Q: My car starts in 3rd gear, it will shift to 4th but not to 5th, 1st, or 2nd.

asked by on December 26, 2016

Hello I'm just wanting to know what could be cursing the problem if I need a new gear box or if it's another problem

My car has 16500 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Warning Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

You might have an internal transmission failure, or you may have gone into a default mode. The ECU may have partially shut down because of a fault in the electronic control system and the car can still be operated in third and forth as a kind of limp home feature. Before you start tearing into the transmission, you need to have all the controllers in the car scanned for codes. It could really be a fault anywhere in the car because all of the ECU’s are sharing information with each other. To do this conveniently, you can Contact Your Mechanic to have a technician come to your home or office and scan the controllers for codes and recommend further action.

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

ABS and Service Traction Control lights on
Hello. Typically when both of these come on at the same time it is because of a failing wheel speed sensor. I would start though by checking the brake fluid level, as low brake fluid can also cause this. If...
Battery Light illuminated
The Battery Light on the dashboard typically indicates an issue concerning the vehicle's charging system. This usually points to an alternator that cannot maintain the charge of the battery. The alternator is on a fused circuit, and fuses should be...
Broken speedometer
Hi. The most common problem is the instrument cluster followed by the vehicle speed sensor on the transmission/transfer case(2wd/4wd). You will have to use a scan tool to determine if the VSS signal is reaching the instrument cluster. If you...
Noise coming from rear wheel
A rubbing or scrapping noise coming from the rear of this vehicle is most commonly caused by one of two things. The rear wheel bearings that are part of the rear hubs are going bad. These wheel bearings are not...
My 2003 Lincoln Ls is shaking I was told its my coils and that there is 8 of them they want to charge me almost 600.00 seems awfu
Shaking or vibration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-shaking-pulsating-or-vibrating-inspection) may be caused by many different things such as faulty spark plugs, poor fuel pressure or misfires. Other things such as a faulty idle air control valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idle-control-valve-replacement) may cause the engine idle to drop below...
Lower control arm assembly comes with ball joint for a lexus nx2oot
The OEM (dealer) parts are sold separately, that is you have to buy the ball joint and the control arm individually, if you desire both parts. In the aftermarket, you can buy a complete assembly, that is a control arm...
What if oil is getting in my turbo on 2008 Audi 4
If you are getting excessive oil inside the turbo on this engine then you need to check the turbo shaft play to see if it moves side to side or up and down indication of worn turbo bearing and possible...
MY THERMOSTAT HOUSING IS LEAKING IN MY 2013 CHRYSLER 200 AND WAS ADV I NEED THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THERMOSTAT REPLACEMENT TO THE T
Hi there. If your engine is overheating due to the thermostat issue, I would recommend having it fixed ASAP without driving the vehicle frequently. If you have a coolant leak but the engine is not overheating, you should be ok...
Gear linkage
This will have to be inspected and diagnosed first hand to resolve as it is not clear exactly why the problem exists and the relevant sections of the Factory Service Manual are several pages long, too long to reproduce here....

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Honda Ridgeline
The The 2012 Honda Ridgeline is built on the Pilot SUV configuration and welded as a single unit, resulting in a five passenger truck that delivers a decidedly carlike ride. With fuel efficiency that is comparable to many midsize SUVs,...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Wedding Planner
As As a wedding planner, the demands placed on your time are going to be significant, even if you’re only dealing with one or two couples. You need to be a master juggler when it comes to your time and...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for College Students
You’ve You’ve done it – high school is officially behind you. Now it’s time to head off to a brand new world. College is that and more and you may need a car during your pursuit of a higher education....