If your car does not reverse, you may assume the worst immediately. After all, you need your car to have rapid gearshifts. When this occurred in my car, I checked the engine, gear fluid, & shifting mechanism right away.
Avoiding this problem may result in risky driving circumstances. Additionally, if you ignore this issue, your transmission might fail, requiring a very expensive repair.
Reasons Why Your Car Will not Move in Reverse
Whether your car has an automatic gearbox or a manual transmission, there are a variety of causes why it will not move in reverse. The gearbox, fluid, sensor, shifting mechanism, and gears are often a few of the culprits that owners or skilled specialists should examine first.
Low Transmission Fluid
Transmission fluid is among the most typical reasons for this. It may result in the gearbox overheating and poor performance below the car’s hood.
Even while it could appear like a fox that is too simple to catch, solving this problem generally solves the problem at hand; drivers may also check for filthy fluid, contamination, or leaking fluid beneath the vehicle by checking the fluid levels. Fluid leaks may signify more serious problems, including a damaged head gasket and leaking hydraulic fluid.
Solution
You may save money by choosing to repair yourself, but going to a technician guarantees that the issue is resolved and that the transmission is inspected.
However, if you decide to go the DIY route, you must first determine the kind of fluid you need by consulting the manufacturer’s instructions for your vehicle. Finding the filling tube is the next step once you have confirmed that. Afterward, you must take out the dipstick and place a funnel within the tube.
However, consult your handbook to learn about your choices if your car lacks a dipstick. Avoid overfilling your gearbox to prevent component damage.
Faulty Transmission Sensor
A bad transmission sensor is another factor preventing your automobile from going into reverse. If the sensor is malfunctioning, it may prohibit the automobile from going by, signaling the drivetrain to change into reverse. In contrast to low fluid levels caused by human mistakes or mechanical issues, the malfunctioning sensor is an electrical issue that must be fixed.
A malfunctioning transmission sensor is often fixed by examining the diagnostic code at a qualified mechanic’s shop.
Solution
At first, replacing a transmission sensor could appear difficult. However, it is a simple fix if the sensor is on the outside of the gearbox case beneath your car. It is recommended to have a professional repair an internal sensor since it is more complex.
Dirty Transmission Fluid
The third potential cause of your car’s inability to reverse is unclean transmission fluid. Like low fluid levels, contaminated fluid may make it impossible to shift into reverse or choose a gear. Corrosion, head gasket damage, or sludge buildup in the gearbox are the primary causes of filthy fluid.
Brown fluid is one of the most typical indicators of filthy transmission fluid. It may be polluted if your transmission fluid is black or very dark brown.
Solution
Draining the contaminated fluid and refilling the transmission is the best technique to treat filthy transmission fluid. No assurance using a new fluid supply would eliminate the fluid in this procedure, which may include many layers. In such a situation, choosing a professional cleaning could be smart, particularly if a blown head gasket causes the issue.
Broken Valve Body
The valve body, which aids in controlling the fluid flow to the valves, is an important factor of the gearbox in an automatic vehicle. In an automatic vehicle, the valve body may get worn down or damaged over time, making it impossible for the automobile to change gears.
Solution
Even for the most skilled technician, replacing a gearbox valve body is difficult. The price to replace this part varies depending on the brand and model of the car.
However, replacing the valve body is counterproductive in certain circumstances since it could worsen transmission issues. Your suggested course of action is to repair or replace the transmission in light of this.
Faulty Shifting Mechanism
The fourth reason your automobile may not be able to go in reverse is that a manual vehicle’s reverse shifting mechanism is broken. Although this is not conceivable in an automatic car, manual transmissions often have problems.
A broken gear shifter connection cannot shift into reverse if the gear is jammed. Drivers will need to replace or fix the linkage in this situation.
Solution
Some cables used in shifter mechanisms may be adjusted, which can provide a quick remedy. Check your user guide to see whether this option is available. This issue should be best left to experts, however.
Sensor for Transmission Range
The last potential cause for your car’s inability to reverse is exclusive to automatic automobiles. Your gear stick cannot move properly if your transmission range sensor malfunctions. When the gear stick is moved, it controls the gear selection and is positioned outside the gearbox.
This automatic transmission range sensor’s improper data reading might result in the gearbox stalling, which would prevent your automobile from moving.
Solution
The easiest way to identify the problem’s source is to take your car to repair since there are many possible reasons. They will assess the transmission control module and engine control unit and provide a permanent solution.
Summary
The solution to your car’s inability to move in reverse is often rather simple, even if it is sometimes expensive. When they observe this problem, drivers should immediately check their fluid, shifting system, and gears.
Many of these fixes are doable by the individual. However, having a qualified technician work on your car is often advisable. After all, you want to ensure the problem’s root cause has been found and treated.