Q: Car not shifting correctly

asked by on February 08, 2016

My car is not going into reverse. First gear is down where Reverse should be; Second is hard to get into. The tachometer works intermittently.

Car is hard to shift Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The gear shifting mechanism or cables are causing a problem due to a bad bushing, or lever out of adjustment. If all the cables and bushings are okay, then you possibly have an inside shift fork problem. The cables should be inspected before the inside transmission forks are looked at. I recommend having a mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, determine the source and cause of your shifting issue, and recommend a path to repair.

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 is the anti-lock brake self-test?
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) on your car is designed to conduct a self-test every time you crank the engine. During the test, the ABS light on the dash will turn on, and then should go out after a few...
How does the rear window defroster work?
Your car is equipped with both a front and rear defroster. While the front defrost is tied into your air conditioning system and uses the fan, the rear defrost is different. Here’s what you need to know to work it:...
What does the brake Warning Light mean?
The brake system Warning Light is located on your instrument panel, and can come on for three reasons: The parking brake is engaged. The brake fluid is low. The brake system is malfunctioning. If the illuminated light is accompanied by...
Brakes leaking near rear left side tire
Hello. A brake fluid leak from the rear tire area could be a broken line or wheel cylinder. Brake fluid leaks can be extremely dangerous and lead to loss of braking ability. I suggest you have the brake fluid leak...
Check Engine Light is on - 2005 Dodge Stratus
You can keep replacing parts but until you get the codes in the computer diagnosed properly the Check Engine Light will keep coming on. The O2 sensors may give indications that they're not working when they are only indicating the...
Bank 1 air fuel imbalance alarm car is misfire after it gets hot ok up till that time
Hi there. Check the spark plugs and see if the plugs have a good bold spark. If the plugs are not sparking, then either the plugs are fouled out or the ignition coils are not energizing. Check the fuel injectors...
I think the anti-lock security on my car is active and it doesn't start.
Hi there. Look at the anti-theft system on the vehicle and see if the light is flashing. If the light is flashing, then remove the battery cables and leave them off for 13 minutes. While the cables are off, put...
Ticking sound
Hi There, This kind of ticking sound is usually related to valve train noise that is caused by the lack of oil circulation or out of adjustment valve train components. This is somewhat common to a certain extent when the...
Computer says crankshaft position sensor. Already changed it to a new one amd original and still check engine light on and have tr
Hi Gibran. This is a rather common problem. In most cases, when you have an error code trapped in the ECU, and a repair is made, there are two reasons why the light would continue to trigger. First, you have...

Related articles

How Long Does a Slave Cylinder Last?
Your Your slave cylinder is within a sealed system, so it will generally last a very long time, and may never have to be replaced. The key word here is, of course “may.” If you’re in the habit of buying...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Need a Lot of Trunk Space
Many Many people focus more on interior room than cargo carrying capacity. That’s natural if you have a large family or regularly carpool, but what about drivers who need to carry a lot of stuff most of the time and...
Ten Sports Cars That Double as Good Daily Drivers
The best daily driver is a car that's reliable, usable, and still fun to drive. Popular daily sports cars include the BMW M3, Subaru WRX, and VW GTI.