Not all of us will be able to drive a vehicle without the reverse gear, and that’s perfectly fine. The key is to learn how your car works before you find yourself trying to put the car into reverse gear on an icy road or navigate through congested traffic. If you are unsure about which gear your car was designed for, research your vehicle and see what gear works best for each model.
A common reason for a car not going in reverse is that its gear selector lacks the reverse gear. If your car only has one gear, then it may not have the gear you need to move it backward. You can tell if the car comes with a reverse gear by looking for “R” or “H” in the car model number somewhere on the body of the vehicle (e.g., on a bumper sticker).
- Low Transmission Fluid Level (Automatic)
Transmission fluid uses force to move your car from one gear to another. When you’re low on transmission fluid, it can be hard to move the car. If you are able to drive your car, but you have no idea why it won’t go forward or backward, then check the transmission fluid level. If the level is too low or if there is metal in it, it might be a sign that there is some damage to your transmission fluid.
- Old Or Dirty Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid, or gearbox oil if it’s a manual gearbox, will become less effective at lubricating the gearbox over time due to driving. This can lead to problems with the performance of the transmission, and it will usually change from bright red in color to dark brown or black when it is worn out.
- A Faulty Transmission Position Sensor
A bad transmission position sensor can cause problems with your car’s transmission. A faulty position sensor will usually trigger error code P0705 – Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input). An error will be triggered if the sensor sends an out-of-range signal to the ECU with no signal or a signal while the vehicle is moving.
- Gear Lever Sensor (Automatic)
If you cannot move the car from Neutral, it is likely that your transmission control module is defective. This would most likely be caused by a faulty gear stick sensor or a wiring issue. To diagnose this, connect your car’s diagnostic tool and see what information it gets from the gear stick sensor. If this happens, turn off the engine and disconnect the battery ground. Then check all connections with a voltmeter and make sure all parts are secured, including wires and the connection points themselves.
- Faulty Valve Body (Automatic)
Replacing a valve body is expensive, and you can’t diagnose if it’s bad until you actually replace it. Fortunately, we have replacement parts for common problems that only affect performance or appearance. You can count on us for quality replacements for problems like this one!
- Faulty Gear Shifter mechanism (Manual)
Automatic transmissions are designed to hold more fluid than manual transmissions. The fluid acts as a lubricant in the transmission but can go dry over time without proper maintenance. Make sure you use quality fluids like Automatic Transmission Fluid or Automatic Transmission Fluid 400.
- Problem With The Shift Selector Mechanism
The most common problem is with the cables that connect the shifter linkage assembly to the transmission. If these cables become damaged as you drive, it can prevent you from selecting the reverse gear.
Wrapping Up
If you’re having an issue with your car’s transmission, don’t panic: there are a few easy things you can do to get back on the road. You can begin by making sure you have the right fluid level, and sometimes even if your vehicle is still under warranty, replacing just part of a transmission can cost hundreds of dollars.
