Why doesn't the automatic transmission move when shifted to D gear and accelerating?
3 Answers
The reasons why an automatic transmission doesn't move when shifted to D gear and accelerating are as follows: 1. Insufficient transmission fluid. 2. Low internal oil pressure. 3. Incorrect gear switch signal. 4. Issues with the shift solenoid wiring or the solenoid itself. 5. Problems with the internal transmission actuators. Here is some extended information about automatic transmission gears: 1. P gear is the parking gear, used for long-term parking of the vehicle. 2. R gear is the reverse gear, engaged when the vehicle needs to move backward. 3. N gear is the neutral gear, engaged when the vehicle is parked for a short time without turning off the engine. 4. D gear is the drive gear; when the gear lever is in D gear, the vehicle automatically shifts gears based on throttle opening and speed data. 5. S gear is the sport mode, making the vehicle drive more sportily. 6. M gear refers to manual mode; when the gear lever is in M gear, shifting is done manually by the driver. 7. L gear is the low gear.
The last time I encountered this situation was driving in the rain. I put the car in D gear and stepped on the gas, but it wouldn’t move. I panicked and quickly checked the handbrake, only to find it was already released. A roadside mechanic later told me that the most common causes for this issue are deteriorated transmission fluid or a broken torque converter—insufficient oil pressure can’t drive the wheels. He also mentioned that if the engine warning light on the dashboard is on, it might be an issue with the car’s computer. In the end, it turned out my car’s brake caliper was stuck, and the brake pads were fused to the rotor, preventing the wheels from turning. His advice was to avoid flooring the gas in such cases, as it could damage the transmission, and instead call a tow truck to have a professional check the braking system and transmission.
Last month, my wife encountered a situation where the car wouldn't move when shifted into D gear while driving to the supermarket. She was sweating in the parking lot, calling me in panic to ask what to do. I told her to shift back to P gear and then try D gear again, but it still didn't work. This issue could be quite complex, such as the transmission solenoid valve being clogged with dirt, or the gear position sensor malfunctioning. It could also be a major problem like a broken engine output shaft. Later, after towing it to the 4S shop for inspection, it was found that the electronic parking brake module had crashed, causing the rear wheels to lock. So now we've developed the habit of checking the dashboard prompts before starting the car, and stopping immediately to inspect if any abnormalities are detected.
