Q: Transmission won't shift from first gear

asked by on April 04, 2017

2008 chevy Malibu won't shift out of first gear. Check engine light comes on when this happens Problem only happens twice a month or so. Car will work fine if turn I turn it off and let it sit for 20 minutes or so. It just started leaking transmission fluid just recently but this has been a problem for a few months.

My car has 112000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

You will need to have the car checked for the reason the check engine light is coming on? The vehicle is going into failsafe mode and not shifting transmission. Once you get the codes from the computer you can then identify the reason for the transmission not shifting.

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 I disarm the theft-alarm system?
The theft-alarm system will be automatically disarmed whenever you unlock the vehicle.
Random misfire in race car
If you are running a 13:1 compression in an engine then you will have to have high octane fuel. The first thing to do you should do is to check all the plugs to see if one is fouling out,...
Hi am getting a misfiring in my turbo car but not at all the time
It sounds like you may have excessive water in the fuel of the fuel tank. You should try to put in some dry gas to disperse the water in the tank and try a different fuel station to see if...
How do I safely clean my car's throttle body?
The best way to clean a throttle body is to use throttle body cleaner with a soft towel to wipe out the carbon deposits on the throttle body. In order to do this, I would recommend having someone help you...
Parking brake warning
Be sure the warning light pertains only to the parking brake and not, in addition, the brake fluid level. If the warning light pertains only to the parking brake system, that system has a switch that could be sticking in...
O2 sensor replacement help needed.
The part that is covering the oxygen sensor is the heat shield on the exhaust manifold. You will have to remove the heat shield first to get the O2 sensor off. If you need further assistance with removing the heat...
Rough idle and there is a raw fuel smell coming from the exhaust.
If the spark plugs were replaced and there is too much fuel in the exhaust system, then the injectors are leaking and not spraying (atomizing) the fuel properly. A leaking fuel o-ring will make the fuel puddle up outside of...
i have a 2006 ford fusion and the bushings are rubbing which is making a squeaking noise how urgent is it ?
Any noise coming from the control arms (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement) or any part of the suspension should be addressed as soon as possible. The control arms typically mount to the spindle with a ball joint and to the engine / suspension cradle...
Speed sensor
Hello, thank you for writing in. There are two types of "speed sensors" on the vehicle. Regardless of which one you are referring to, the answer is yes. The transmission speed sensors are the same for both automatic and manual...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Love Road Trips
If If you love to travel, comfort is very important in a vehicle. You want a nice, quiet ride, comfortable seating, and enough room. We have evaluated several used vehicles, and narrowed our favorite road trip vehicles down to the...
P2138 OBD-II Trouble Code: Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D/E Voltage Correlation
P2138 Code Definition Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch D/E Voltage Correlation What the P2138 code means The P2138 trouble code indicates that the Engine...
P2671 OBD-II Trouble Code: Actuator Supply Voltage B Circuit High
P2671 means there is a fault in the B circuit actuator caused by any multitude of electrical issues or problems.