A car that doesn’t shift out of park won’t take you anywhere. If your transmission refuses to shift gears, you probably want to figure out the cause. Continue reading to find out why your car’s gear shifter sticks in place.
An Impaired Parking Pawl
A metal pin locks into a notched ring in the transmission’s output shaft. Whenever shifting the car into park, the parking pawl engages so the vehicle stays in place. Shifting into a different gear will disengage the parking pawl and allow the transmission output shaft to engage the wheels. If it is broken or worn down, shifting gears can become an issue.
Placing the car in park before setting the emergency brake causes wear on the pawl, and the weight of the vehicle rests on the metal pin. As a result, it can be challenging to shift out of park.
A Faulty Shift Interlock Solenoid
The shift interlock solenoid prevents the driver from moving the vehicle out of park without pressing the brake pedal. A worn shift interlock can cause the gear shifter to stick in place, even if your foot is on the brake.
Many vehicles have a shifter release that will resolve the issue. However, it’s not available on all cars. The best way to ensure your vehicle shifts safely is to have an automotive technician inspect the issue.
A Damaged Shifter Cable
The shifter cable connects the shifter’s handle to the automatic transmission. When you move the shifter, the transmission follows through. A stuck shifter won’t reflect the change. The car will remain in park because of a faulty shifter cable connection. There might be chips in the plastic or corrosion in the gearbox causing this malfunction.
An Insufficient Supply of Transmission Fluid
Automatic cars depend on transmission fluid to function. Too little fluid in the reservoir means the transmission isn’t lubricated. As a result, the gears are more likely to stick and resist shifting.
A Worn-Out Clutch
Manual transmissions rely on the clutch to shift gears. The part can wear down over time due to incorrect or excessive usage. When the clutch doesn’t work, the transmission cannot receive the signal to shift. Replacing the clutch on your manual transmission should return the vehicle’s ability to shift gears.
Ensure your transmission shifts smoothly with Transparts Warehouse’s standard transmission parts. Our website includes a wide selection of items that are specially made to your vehicle’s make and model.
