Why Can't an Automatic Transmission Car Shift Gears?
3 Answers
Reasons why an automatic transmission car can't shift gears: 1. The gear lock is engaged; 2. The P-lock mechanism is stuck and cannot reset; 3. The shift solenoid is damaged and cannot execute the shift command; 4. The gear cable is damaged or broken; 5. The control computer is malfunctioning. The parking method for an automatic transmission car is: After the car enters the parking space, first press the brake and shift to N gear, then pull up the handbrake, release the foot brake and turn off the engine, and finally shift to P gear and remove the key. The driving method for an automatic transmission car: After inserting the key for a few seconds, do not start the engine immediately, as this may cause damage to the car. At this time, you need to press the brake, shift the car to N gear, then start the engine, press the foot brake, release the handbrake, shift to D gear, and slowly release the foot brake to allow the car to move forward slowly.
It's really frustrating when you can't shift gears in an automatic transmission. Once, my old car got stuck in the P position, and after struggling for a while, I found out that the small button under the gear lever was jammed—you can't shift gears if this thing isn't pressed down. Another time, a friend's car didn't respond when shifting, and it turned out the brake light switch was broken, which is linked to the gear lock. If you smell something burning and have difficulty shifting gears, it's likely that the transmission fluid has burned, and you need to get it fixed immediately. The scariest was when my car's wheel got stuck on a curb in a mall parking lot, causing the P position to lock. In the end, we had to lift the wheel slightly to unlock it. Never force the gear lever—first try pressing the brake hard and restarting the vehicle. If that doesn't work, calling a tow truck is the safest option.
With over a decade of car repair experience, I've seen countless cases of gear engagement failure. The most common issue is a broken detent spring in the shift mechanism – like the Camry last week where we found the spring shattered into three pieces. Electronic shift lever models are trickier, often caused by water ingress short-circuiting the gear position sensor, with diagnostic tools showing multiple error codes. Once, a customer's aftermarket floor mat jammed the brake pedal, preventing brake signal transmission to the transmission. If you hear a 'click' noise during shifting, it usually indicates a solenoid valve failure in the transmission valve body. Remember: during winter warm-up, wait before shifting – cold transmission fluid causes sluggish gear changes.
