Q: Motor making a weird noise

asked by on January 27, 2016

The car will not go in reverse. I believe it is the vehicle's speed sensor or transmission sensor.

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

Hi. Unfortunately, I doubt this is a sensor problem. The transmission control module (TCM) uses input from the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) to regulate line pressure for shift timing and for torque converter clutch (TCC) application. A failed VSS can result in abnormal shifting, lack of TCC application, and loss of high gears. The Transmission range sensor (TR) is used to determine the desired transmission gear and to control mainline pressure. A failed TR can cause harsh shifting engagement or a no start condition. Neither of these items would result in losing only reverse. It sounds like you are having an internal transmission problem. A trained mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, will be able to inspect the shifting problem further and give you an accurate explanation of what the problem is.

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

Car turning over slowly.
Hi, the first thing I would check to see if the battery terminals are corroded. If so I would have a technician such as one from YourMechanic clean the battery terminals and then test the battery. If the battery is...
Car will not shift into fourth gear - 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300SE
Hello. I would check the condition of the transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) first as well as the level. If the fluid is old or low then this will occur. If the fluid smells burnt or has debris in it then the...
Car is bogging and losing power - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
It is not unusual for there to be multiple failures when there is an engine management problem, particularly on a high miles engine, so the issue you had with the defective MAF sensor may simply have been just one of...
The emergency brake light on the dashboard wont turn off
The parking brake and fluid level is the only input to turn on the light but this system uses additional inputs from the ABS and traction control to input to microprocessor circuits that can turn on the indicator in the...
Hi Guys My car doesn't want to select gears anymore. I have to force the gear in everytime. could it be a problem with the gearbox
The problem may be the transmission clutch is not disengaging enough to allow the gear change. Have the clutch checked first for proper operation. If clutch is operating good then the problem is with the synchronized gears inside the transmission...
Hesitation when accelerating
There are a number of things that may cause the car to hesitate (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-hesitates-during-acceleration-inspection) when accelerating such as low fuel pressure, a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor, clogged or dirty fuel injectors, a faulty throttle position sensor or...
My car is spitting out coolant when I press on the gas w/ radiator cap on. What could this be?
You either have a leak, the car is overheating and/or there is exhaust leaking into the coolant causing the cooling system to be over pressurized and thence "leaking". To determine which of these issues is involved, I would suggest have...
2016 chevy malibu 1.5 eco tec turbo 49000 miles on it at gm dealer. just called me and said the problem is beyond the recall and h
Although there are 7 recalls on your model, none of those recalls involve the engine itself. The dealer might be referring to a special "service campaign" but those are not recalls. I do see in the NHTSA database (http://www.safercar.gov) some...
There is green fluid that came pouring out from the bottom of my car up by the driver side tire. I have 2009 nissan Maxima.
Green fluid in most cases is going to be coolant. If the car is running you will usually notice some sharp smelling steam as well. Best to stop driving the car until you can locate and repair the leak. The...

Related articles

How Long Does an Ignition Switch Last?
Most Most car owners fail to realize just how much work getting a car started is. In order for this process to work the right way, a variety of different parts on the car will have to work in unison....
How to Replace an Ignition Ignitor
The ignition ignitor sends a signal to supply power and start the engine. A common sign of failure is a disruption in the engine's starting process.
How to Adjust Timing on a Car
A well timed ignition will allow the engine to run powerfully and efficiently. The timing needs adjustment when the engine runs too lean or too rich.