what do i do when my car works in reverse but dosent work on drive, what can i do

my car only work on reverse but cant drive
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Of course, try the manual selections for the gears, as available, such a "1", "2", L, and so forth. If those still work, that may help you to at least move the car. No operation in drive could be due to low fluid level, a shift cable adjustment problem, a hydraulic leak (internal), a broken band, a faulty solenoid, a faulty valve body, a clutch pack piston leak, and so forth. With such a "total" failure (versus an intermittent problem) the good news is the diagnostic is more straightforward. Some of the causes just identified can be fixed without removing the transmission. However, if the clutch pack is bad or a band is broken, the transmission has to be removed from the car and usually the optimal strategy, for long run use of the car, is to thoroughly rebuild the transmission if it is already off the car. Transmissions are actually easier to work on, and repair, in many, many respects, compared to engines, so you needn’t worry as what you have will be fixable. If you want to schedule a diagnostic of this issue, please use YourMechanic’s shift failure diagnostic service page. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get the underlying issue identified and let you know of your repair options. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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Your Lexus won`t go in reverse for several reasons ranging from a brake light switch, low transmission fluid level, and even a dead battery.
Just as you learned what happens with low transmission fluid, dirty fluid, or a clogged filter can cause similar transmission troubles and create a car that won`t back up in reverse. Improper lubrication from old fluid or debris in contaminated fluid will affect how the transmission shifts into reverse or other gear.
If your RX 350 has slow acceleration and does not give enough power, it is most likely due to a problem with the engine itself. Many common causes of engine problems, such as worn spark plugs or a dirty air filter, can cause the engine to run slowly. Some customers think premium gas will help.
How Long Will the 2009 Lexus RX Last? A well-maintained 2009 Lexus RX can easily last over 300,000 miles, which is twice as long as competitors like the Mercedes M-Class. Regular annual maintenance costs are good for a luxury SUV, at only $527 per year, according to Repair Pal.
On a manual transmission vehicle, misadjusted shift linkage and damaged or stretched shift cables can keep the reverse gearset from locking when moving the shifter. With an automatic transmission, bad cables or misadjusted linkage can make the shift indicator point to Reverse when you`re actually in Neutral.
The type of symptoms you are describing (with the reverse problems) are typically caused by obstruction of debris in the hydraulic lines of the transmission – so a flush and filter change is likely going to clear up your issue.
Problems Reversing – One common problem that can happen with a clogged filter is difficulty moving in reverse. The lack of fluid flowing through the transmission can cause the reverse gear to lock. This may prevent the car from going in reverse altogether, or it may cause it to hesitate before launching into reverse.
Culprits include a dirty fuel filter, clogged fuel tank strainer, clogged or failing fuel injectors, or a defective fuel pump. On most vehicles replacing the fuel filter is a DIY operation.
An indication that a vehicle is not receiving the right mixture of air and fuel is if the vehicle jerks or surges forward at high speed. Several components of the fuel or air intake system could cause this jerking or surging sensation to happen. Issues within these systems can also cause fuel economy to worsen.
One of the most important reasons for a car struggling to accelerate is clogged or dirty car parts. The reason is that they cause the engine to lose power. We can sort significant car parts affecting acceleration as air filters, mass air flow sensor, exhaust system, and fuel system.
They changed to the chains in the 07 RX350s and the advantage to the 09 model I had been considering had a timing chain and there was no scheduled maintenance/mileage to work on the chain (unlike the timing belts which need replacing every 100k miles and are quite expensive) and no need to do any work on the chain or …
The best RX models most likely to yield a great experience are those from 2014 and 2018. These vehicle have fewer reported problems than other years. Costing $10,000 less than a 2020 model and likely still having factory coverage, the 2018 Lexus RX is the best year of the vehicle to have sitting in your driveway.
But if the solenoid malfunctions mechanically, no reverse or delayed and slipping reverse may occur.
If when you put your vehicle into gear and it won`t move, this may be a problem with low transmission fluid due to a leak, the shifter, shifter cable, or it could even be a problem in the valve body of your automatic transmission.
A failing transmission position sensor may no longer send the right signals to the Powertrain Control Module, or PCM. Without signals from the position sensor, the PCM will no longer know when to shift the transmission`s gears out of park into a moving gear. Transmission shifts into the wrong gear.
The transmission position sensor is usually screwed onto the side of your car`s transmission. As you move the automatic gear selector from park/neutral to drive or reverse, it detects the changes. It then enables and disables the connection to the starter motor circuit, affecting your car`s ability to start.
A transmission rebuild cost averages $3,000. In comparison, a transmission replacement cost averages $6,500. Finally, a transmission repair will cost approximately $800. Since these prices can vary significantly, you should talk to a local auto shop to determine the exact transmission repair cost for your vehicle.
However, a defective speed sensor is viable by an illuminated warning light on the dashboard, signalling that it`s time to repair or replace the speed sensor. These are the major causes that hamper the transmission system, due to which the car won`t go in reverse sometimes.
If your Lexus is having trouble accelerating, it could be a sign that there`s an issue with the gas tank. If the tank isn`t able to hold enough gas, or if the gas isn`t flowing properly, it can cause the car to have difficulty accelerating. Also, check the fuel line to see if there are any blockages.
Worn Transmission Fluid (Automatic Transmission)

Over time, the transmission fluid gathers dirt and grime. This can cause the engine to run roughly, stall or fail to accelerate when you press down on the gas pedal. You may need to have a transmission fluid change before more damage is done.

