Q: the car will not shift into any gear, but the gear shift moves

asked by on December 17, 2016

the car turns on with no problem; however, when I move the gear shift, nothing happens, the car will not move into gear, but the gear shift moves with no resistance.

My car has 165400 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

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

Can slamming car doors lead to rattling noises in the door?
Slamming your car doors is not good for your car in the long run. Violent actions like this eventually loosen the fasteners that hold your doors together, not to mention that you could also shatter the windows in the doors....
My car is on Limp mode.
Hi. Most of the time when these codes come up it is because the throttle body has failed. If you replaced the throttle body and cleared the codes and the problem persists then there may be another issue. When replacing...
Serpentine belt came off
A thrown belt is generally caused by either a seized peripheral - such as an alternator - AC compressor, or possibly a faulty tensioner or idler pulley. It is often suggested that if a belt has been thrown, that the...
Getting error code P0128
This code is a sign that the engine did not get to operating temperature in a specified amount of time and the computer turns on the Check Engine Light. The most common problem is that the engine thermostat is partly...
When raining, brakes grind first few stops and then clear up
The brake pads have metal in them, and the rotors are made of metal, and when it rains they get wet and surface rust will immediately start to rust the rotors. As soon as you start to drive off, the...
Lights don't work correctly
The first thing to check is the connector where it was replaced. A mechanic would need to check to see if the connector is wired correctly and that it has the proper power and ground to power the headlight. You...
My car starts and shifts but doesn't move in any gear and there is no check engine light, what would be the problem?
You need to check the transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) level to see if it is low. This would cause the no transmission engagement. If fluid is full then you have a transmission shift control valve issue which will need to be...
Ball joint boots are cracked.
Hello, thanks for writing in about your Toyota Tacoma. You will not find any glue to repair ball joint boots. The boots are sealed on most ball joints and any break in the boot allows dirt, debris, and water to...
No power to the MAP sensor and getting a code P0107.
Hi there. Trace the wires to the bulk wiring harness and check continuity from the wire to the end of the plug. If there is resistance, then disconnect the battery and remove the wiring harness from the computer and check...

Related articles

How a Manual Transmission Works
A A manual transmission helps a vehicle achieve a desired speed through the use of gears, a clutch, and a shifter. It works like this: when the driver wants to shift gears, he or she pushes in the clutch pedal...
How Long Does a Shift Interlock Solenoid Last?
Modern Modern transmissions are much more advanced than they were only a few decades ago, particularly automatic transmission. There are many new features and designs on the market, ranging from ‘slick’ shifting transmissions to manual shift paddles on the steering...
How Long Does a Transmission Position Sensor (Switch) Last?
All All automatic transmission vehicles have a safety switch in place that only allows them to start if they are in park or neutral gars. The transmission position sensor, also called the transmission position switch, ensures the vehicle is in...