What would cause my shifter in my 2008 Dodge Avenger to feel sticky when moving it.
The shifter on my car is not moving as smooth like it usually does. When i shift from park to drive it feels like it is sticky and doesnt move into place as smooth as it once did, its not a super tough budge down to drive but it is a lot more effort than usual. even from drive to park or drive to anything or park to anything it just does not move smoothly. when it is in low or 3rd it feels like it is going to slide up to possibly to drive or neutral on its own. what is wrong and what can i do to fix this problem?
My car has 70000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Most of the time this will only occur if something was spilled into the shifter at one point in time or another. If a soda was spilled it will get very sticky over time and will cause this to happen. I would typically take the shifter apart to check the moving parts for any build up and clean it as necessary. As long as nothing is broken then it can be cleaned and reinstalled. It is also possible that one of the guides has broke which would then cause you to need a new shifter assembly. If you need to have you shifter looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the shifter is not moving well] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-shift-inspection
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Your manual transmission gears see a lot of use and over time, they will begin to wear down. The normal wear and tear can cause sticking of the gearshift as the gears fail to engage. This does tend to happen more often with the first two gears because they are the ones that are shifted to and from most often.
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.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Loose connections at the positive and negative battery terminals. Very dirty or clogged air filters can also cause your engine to underperform. Loose timing belts are another likely cause.
Not Enough Gear Oil
If your transmission is leaking oil or you do not change it periodically, you will have less oil in the gear. Once this happens, there will be damage to your transmission and it will eventually become hard to shift it. There may even be strange noises or poor vehicle performance symptoms too.”
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.
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.
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.
The most prevalent cause of vibration is problems with your wheels or tires. The potential problems include improper wheel and tire balance, uneven tire wear, separated tire tread, out of round tires, damaged wheels and even loose lug nuts.
Automatic transmissions that shift hard, jerk or shake during a shift change may mean your transmission fluid needs changed or fluid level is low. In manual transmission vehicles, abnormal gear shifts could indicate damaged gear synchros, worn clutches or other, more severe issues.
Common signs include the indicator not matching the gear and the vehicle not turning off, starting in another gear, or not going into gear at all.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
What would cause my shifter in my 2008 Dodge Avenger to feel sticky when moving it.
ANSWER : Hi there. Most of the time this will only occur if something was spilled into the shifter at one point in time or another. If a soda was spilled it will get very sticky over time and will cause this to happen. I would typically take the shifter apart to check the moving parts for any build up and clean it as necessary. As long as nothing is broken then it can be cleaned and reinstalled. It is also possible that one of the guides has broke which would then cause you to need a new shifter assembly. If you need to have you shifter looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the shifter is not moving well] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-hard-to-shift-inspection
Fiero GT VERY difficult to move shifter from any position. 1986 Pontiac Fiero
ANSWER : Hello – your Fiero uses rather long cables for the shifter linkage, and several pivot mechanisms that are potentially very stiff if they have not been cleaned and lubed in recent history. Cold weather also makes cable action stiff initially, even if in tip top shape. For assistance, I recommend a shifter cable replacement 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.
My vehicle will not move when in gear and you can move the shifter even when not pushing in the clutch 2008 Honda Civic
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like your clutch has failed. When it fails completely you will usually get a burning smell and you will have a complete disconnect from the transmission and engine. You are going to need a new clutch. You should have a transmission specialist take a look at it.
Sometimes I feel resistance from my gear shifter when shifting and need to use extra force in order to change gears.
ANSWER : Hello.
From what you describe it appears that you may possibly have a worn out transmission shifter bushing. This is component serves as a linkage bushing for the shifter, to the transmission. It is made of plastic, and thus, is susceptible to breaking or wearing out.
The shifter bushing, or bushings, are located at the base of the shifter, and will require disassembly of the vehicle’s interior to access. If the bushings are okay, then it may be possible that something is lodged in the shifter mechanism, and is jamming the shifter.
If you’d like to get this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come diagnose your shifting issue firsthand and help you fix it accordingly.
My car doesn’t respond to the gas pedal like it should
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The engine is likely sensing an issue and compensating for it. When you restart the vehicle, the component may be passing its start up tests, and the engine stops trying to outperform itself. Start by having the vehicle scanned for diagnostic codes. If there is another sensor to blame, it may show up there and make diagnostics a lot easier. If not codes come up, you will want to test the fuel pressure available at the engine, and make sure the fuel system is working properly. You can also clean the throttle and test the throttle position sensor. For more help with diagnosing and resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
What would cause 1st cylinder misfire, multiple misfire, all fuel injectors circuits open and o2 sensors heater circuit high on a 2008 Dodge Charger
ANSWER : Hello. It sounds like you may have the wrong parts installed on the car. Due to the fact that multiple people have worked on it you may have some parts that do not meet specifications. From what it sounds like to me though you either do not have an ECM in the vehicle with the correct programming or you have a connection issue. If all of the grounds are not clean and tight then that will cause this. if they are then the computer needs to be programmed to your vehicle at the dealer and that may take care of it.
Transmission gets stuck when I shift it out of 1st gear sometimes and it takes a lot of force for me to move the shifter 2013 Dodge Viper
ANSWER : Hi there – your Viper uses the Tremec TR-6060 transmission, which handles the torque from the Vipers engine reliably, but is a bit balky in the shifting department. Using synthetic transmission fluid will help, especially in colder climates, and moving the shifter into 1st while still in motion will help (it uses a 3-cone synchronizer for 1st gear, so motion actually helps engagement). Break-in and some miles should help here, but it’s a bit of a horse. Enjoy!
What is the location of the spark plugs on a 2015 Dodge Journey sxt 6cylinder, and would that be the cause of a misfire bank 12&3
ANSWER : Hi there. You might want to watch this video on removing the spark plugs on a Dodge V-6 3.6 liter engine. Although this car is different, your Journey has the same exact engine configuration. The random misfire of 1, 2, and 3 is likely caused by a failed injection rail or individual spark plug wires or the plugs themselves.
