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AAMCO Colorado

Why Will My Car Only Go In Reverse and Not Forward?

Is Your Car not Moving When in Drive?

If your car is only moving when in reverse, then there is undoubtedly something wrong with your transmission or another component that affects its operation.While your vehicle is inoperable, take some time to learn about the possible causes of the issue and how the certified transmission experts at one of our locally owned AAMCO Colorado locations can help!

Here at AAMCO transmission repair and service is our specialty.  Our mechanics specialize in fixing troublesome transmissions and can help you to diagnose your issue in no time.  Schedule today at your nearest AAMCO Colorado location.  Not quite sure what location is closed to you?  Take a look at our locations page to and enter your zip code to find the closest AAMCO certified transmission expert near you!

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The Top 3 Reasons Why Your Car is Only Moving in Reverse

You May be Low on Transmission Fluid

If you’re lucky, then the fix for your transmission might be very easy and inexpensive.  The issue may be as simple as refilling and/or replacing your transmission fluid.  If your fluid is too low, then your transmission may not be able to build up enough hydraulic pressure to shift properly into gears.

Automatic transmissions use pressured hydraulic fluid to change gears typically via a car’s computer which activates the transmission solenoid.  This directs the fluid into the valve body which engages the desired gear.  While anything in this system could have gone array, if your transmission fluid is very low it could be a possible inexpensive fix.  We highly recommend having your transmission looked at by one of our AAMCO Transmission Experts to determine the issue.

Issues with the Speed Sensor

Believe or not, a faulty speed sensor could be the reason your transmission only works in reverse. The speed sensor provides information to the car to determine how fast you are going.  It utilizes a magnetic sensor which also can allow for smooth shifting of the gears inside your transmission.  While it may seem silly that a simple speed sensor could make your car not drive properly, all of these systems work in conjunction with each other.  Often times a faulty speed sensor can cause an erratically shifting transmission, however, it is possible that it can prevent it from shifting properly at all.

If any of these causes are the issue you should have your transmission assessed by an AAMCO mechanic right away to determine the root cause and find the correct way to repair your transmission.

You May Have a Faulty Transmission

Unfortunately, there may be several underlying transmission issues involved. When your car’s critical components that control the transmission are acting up you can very likely only be able to drive in reverse.  This could likely be due to a faulty computer that controls the transmission, a faulty transmission solenoid, or another issue with your transmission.

If there is an issue with your solenoid you could be experiencing slipping gears or a transmission that won’t shift into gear properly at all.  You could also be experiencing a dragging clutch which does not disengage from the flywheel or another problem with the transmission’s gears.  In a manual or stick shift transmission, you can experience this issue if there are problems with your shift linkage, grommets, or cables.

Schedule with a Locally Owned AAMCO Colorado Today

If you’re concerned about your transmission let the experts at AAMCO take care of it for you. Schedule an appointment with your nearest AAMCO Colorado today and get back on the road quickly.  AAMCO specializes in repairing transmissions the right way the first time.  Trust in the transmission experts at your local AAMCO Colorado!

Want to ask an AAMCO transmission mechanic what might be wrong before you bring it in?  Head over to our ask a mechanic page and get some advice right from own on our expert transmission specialists.

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View Comments (11)

  • I have a 2007 Chevy Aveo it has no forward gears only reverse also 1st gear it goes backwards do you know what might cause this

    • Danny,
      Issues with gear shifting is typically an indication of serious transmission problems. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

    • Cornett,
      Issues with your car not being able to shift into other gears from "park" is typically an indication of serious transmission problems. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • 2004 f150 putting gear shift in 1st 2nd or drive it bearly wants to move or not at all reverse is fine

    • James,
      Issues with shifting gears typically indicate a larger transmission issue. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • I have a 2003 Honda Accord, I noticed that my transmission fuel was low and forget to put some in my car before I got on the interstate. Well, two hours driving on the road my car started to slow down and starting making a noise as if I had it in the wrong gear and didn't want to go forward as I pushed on the gas. I turned off my car, turned it back on which I had no problem with. It crunk perfectly as it always does without any lights coming on telling me something was wrong. It just would not go forward and I've never had this problem before. Can someone please tell me what could be wrong?

    • Nia,
      These symptoms could be from quite a few issues. If your car will not go forward, this is likely an issue within your transmission system. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers stop on by for a vehicle courtesy check.
      Thanks,
      AAMCO Colorado

  • I have a 2001 Dodge Dakota. I change the rear end oil. Truck will go in reverse, but not when it's in drive on flat payment the truck will go , if it stops on an incline I have to floor it to start moving. It moves tell slow. I checked the trans. Level is on max. What do I do now?

  • I have issues with my 80series land cruiser automatic transmission it drives in reverse perfectly but struggles to go in forward also wouldn't start on key start it happened after a complete transmission rebuild..any ideas on what I can do next??

  • 2006 Hyundai Elantra
    *from a cold start, it goes into R just fine, but it doesn't react in any of the D's (3,2,Lo). After shifting gears a lot and backing up a hill and coasting back down about 5 times, I goes into 2nd auto gear and all the ones up, but will not go into the 1st D gear. (this is all while it's in the common D gear). Okay, so as long as it's not turned off, the car drives fine in all of the gears except for the low gear/1st gear. But soon as you turn engine off, you're back to no D gears again. Not gonna need a new transmission, am I?

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