Why Doesn't the New Energy Vehicle Move When Shifted to D Gear?
4 Answers
If a new energy vehicle does not move when shifted to D gear, it is likely due to a signal error in the transmission shift valve position sensor, which prevents the system from recognizing the current gear, or issues with the shift valve itself, such as incomplete gear engagement or blocked oil passages. Below are some daily maintenance tips for new energy vehicles: 1. Avoid high-current discharge: When starting, carrying passengers, or going uphill, avoid sudden acceleration to prevent instantaneous high-current discharge. High-current discharge can lead to the formation of lead sulfate crystals, damaging the physical performance of the battery plates. 2. Prevent overheating of charging plugs: Loose 220V power plugs or charger output plugs, as well as oxidation on contact surfaces, can cause plug overheating. Prolonged overheating may result in short circuits or poor contact, damaging the charger and battery, leading to unnecessary losses. If such issues are detected, promptly clean the oxidation or replace the connectors. 3. Avoid storing the battery in a depleted state: Never store the battery in a depleted state, which occurs when the battery is not recharged promptly after use. Storing a battery in a depleted state can lead to sulfation, where lead sulfate crystals form on the plates, blocking ion channels and causing insufficient charging and reduced battery capacity. The longer the battery remains idle in a depleted state, the more severe the damage. Therefore, when the battery is not in use, recharge it at least once a month to maintain its health.
My electric car also had the issue of not moving when shifted to D gear before. I've summarized several common causes: First, the energy management protection kicked in. When the battery level drops below 15%, the car limits power to prevent a complete stall—just find a charging station quickly. Second, the electronic parking brake got stuck. Modern cars have auto-hold functions, and if the brake wasn’t fully pressed by mistake. Third, poor contact in the gear position sensor—try restarting the vehicle. Fourth, abnormal temperatures—either the battery being too cold in winter or the motor overheating can trigger protection. Last time, I forgot to turn off auto-hold, and after pressing the accelerator hard, the car suddenly zoomed forward.
Having repaired many new energy vehicles, D-gear failure is usually related to these modules: check if the 12V auxiliary battery voltage is below 11V, as power deficiency can paralyze the control system; then see if there is a turtle warning light or motor fault code on the dashboard; steering wheel lock-up may also restrict power; an improperly unplugged charging gun can force a power cut. Last week, I handled a BYD case where a misjudgment by the charging port sensor caused the vehicle to go into limp mode, and it took three plug-unplug cycles of the charging gun to restore normal operation. It's recommended to restart the vehicle's infotainment system first, as most electronic faults can be resolved with this trick.
My car had the same issue when it was new, and it turned out to be all about the operation. For example, cars with column shifter design need to be pulled down firmly twice to engage the D gear properly. Some models require holding the brake for 5 seconds to activate the system. Vehicles with hill start assist may automatically brake if the front radar mistakenly detects an obstacle. Blocking the key sensing area with metal objects is even worse—once a coin was left on the cup holder sensing area, and the car refused to move. Remember the operation mantra: press the brake firmly, shift into gear completely, release the handbrake, and apply power gently.
