Q: Wont go in reverse and drive feels like you are holding brake on 2003 Chevrolet Malibu

asked by on January 19, 2017

The car wont go in reverse and when you put it in drivr it will move but feels like the brakes are being held down

My car has 134000 miles.

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

Hi - your symptoms describe a very confused transmission. Check first for low transmission fluid (or too much). Check next for problem codes coming from the transmission, whether the Check Engine light is on or not. With this transmission (4T40E) valve body problems with extended mileage can cause this and other seemingly unlikely behaviors. I recommend a transmission inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

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 acting like it has no fuel, even though it has some gas in it, won't start.
If the car wont turn over your battery terminals may be dirty and have a bad connection. Clean the terminals and then try to start the car again. If it doesn't start or turn over then I would have a...
Car started, stalled, and now won't start at all.
A rough idle indicates that your engine is misfiring. There are many reasons why a car would misfire. It could be a bad ignition coil or spark plug. It could also be a bad control module or wiring issue. If...
Car not accelerating
This issue could be caused by something as simple as the emergency brake being left on, but that is usually the first thing that would be checked. If the emergency brake is off then there could be an issue with...
Temperature gauge goes up and down
Hello. If the coolant temperature gauge is constantly fluctuating then the most common cause of this is a bad thermostat. If the thermostat is sticking or not opening and closing right then this will occur. It can also be a...
Oil in my radiator
Good question. Often times when you change your head gasket you are suppose to have your head resurfaced to ensure you didn't damage anything on the head when you pulled it out. Also, if there was oil in the coolant...
There is no cold or hot air blowing, butI can hear the switches and fan turn on
Many common faults will cause your 2006 Infiniti G35 to have no cold or hot air coming from the vents. It is good that you can hear the fan as this is an important step in diagnosis. If the you...
While turning right and left, my car makes a popping noise from the drive axles
Hey there. This is likely a sign of failing CV joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-cv-shaft-assembly-replacement). All front-wheel drive cars have "constant velocity" joints or CV joints on both ends of the drive shafts. Inner CV joints connect the drive shafts to the transmission,...
Check Engine Light is on. Car idles high when put in drive or reverse and engine stalls when too much gas is applied.
Is there also a loud hissing or sucking noise and maybe a lean code stored in the engine control computer? The high idle sounds like there may be a problem with the idle air control valve or there may be...
I fixed what was wrong but check engine light wont turn off
It sounds like you may have an evaporative emissions system leak. Your car has a small purge valve with a purge solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/evaporation-vent-solenoid-replacement) in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport
The The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport is a brand new vehicle and is an eco-conscious crossover SUV for the environmentally friend consumer. It comes standard with many features, but also has many available options so it can suit any buyer’s...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
The The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu ECO hybrid is an interesting car in the world of mid-size family sedans. Unlike other popular hybrids, it doesn’t have a full-sized electric motor that takes over when the car starts. Instead, it uses eAssist...
The Best Used Cars to Buy if You're Hauling a Horse Trailer
Horse Horse owners need a vehicle with towing capacity. Depending on the size of your trailer and the weight of your horse or horses, you probably won’t be able to get away with less than a 3,000-pound towing capacity, and...