Why can't the car start and the gear can't be shifted?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why the car can't start and the gear can't be shifted: 1. No fuel: If the fuel gauge shows below the red line, the car naturally won't start. 2. Dead battery: This could be due to a drained battery from leaving the headlights on for too long or the battery's lifespan has expired. It is generally recommended to replace the battery every 2 years. Additionally, installing xenon headlights, high-power audio systems, DVD players, etc., can also cause vehicle circuit failures. Checking for a dead battery is simple—just press the horn to find out. 3. Incorrect gear position: When starting an automatic transmission car, the gear must be in the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position. If it's in R (Reverse) or D (Drive), the car won't start. Some manual transmission cars also won't start if the clutch isn't pressed.
That winter when I went out, the car just wouldn't start, and the gear was stuck in P position. My first thought was the battery issue, especially since batteries are prone to fail in winter. Using a multimeter, I measured the voltage to be less than 10 volts—sure enough, the battery was done for. I also checked the steering wheel lock and found it was indeed locked, which can also prevent gear shifting. The brake pedal was unusually hard to press, probably due to insufficient vacuum boost. In the end, I had to jump-start the car with a friend's help and drove to the repair shop for a thorough check. A new battery solved the problem. The mechanic also mentioned that the vehicle's anti-theft system can sometimes cause trouble, but that wasn't the case this time. It's really important to keep an eye on the battery's condition, especially for older cars, to avoid being stranded halfway.
