Q: Won't move drive reverse

asked by on July 07, 2016

My Sephia has 160 k plus miles on it, and it barely moved in drive or reverse. It also made awful screeching sounds when I pressed on the gas. It doesn’t matter how much or how little I pressed the pedal. My check engine light came on. So I knew there were some problems brewing with my transaxle range sensor and the idle air control valve. There was also some scraping in the front of the car. It felt like it was located in the undercarriage of the car when I moved from a complete stop. Earlier today the scraping happened more frequently. Then all of a sudden it wouldn't go over 25 mph. The scraping started at a red light. Then the car wouldn’t move when the light turned green. I need help please. Do you have any ideas?

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

What are toggle switches and how are they used in cars?
Toggle switches are a simple type of electrical switch that is manually operated by the user using a short handle or lever. When the user presses the short handle forward or backwards the switch is moved between positions. When the...
How do I use the heated mirrors?
Heated mirrors are a convenient feature, especially for those living in colder areas. In order to heat your mirrors, simply press the rear window defogger button, which will have a symbol on it resembling a rectangle with wavy “heat” lines...
How do I change the Bluetooth language?
The Bluetooth Hands Free system is available in English, French, or Spanish. To change the language, follow these steps: 1. Press and hold the Phone Send button for at least five seconds. 2. After being prompted by the system, press...
AC blows cold until engine warms up.
You do not mention what kind of vehicle you have, but I can tell you that if they only put in .81 lb of refrigerant then your system is likely low on refrigerant. Most systems take more than 1.5 lb...
fuses blow, check engine light on, compressor needs replacing
As far as the power window fuse, there is obviously a shorted circuit causing the fuse to pop every time. The components of the system must be inspected by an automotive electrical technician to track down the fault. The stalling...
My alternator is failing could that cause my air conditioner to stop working
Hello. If your alternator is failing, this can cause many electronics in your vehicle to quit working. This includes the engine, the air conditioning, the radio, the windows, etc. Also, many warning lights can appear on the dash when the...
My front left tire screeches every time I turn the steering wheel
Your description could cover a number of things. If it makes the sound when the car is not in motion, you may have a problem with the power steering belt. If the sound only occurs only when the car is...
How many crankshaft position sensor are there? 2002 Infiniti QX4
Hello - there is only 1 crankshaft position sensor on this engine. It is located on top of the transmission bellhousing at the rear of the engine (driver side). For assistance, I recommend a crankshaft position sensor replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement) performed...
When i try to put my vehicle into gear the shifter moves freely and will not go into any gear is a 2003 Cavalier what could that b
If you are unable to actually change gears, the possibility of damage to the linkage between the shift lever and the gearbox has to be ruled out first. The linkage might appear to move but it might not be moving...

Related articles

How Are Car Sensors Protected From Heat and Debris?
Reliable car performance depends on sensors to collect and relay data. Some car sensors can be cleaned to make them work reliably again.
How an Automatic Transmission Works
An An automatic transmission allows a vehicle engine to operate within a narrow speed range, just like a manual transmission does. As the engine achieves higher degrees of torque (torque is the rotational power of the engine), the gears in...
How Long Does a Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Last?
The The engine’s performance is largely based on temperature measurements performed by the engine control module (ECM), also known as the vehicle’s computer. As the temperature of the engine increases, the resistance decreases which means the voltage drops. The computer...