CAR JUST REVS IN REVERSE, DOENS’T MOVE.

ANSWER : This is a known issue with the Chevy Malibu and is oftentimes related to the pressure control valve in the transmission. The pressure control valve regulates the flow of transmission fluid in the transmission and when it is not working properly, it can cause the car to react much like you describe.

I would recommend having a qualified mechanic diagnose the shaking issue and recommend the best path to repair.

ANSWER : Hi there – thinking about the sequence of events you describe, it seems clear that the gear shifter linkage – probably the shifter cable attachments – was disassembling itself, leaving the transmission in Reverse. In the end, the starter interlock doesn’t sense Park or Neutral, it will no longer start the engine. I recommend a shifter inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

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].

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The color and condition of the transmission fluid should be a huge indicator. Low transmission fluid is one of the leading causes of issues with the transmission. You will want to start by refilling the transmission fluid, following manufacturer directions and specifications on the type and the amount of fluid. If this makes a difference, then you know the lack of good hydraulic fluid in the system was the immediate cause of your problems. This does not always mean that the transmission is not having other issues, as burnt fluid is not a good sign in a vehicle that is only 6 years old. Burnt fluid can also be a sign of how hard the vehicle is being driven. If filling the transmission with fresh fluid does not solve the issue, then the transmission needs to be inspected by a transmission specialist. Unless properly trained, automatic transmissions are incredibly difficult to work on at home.

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.

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.

ANSWER : Hi there. Usually when you shift into reverse and engage the brake it will cause the engine RPM to drop; as it’s creating a load against the transmission and the engine. If the engine stalls, it may be caused by a faulty idle control valve, bad O2 sensors, or clogged fuel injectors.

In regards to the "pan", we’re not sure what you are referring, so it may be a good idea to contact one of our local professional mechanics to complete a battery inspection to determine what’s going on with your 2010 Ford Focus.

ANSWER : It sounds like you have a CV joint that has failed. The CV joints are the couplings between the axle and the front wheels that enable power to be transmitted through the shaft to a wheel that is being steered. When a joint is going bad, they begin to make a "popping" sound, most often while the car is being steered sharply as in parking. Eventually, when the joint fails completely, there will be no connection between the axle and the wheel so the engine just freewheels and the car goes nowhere. When you tried to put the car into park, the sound you heard was the parking pawl trying to engage while the transmission was turning. Since there was no connection between the wheel and the axle, applying the brake did not stop the transmission from turning so it;s just like trying to engage park while you are moving. The good news is it’s probably not that big a deal to fix Unless the parking pawl on the transmission was damaged, replacing the CV joint could be all that you need. Contact Your Mechanic, and they can send a technician to your home or office to check out your CV joints and tell you what can be done about them.