after dealership replaced headgasket I need a new transmission
Hello. The sequence of events and multiple failures you are describing are unusual. To replace a head gasket at 95,000 miles is unusual, except in a circumstance where the engine was overheated at some point in its life. Because you...
Mudguard destroyed under my left front bumper
Hello, thanks for writing in about your 2016 Hyundai Accent. You will be ok driving it around. Your mudguard does not serve a critical function that would otherwise prevent you from driving your car safely. If you'd like some peace...
My car wont start. I try to start it and it does nothing. The starter has been replaced.
Hi there. It sounds like a possible fuse/relay, battery, or wire harness fault. Check all fuses/relays and replace as necessary. Perform a test on the battery with a digital battery tester that provides cold cranking amps and state of health....
No heat - 1998 Ford Ranger
This may be due to a faulty heater blower motor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/heater-blower-motor-replacement) or potentially a bad heater core. As you may know, the heater core is a small radiator like unit that circulates the hot coolant from the engine through the...
serpintine belt and tensioner pulley replacement.
Hello. Thanks for writing in. Obviously you will want to clear some room to have access to the tensioner. This is easiest done by removing the radiator. Once you have the old tensioner removed, you simply reverse the process to...
what problems could occur if the wrong oil is used.
Hello. There are many things that could happen if the wrong oil is used in a vehicle. The oil may be too thin or thick to be sucked up into the oil pump, which will cause your engine to suffer...
While at a stop the car does a jolting movement. Kind of feels like it's going to turn off. Does it while in reverse and nuetrul.
It is possible that you could have a faulty engine or transmission mount. When these mounts fail that can cause the engine to shake around at idle and in drive or other gears. I would recommend having your engine and...

Related articles

What Does it Mean to Flush Fluids in a Car?
When When a mechanic suggests you flush car fluids, such as transmission fluid, motor oil, or brake fluid, it basically means to replace the old fluid with new. In some cases, however, to fully flush fluids requires the middle step...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Dodge Challenger
The The 2012 Dodge Challenger has high performance, great features, and good pricing. It is comfortable for every day driving while still providing enough space for four people and their cargo. Key Features Under the hood of the vehicle is...
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...