Sometimes drivers face an issue where a car fails to go into gear. Assuming that it’s not often, people who face this situation immediately conclude that it is a transmission problem. However, there can be reasons other than a malfunctioning transmission system. It is recommended to take your car to a service centre to get the problem professionally diagnosed and resolved.
Below you will find some major reasons why a car won’t shift gears that may help you determine that it’s the time to take your car to an auto service centre.
5 REASONS WHY YOUR CAR WON’T GO INTO GEAR
Read on to acquire knowledge about why your car gear is not working properly and what needs to be checked and fixed:
LOW TRANSMISSION FLUID
The main reason the car won’t go into gear is that the level of transmission fluid in the vehicle is lower than required. If the level is low despite regular maintenance, there may be a leak. Transmission fluid, therefore, is important to ensure that the car’s moving parts are properly lubricated for functioning.
MALFUNCTIONING SHIFT LOCK RELEASE IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CARS
In automatic transmission cars, the shift knob is locked when the vehicle is parked, until the driver’s foot is on the brake and the engine is started. This prevents accidental gear shifts in the car in absence of the driver.
However, in some cases, the shift lock gets stuck and fails to disengage properly and hence, automatic cars won’t shift gears. Most modern cars with automatic shifters have a ‘shift lock’ or ‘shift release’ switch somewhere near the shifter. It might sometimes be hidden under a small trim piece that you will have to remove with a small screwdriver or key. You can shift into drive by sticking the key in to release the lock.
FAILED CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION CAR
In all stick-shift cars, there is a master cylinder that is responsible to put the motion of the clutch pedal into the movement of the vehicle. This is done when the clutch pedal releases and engages the clutch in the transmission. The master cylinder uses hydraulic fluid to function; even a bit of leak of the fluid into the system can cause the clutch pedal to stop functioning and the car won’t go into gear. Another sign of this problem is when the clutch pedals fall to the floor.
TORN LINKAGE WIRE IN MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE
Due to rubbing against the sharp metal edges on the frame of the car, the cables and wires can sometimes get pinched off or ruptured. In case it’s the linkage cable to the clutch that has broken off, the car won’t go into gear, of course, no matter what kind of transmission your ride is. If you have exhausted all other options and suspect a severed linkage cable, get your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic. It is because locating the source of such a problem is tricky and requires advanced tools that are often unavailable at home or with amateur mechanics.
BAD TORQUE CONVERTER IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE
Components like a pump, stator, turbine in a torque converter can become faulty that can cause slipping when the transmission shift gears. Therefore, it is important to inspect these elements as they can block the transmission from shifting altogether. Regular automatic transmission maintenance can also help resolve minor problems that prevent your car from shifting gears properly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY CAR JERK WHEN SHIFTING GEARS IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION?
If your automatic transmission fluid is low or dirty, or if you have slipping clutch packs, bands, or weak and broken springs that cushion the clutch pack, it will cause an automatic transmission to jerk when shifting gears. Moreover, an engine running rough due to an ignition problem can cause jerks when the vehicle shift gears. Consequently, an AT specialist had the tools to diagnose and fix these problems.
WHY DOES MY CAR TURN OFF WHEN I SWITCH GEARS?
Your car won’t move in gear and will turn off when switching them if the torque converter is broken or bad. It is because the vehicle won’t be able to maintain the necessary power at low speeds or when idle, causing the engine to shut off.
WHY IS MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NOT CHANGING GEARS?
At times, your automatic car won’t shift gears because of the malfunctioning ECM. Other symptoms include bad internal connections, worn-out sensors, and faulty solenoids. Get your car checked out by an experienced mechanic who can understand the car’s electrical system.
MY CAR WON’T MOVE IN GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION?
If your car won’t move in gear in automatic transmission regardless of whichever gear you try, you may have weary clutches. Broken down clutches make the transmission unresponsive. Another reason why your car goes in gear but won’t move is that the transmission gear is stuck in two gears at the same time and is unable to move. Of course, the shift mechanism can malfunction at any time that prevents you from putting your vehicle into gear.
Now you know when your car won’t shift gears properly, either you are driving a manual or automatic transmission. However, you can easily avoid car transmission problems by keeping up regularly with the maintenance checklist. If you can easily resolve minor transmission problems then better buy auto parts and accessories to get the job done. Else take your vehicle to an auto service centre. In case, if the problem with the transmission gearbox is beyond repair, then you may consider buying a used car in the UAE.
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