Q: Transmission won't go into gear
My transmission won't go into gear. I can move the shifter to any of the available positions, but nothing happens. It's like I am in neutral, except when I am in park of course.
Recommended Services
| Gears slipping when accelerating Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
As bad as that sounds, it could be as simple as a worn bushing which would cause the cable to come loose from the linkage. It may have also been a broken shifter cable. So the first step would be to verify that you are actually shifting the transmission. If your cable and shifter check out, now you would look at the transmission by checking fluid level and the condition of the different transmission components. If nothing obvious is seen then your problem would most likely be internal to the transmission. I recommend having a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, inspect your vehicle’s transmission to see what needs to be repaired.
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
What others are asking
Doors keep unlocking. Using both manual and auto-lock.
I would have a technician inspect your electrical system (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electrical-components-are-not-working-inspection). It sounds like you may have some electrical problems. There could be a shorted wire where the wires go into the doors or you may have a bad lock sensor...
What does the Intelligent Key battery discharge Warning Light mean?
The Intelligent Key battery discharge Warning Light is located on the instrument panel. This light illuminates when the batter in the Intelligent Key is running low. Replace the battery as soon as possible, to avoid it dying during use.
What does the electric stability control (ESC) indicator mean?
The electric stability control (ESC) indicator is located on the instrument panel. When the ESC light blinks, then system has detected adverse driving conditions, and the ESC is turned on. If the indicator illuminates and stays lit, then the ESC...
I need to know what's the rattling noise the engine makes when I turn on the car
I would have to hear the noise to know exactly what the noise is since I have seen a serpentine belt tensioner make a knocking noise on these engines and it is an inexpensive repair to just replace the tensioner...
I have a VW, it overheated and shut down. It won't start now, but it does turn over
Hello. If your vehicle overheated (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-causes-a-car-to-overheat), shut off, and will no longer start, then it may be possible that the overheating caused an issue. The fact that the engine still cranks is a good sign that the overheating did not...
Windshield wipers do not work when cold but after car runs for a bit they start right up.
Hi there. The issue you are having is there could be water getting into the motor and arm area that is causing the system to freeze up and not function until the water is thawed out. I suggest greasing up...
A garbage truck backed up on the hood of my 2016 kia optima my hood is crunched up to the wind shield. My airbags did not deploy.
Hello, thank you for writing in. To start, there was a major recall of your make, model, and year for an air bag front end crash malfunction. You need to look up your VIN and verify that your vehicle was...
Why does my security light blink rapidly when I try starting my 2004 Ford Explorer
Hello. If the theft light is blinking when you try starting your vehicle, and it does not start then typically it is a programming issue. It is possible that what occurred with the shifter may have caused a voltage loss....
No heat at idle
If the thermostat is not open yet then the thermostat will not let enough fluid to flow into the heater core. You should have both heater hoses into the heater core hot when idling. You should let the engine run...
Related articles
5 Signs Your Car Isn't Shifting Correctly
Improper shifting is a sign of car transmission problems. The solution might be simple or complex, but get it inspected to avoid expensive repairs.
Top 10 PZEV Cars for Eco-Friendly Drivers
Teddy Leung / Shutterstock.com The whole idea of a PZEV (that is, a partial zero-emissions vehicle), seems paradoxical. You’d think it’d have to either be zero-emissions or not in the category at all. But as contradictory as...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Over 50
Shopping Shopping for a car when you’re over the age of 50 begins to shift a bit, as your priorities tend to change. Suddenly it’s not so much about what the vehicle looks like, or how much space it has...
Browse other content
Estimates
Cities