Q: Transmission shifts only to first and second gear - 1994 Chevrolet C3500

asked by on September 10, 2016

While I was reversing the other day, I accidentally pulled forward and then back again. Then, the truck remained motionless. I put it in reverse and the same thing happened. After that, I found out the transmission would shift only into first and second gear. It has a 4-speed manual transmission. Now, the reverse, third and fourth gear quit working. Is my transmission going out? Is there any way to fix this?

Car does not shift from park to drive Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

It is possible you have a broken shift selector pin or shift fork (3rd/4thh gear). This needs a good look by a professional mechanic. A YourMechanic professional can help with this inability to shift issue.

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 four-wheel anti-lock brake system?
You have two braking systems on your car – the standard system that kicks in when you press the brake pedal under normal conditions and a four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS). The ABS works only under certain conditions. It’s tied...
May need new alternator
You may have a bad alternator, but I get a lot of customers who think that the alternator is bad, when the problem is actually with the battery or its terminals. I recommend that you have a mechanic, like the...
Car jumping and trying to stall when started
There are many possibilities that could cause your concern. The most likely cause would be one of the engine sensors not reading correctly. If the computer isn't getting the right info, the engine may not be able to continue running...
Truck shaking at steady speeds at about 40 kmph
Erratic shifting into gears too early will cause overloading of the engine and the shaking you feel. An engine that misfires under load may miss when at this speed before shifting into overdrive. If the transmission is shifting into overdrive...
Transmission stuck in park
In order to shift out of park, the transmission module needs to see the engine idling and the brake pedal depressed. If one of these criteria is not met, then it will not let you shift out of park. There...
Ocassional shifting problems
Hello there, a few different faults could cause the vehicle to shift poorly. The most common would be low transmission fluid level (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service), a shift solenoid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/downshift-solenoid-replacement), transmission linkage damaged, or a transmission range sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-position-sensor-switch-replacement). Always the first thing...
Radiator hose rubbing on pully or a belt
If the accident caused the hose to move closer to the pulley then you may not have much choice but to get the body shop to pull the frame back. If you can move the hose then you could use...
Hi I have this dtc:P0698 description (failure of wiring and connection. failure of spark plug control module) engin no start
Hi there. Typically this is a failure in the ignition control circuit. Most of the time it is a wiring failure going to the ignition coils such as a bad ground connection. It can also be caused by a failure...
My car feels as if I am driving it in neutral but I'm not.. my RPM will go up but I cant accel over 20mph. Only happens sometimes
Hi there. This may be a sign of a faulty transmission control solenoid or simply low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service). Modern automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car's computer activates...

Related articles

How Can I Tell If My Clutch Is Slipping?
For some drivers, shifting a manual transmission is second nature. Others prefer to rely on automatic transmissions. Drivers of automatic vehicles don’t have...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Kickdown Cable
If you feel that your car's transmission is shifting roughly, too fast, or too slow, you may need to replace the kickdown cable.
How to Replace a Transmission Speed Sensor
Transmission speed sensors accurately calculate a car's road speed. If this sensor is faulty, a Check Engine Light will indicate the driver.