If you`re driving at freeway speeds and notice your engine sputter or jerk, you may have a failing fuel pump. This problem is caused when the fuel pump can`t deliver a smooth flow of fuel to the engine; periodically, your engine receives only air when it was expecting to receive fuel.
An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
If a spark plug or multiple spark plugs are faulty, they will have trouble creating the spark that causes the ignition process in your vehicle. This results in your vehicle having trouble starting, hesitating or having issues with accelerating properly.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

The engine stalls when I put the car in reverse, but if I go past reverse into drive there is not an issue.
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.

My car will only shift into reverse and neutral, can’t get it into the drive gear
ANSWER : This may be a result of low transmission fluid or potentially a faulty transmission control module. A faulty transmission control module may cause a delay in acceleration or erratic shifting of gears. The transmission control module has various sensors such as vehicle speed sensors, wheel speed sensors, throttle position sensors, turbine speed sensor, and transmission fluid temperature sensors that all direct information to it in order for it to perform it’s function. Other functions controlled by the TCM are components such as a kick down switch, traction control system, and cruise control module. Any of these may also affect the way the transmission control module performs and controls the transmission and the shifting of your vehicle. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your location to properly diagnose your transmission problem.

I put my car into drive but it reverses 2003 Ford Mustang
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.

Alternator belt got torn whilst driving and had new belt fixed but the car won’t move on drive or reverse after few seconds drive
ANSWER : This is a sign of a faulty transmission control solenoid. Modern automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect your vehicle, and provide a definitive diagnosis for the shifting issue.

what do i do when my car works in reverse but dosent work on drive, what can i do
ANSWER : Of course, try the manual selections for the gears, as available, such a "1", "2", L, and so forth. If those still work, that may help you to at least move the car. No operation in drive could be due to low fluid level, a shift cable adjustment problem, a hydraulic leak (internal), a broken band, a faulty solenoid, a faulty valve body, a clutch pack piston leak, and so forth. With such a "total" failure (versus an intermittent problem) the good news is the diagnostic is more straightforward. Some of the causes just identified can be fixed without removing the transmission. However, if the clutch pack is bad or a band is broken, the transmission has to be removed from the car and usually the optimal strategy, for long run use of the car, is to thoroughly rebuild the transmission if it is already off the car. Transmissions are actually easier to work on, and repair, in many, many respects, compared to engines, so you needn’t worry as what you have will be fixable. If you want to schedule a diagnostic of this issue, please use YourMechanic’s shift failure diagnostic service page. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get the underlying issue identified and let you know of your repair options. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How long can a car run like when driving back and forth from work when battery saver mode is on? I plan to have it checked after w
ANSWER : The primary function of the battery is to start the vehicle. Once it is running, the alternator provides the electrical needs of the engine, lights,radio,heater,etc. If the alternator is faulty and not producing power, these systems will draw power from the battery. Since the battery can’t recharge itself – the alternator keeps it charged – the battery will eventually die and the vehicle will shut down. It is difficult to predict how long the vehicle will run on battery power alone. Everything you use – lights, signals, heater, wipers,etc – will all draw more power from the battery and drain it quickly. Cold temperatures will also shorten the amount of time the battery will last under those conditions. The vehicle may run for mere minutes, or maybe an hour or more.

Metallic click sound when putting car in drive or reverse from park, and another click (sometimes) when making a turn.
ANSWER : You may have damaged the axle or strut. I would have the entire front inspected and have the clicking diagnosed. When anyone hits something hard enough to pop a tire there is most likely damage to some component in the area where it was hit. A visual inspection may or may not identify the problem, but a good mechanic can road test and hear the sound and should be able to pinpoint the cause of the clicking noise and recommend a repair.

My car shuts off while driving and then turns back on multiple times or shuts off after driving and car turns off.
ANSWER : Hi there. Check the alternator and make sure that the wiring it connected tight. Check the battery cables and make sure that they are tight and clean. Look for any loose ground wires to the chassis on the vehicle. If everything checks out to be working correctly, then the PCM may need to be replaced as it may have a battery disconnect condition. If you need further assistance with multiple functions shutting off, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.