Car has trouble moving forward and backwards. Do you know how to fix?
When put into drive the car has a squealing noise and trouble moving forward smoothly or backwards. Jerky motion and sometimes no movement at all.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
With the information given, a proper diagnosis cannot be given. However, hopefully we can steer you in a direction that will help.
At first it sounds like a clutch issue. The clutch may be failing to disengage entirely once the gear has been entered. This would explain the squealing you are hearing. If the clutch is not allowing the gear to be entered, the car will not move.
Without knowing if you have a manual or automatic transmission, we can not give you further information on the specific parts that may be at fault.
Depending on your level of experience, you will likely need help from a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, or a transmission specialist to properly diagnose the jerking and hesitation you’re experiencing.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
It could be caused by a number of things from low transmission fluid to bad alignment. Several things might be the cause of this issue. Most of them will need to be diagnosed and fixed by a mechanic. Before taking your car to the mechanic, you can attempt to drain and refill your transmission fluid.
Clogged Fuel Injectors
If you hear your car engine stuttering, then the injectors may not be providing an adequate amount of fuel. To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis. Using a fuel injector cleaning solution might eliminate the issue of the car jerking.
A Transmission Fault Shifting issues can sometimes cause your vehicle to feel like it is jerking when accelerating. If you have internal transmission damage, it can cause the gears to slip [and] engage over and over again, which feels like jerking when accelerating.
In addition to vibrations, a damaged mount also causes heavy jerks and jolts when you change gears, as the transmission too is attached to the engine unit. This jerk can be noticed at higher speeds, or simply when you change gears.
Grinding, Jerking, or Shaking Shaking and jerking are good indicators of transmission trouble. Gear grinding is a common symptom in manual transmission vehicles. Automatic transmission failure often begins with some hesitation during gears shifting. Some might describe this a “slipping,” as well.
The most likely reason that a car jerks when accelerating from stop is a problem with the clutch. It could be due to worn-out friction material or a pressure plate defect (or combination of both). It could also be caused by an oil leak contaminating the clutch plate.
Depending on the issue (low fluid is an easy DIY job), most transmission problems can only be properly diagnosed and repaired by a reputable mechanic. Most transmission repairs require specific tools and replacement parts to get them back up to speed.
When the transmission jerks between gears or the transmission is shifting hard, it should be taken as a warning that your transmission needs repair. When a transmission is shifting hard or slipping it`s time for an inspection.
A car that surges or jerks at high speed is potentially dangerous, especially in heavy traffic or in bad weather. If your vehicle jerks at high speed, you should stop driving it and have it inspected by a mechanic.
If you notice that your car jerks while you`re accelerating, this is an issue that you shouldn`t ignore. A jerking car is often a sign that your car will develop other problems if you don`t address this issue. Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky.
A car that surges or jerks at high speed is potentially dangerous, especially in heavy traffic or in bad weather. If your vehicle jerks at high speed, you should stop driving it and have it inspected by a mechanic.
The Vehicle Speed Sensor measures vehicle speed. When it fails the transmission can stop shifting or shift late and harsh. A bad VSS may also inhibit overdrive and the converter clutch.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My Car drives forward not backwards. In N and R rolles forward, but will not roll back. Have to lift front to move the car beck.
ANSWER : Hi there. Make sure the vehicle is on level ground with the engine warmed up when checking transmission fluid. Check the fluid for color, smell, and contamination as these could be telltale signs of what is occurring inside the transmission. It does sound like there is a shift solenoid that is not activating; this could be the 1-2 shift solenoid or the low/reverse solenoid depending on how many are in your particular transmission. These are simply valves that control the flow of hydraulic fluid used by the transmission control computer to determine the gear selection for the transmission. These solenoids can be manually activated in the same way you have described by selecting D1, D2, and so on. Since there was no change in the transmission operation when you selected D1, this could be a solenoid or electrical circuit fault. The solenoid could be mechanically broken/stuck or there could be an open circuit in the solenoid or the electrical circuit itself. Properly testing this system and components should be performed by a qualified technician and I strongly urge you utilize one for this inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a car does not move inspection [https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-does-not-move-when-i-step-on-the-gas-pedal-inspection].
