Q: Car wont shift into drive with dead battery

asked by on October 08, 2016

Does the vehicle require a charged battery to shift it into Drive? I just want to at least push the car to avoid a citation.

My car has 110000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Shift Interlock Solenoid Replacement $118.69 - $1255.66 Get a Quote

Rather than trying to shift into drive, try shifting into neutral. If you are trying to move the vehicle, drive will lock it in gear, but neutral will allow the wheels to spin freely. If you are having difficulties shifting out of park, you may be having an issue with the shift lock solenoid. There should be a manual shift release located somewhere near the shifter.

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

How do you clean the seat belts?
Cleaning your seat belts is important for a number of reasons. The most important is that dirt and grime can build up and prevent them from working properly, particularly if it gets into the guide/retractor. Here’s how to keep them...
Car won't start with new battery
If you just had a battery installed and the car will not start, it is possible that the technician who installed it did not get the battery cables tightened down to the battery terminals. I would recommend taking your vehicle...
10 amp fuse keeps blowing
Hello. If your meter fuse is blowing when you put the vehicle into drive then it is likely that your vehicle has some sort of wiring issue. If the issue occurs when you shift into drive, then it is likely...
The durango runs very rough after a loud pop.
This can happen for many reasons, however usually a loud pop or backfire is a sign of a lean fuel condition or an ignition timing problem. A lean fuel condition can be caused by a faulty mass air flow sensor...
Fumes from breather - 1995 Acura Integra
There will always be some kind of fumes coming out of the breather, but they should be invisible. If you can see smoke coming out of the breather, something is wrong. Excessive smoke out of the breather can be a...
the car kind of stall when car excellerate
The issue you are writing in about is fairly commonly encountered. If you request a diagnostic for engine hesitation (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-hesitates-during-acceleration-inspection) a certified mechanic will identify the underlying issue and that mechanic will also explain what has failed and the cost...
Cranks fine but wont start
There is quite a large number of possible issues that will cause a no start condition (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection). There could be a bad fuel pump, bad spark plugs, faulty ignition coil, or a failed camshaft, or crankshaft, sensor. Any of which...
Idle fluctuates and then stalls.
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a vacuum leak or potentially a dirty or faulty idle control valve. High idle speeds or in some cases rough idle, stalling and hissing sounds are common signs of a vacuum leak....

Related articles

The Top 5 Selling Cars in California in 2012
California California natives are notably environmentally conscious, and this often shows in their choices of vehicles as well. While trucks rarely make it to the top spots, hybrid vehicles are frequently on the list. Though previous years have seen the...
How to React If Your Battery Light is On
The battery light or charging warning light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/the-check-engine-light-demystified), available on the dashboard of your car, indicates malfunctioning or poor charging of the battery....
How to Attach a Car Battery-Mounted Power Cut-off Switch
Many Many people who store their vehicle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/preparing-your-car-for-long-term-storage) for a length of time like to disconnect the battery from the electrical system of the vehicle. This prevents the vehicle from unintentionally draining the battery. With the battery disconnected, the risks...