Won't go into gear

Common causes

1. Very low fluidWith no fluid in the pump's supply, an automatic builds no pressure and nothing engages. A sudden loss usually means a big leak or a burst cooler line.
2. A shifter cable, bushing or linkage failureA cable that stretches, a worn bushing or a missing clip lets the lever move without moving the transmission, so the dial and the transmission disagree.
3. A range sensor or neutral safety switch faultThis switch tells the computer which position you selected and allows starting only in Park or Neutral. When it fails, the vehicle may refuse to start or refuse to move.
4. A failed internal part, pump or torque converterA broken pump drive, a failed converter or a destroyed clutch pack leaves the engine running while nothing reaches the wheels.

There are two very different versions of this problem. In one, the lever feels loose, as if it is not connected to anything. In the other, the lever moves normally but the vehicle goes nowhere.

At a glance

• A loose shifter often means cable or linkage; a normal shifter with no motion often means inside
• Check the puddle: a large leak can mean there is no fluid left
• Manuals and automatics fail this way for different reasons
• Forcing it can add damage

Automatic or manual?

In a manual, the usual suspects are on the pedal side: a clutch that no longer releases because of a hydraulic leak or a broken part, which makes shifting impossible without grinding. In an automatic the likely story is fluid, a linkage problem or something inside. If you have a clutch pedal, clutch slipping or grabbing covers that side.

Safe things to notice, not to try

• Does the lever move through every position, and does it feel springy or slack?
• Does the gear indicator on the dashboard match where the lever points?
• Will it start in Park and in Neutral, and only in those two?
• Is there fresh red or brown fluid under the vehicle?
• Is there a grinding or rattling sound when you try a gear?

What to avoid

Do not rev the engine with the lever in gear, and do not keep working the lever hard. If a linkage is bent or a cable has slipped off, force can bend the next part. If the problem is inside, extra tries just add noise and heat. A tow is cheaper than a second repair.

Getting it to the shop

If you are stranded, stay in a safe spot and ask your roadside plan or a towing company for a tow, then call the shop so they know it is coming. The getting a car that won't move to the shop guide lists what to say to a dispatcher and what to bring.

What the shop checks first

Fluid level and condition come first, then the shifter cable and linkage at the transmission end, then the range sensor. If those are in order, the focus moves inside. A scan for codes helps; a code such as the P0705 range sensor circuit can narrow the field before anything comes apart.