Q: Car doesn't move when in gear 2007 Ford Focus

asked by on March 10, 2017

Car will go into gear but won't move.

My car has 1000000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Gears slipping when accelerating Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello - there are several possibilities here: first, perhaps the shifter cable(s) have broken, or detached themselves from the shifter or transmission, and you’re not really in gear (hope for this - this is the least expensive to fix. Second - a spider gear or shaft in the differential portion of the transaxle may have broken, creating a break in the "power path" to the wheels (might well be grinding or metallic knocking noises from under the hood). Third - the cluch disc may have come apart, which would also create noise. Fourth - a shaft, gear or bearing in the transaxle may have failed - also causing noise. I recommend a transmission inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the AdvanceTrac® Off Light mean on the dash?
While your car’s traction control system is designed to stay on at all times, there may actually be times that you need to turn it off. For instance, turning off the AdvanceTrac® system when you are stuck in mud or...
Car vibrating and making starnge sound when driven faster than 15 MPH.
It sounds as if a piece of plastic trim for your wheel-well area or the underside of your vehicle is rubbing against the tire while it is rotating. I would first walk around your vehicle and take a look inside...
Convertible top stuck partially open
There is a technical service bulletin from Volkswagen for updated programming to remedy inconsistent operation of the convertible top; you may want to take your Eos to a dealer to get the update. Also, disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes,...
Short-term fuel trim swinging plus or minus 10% during driving
Yes, this is normal when you accelerate and decelerate. Your vehicle will add fuel at times, and when you take your foot off the gas, it will subtract. This is normal for any vehicle, even my Toyota does this. Once...
The car pulls to the left after it gets warmed up
Hello! I believe the problem you are having may be to do with the electric steering system. I would suggest having that checked out by a capable technician. Also you mentioned that the alignment has been done. Compare the readings...
EGR GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM VALVE 2
The color (black) is just a consequence of "carbon particles" that are normally present in the exhaust flow through the valve. We would need the exact Diagnostic Trouble Code ("DTC" as displayed on the Code Scanner) in order to advise...
Throttle Position Sensor replacement - Re-learn Needed?
Hello - there is a step missing in your throttle position sensor replacement, and that is the "re-learn" procedure. This step allows the engine computer, transmission controller and other components of engine management to "learn" the specific behavior of the...
Car slowly lost power and wouldn't accelerate. Then when I pulled over and it started smoking and now it won't start.
Check the back of the engine by the firewall for any burned wires. It is possible that the harness to the engine has fallen down onto the exhaust manifold and is burning through. The wires may have shorted to the...
2003 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS: fixed oil leak, replaced gaskets on exhaust, intake, and cyclinder head. Car now idles rough/stalls
It is possible that you could have a vacuum leak. I would recommend having your vehicle smoke tested to determine where the source of the leak is. Perhaps the intake gaskets are not properly seared causing an incorrect air fuel...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Interior Designer
As As an interior designer, you need to transport a great many different items, including fabric, paint and wallpaper samples and sometimes even furniture items. You probably don’t handle overly large loads very often, and when you have to, you’ll...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're an Uber or Lyft Driver
Are Are you thinking of becoming a driver for Uber or Lyft? That could be an exciting career change – you’ll get to meet a lot of interesting people, and if you love to drive, what better way to spend...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a General Contractor
If If you're a general contractor, you probably aren’t in the market for a used car. More likely, you’re looking for a pickup truck, because you need to haul equipment and supplies to various job sites. Most contractors will likely...