Car Wont Go Into Gear When Engine Running

Symptoms

* The car will not go into gear when the engine is running.
* The gear shifter may feel loose or sloppy.
* There may be a grinding noise when you try to shift gears.

Causes

There are several potential causes for this problem, including:

* **Low transmission fluid:** This can cause the gears to slip and make it difficult to shift gears.
* **Damaged clutch:** The clutch is responsible for disengaging the engine from the transmission when you shift gears. A damaged clutch can make it difficult or impossible to shift gears.
* **Faulty shift linkage:** The shift linkage is the mechanism that connects the gear shifter to the transmission. A faulty shift linkage can prevent the gear shifter from moving into the correct position.
* **Damaged transmission:** In some cases, the transmission itself may be damaged, making it impossible to shift gears.

Diagnosis

To diagnose the problem, you will need to:

1. Check the transmission fluid level. If the fluid level is low, add fluid until it reaches the full mark.
2. Inspect the clutch. If the clutch is damaged, it will need to be replaced.
3. Check the shift linkage. If the shift linkage is faulty, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
4. If the transmission fluid level is full, the clutch is not damaged, and the shift linkage is functioning properly, the transmission may be damaged. In this case, you will need to take your car to a mechanic for further diagnosis and repair.

Repair

The repair for this problem will depend on the underlying cause. If the problem is caused by low transmission fluid, adding fluid will solve the problem. If the problem is caused by a damaged clutch, the clutch will need to be replaced. If the problem is caused by a faulty shift linkage, the shift linkage will need to be repaired or replaced. If the problem is caused by a damaged transmission, the transmission will need to be repaired or replaced.

Prevention

There are several things you can do to prevent this problem from occurring, including:

* **Check the transmission fluid level regularly.** The transmission fluid level should be checked every few months, especially if you are driving in hot or cold weather.
* **Inspect the clutch regularly.** The clutch should be inspected every few years, especially if you are driving in stop-and-go traffic.
* **Have the shift linkage inspected regularly.** The shift linkage should be inspected every few years, especially if you are driving in rough conditions.

Costs

The cost of repairing this problem will depend on the underlying cause. If the problem is caused by low transmission fluid, adding fluid will cost around $20. If the problem is caused by a damaged clutch, replacing the clutch will cost around $500. If the problem is caused by a faulty shift linkage, repairing or replacing the shift linkage will cost around $200. If the problem is caused by a damaged transmission, repairing or replacing the transmission will cost around $2,000.