Car has trouble moving forward and backwards. Do you know how to fix?
ANSWER : With the information given, a proper diagnosis cannot be given. However, hopefully we can steer you in a direction that will help.
At first it sounds like a clutch issue. The clutch may be failing to disengage entirely once the gear has been entered. This would explain the squealing you are hearing. If the clutch is not allowing the gear to be entered, the car will not move.
Without knowing if you have a manual or automatic transmission, we can not give you further information on the specific parts that may be at fault.
Depending on your level of experience, you will likely need help from a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, or a transmission specialist to properly diagnose the jerking and hesitation you’re experiencing.
I put the wrong key in my car and a few weeks later my car just shut down and it will not start I believe it’s the computer but…
ANSWER : Hi there. What had happened is the wrong key set the security to the vehicle. This is to prevent the vehicle from starting with the wrong keys. Try removing the battery cables (+) and (-) for 13 minutes. During that time, put the original key in the ignition and turn it on. Activate everything in the car even though there is no power. Then remove the key and hook up the battery cables. The computer should have reset and reset the security. If the security is still being tripped, then I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you
When I turn on my AC the radiator fans do not turn on. The fans do come on when the car warms up so I know they are working and the fuses are good. The AC compressor does come on and the air blows ice cold when the car is moving. Car is a 2006 Chrysler Sebring Sedan 2.7l v6.
ANSWER : The control circuit for the fans needs to be checked. For example, there is usually a condenser fan relay in the A/C electrical controls. There could be a fault with that relay and/or wiring problems, perhaps even just a loose connection, blown or loose fuse, and so forth. To resolve something like this, the recommended service is an electrical component diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic service, the responding certified mechanic will get the problem pinpointed and resolved. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
The driver’s seat will not move forward and backward. When I move it forward it makes a sound and then stops.
ANSWER : There is a small motor and worm gear inside the seat that moves to allow the adjustment of the angle of the back of the seat. The motor may have a malfunction or there may be an obstruction on the gear that is making the motor work much harder to move the seat until it stops to keep from overheating. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out to take a closer look at the malfunctioning seat adjuster and offer a more personal diagnosis.
Car won’t move. I can start the car but when I put the shifter in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect. The car will not move.
ANSWER : The transaxle is not engaging internally to the axle shafts inside the transaxle or you have one or both axle shafts disengaged from the transaxle. The fact that the speedometer moves when gear is engaged and clutch is released shows the speed sensor in the transaxle is getting turned.
You will need to have the vehicle raised and the axles inspected for broke or stripped shafts. If the axles do not have anything visually wrong with them then hold one wheel and try to turn the other wheel while transaxle is in gear, with engine off, to see if the wheels are locked together. When you spin one wheel the other wheel should turn in the opposite direction. If it does not then the problem is in the transaxle differential gears and the transaxle would need to be removed and disassembled to find the broken internal components.
If you need some assistance with this, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose your acceleration issue and help make the necessary repairs to get you going again.
Was driving then car would not move found 2 silver balls under car bearings i quess put it in gear and car will not move
ANSWER : If the balls are roughly 3/8th inch in diameter, they come from the CV joint at the end of the axle. The CV joint may be broken which would explain why the car won’t move. Replacing the axle is a straightforward, if mundane procedure, and so can be accomplished at your location on a mobile basis. To request axle inspection, and installation of a new axle if indicated, please use YourMechanic’s CV axle service page and the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. Please note that when an axle is replaced, best practice is to replace the transmission output seal because the old seal, if left in place, will commonly leak as it is disturbed during removal and replacement of the axle. Inasmuch as the seal is a rubber product, it has a decidedly finite lifetime. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Am I able to ask to keep the amount of money the insurance is going to pay to fix my totaled car to fix myself?
ANSWER : Hi there. In general, when the insurance company considers the vehicle a ’total loss’, they will send you the settlement amount, minus the deductible. However, every insurance company is different and unique in regards to their own regulations and policies. I would highly recommend calling your insurance company and clarify what they are willing to do to settle your claim.
