Go Time Auto Repair

The engine runs but the car won't move in Drive or Reverse

When the engine runs but the car will not go, the power is not reaching the wheels. It can be very low fluid, a broken shift cable or linkage, a failed pump or torque converter, or a failure inside the transmission. Do not assume the worst: sometimes it is only a cable, and we rule out the cheap causes first.

Book a transmission diagnosis (954) 947-2922
Urgency
Stop driving it
What to do right now

What to do right now

  1. 1Do not force it. Revving the engine or rocking it between Drive and Reverse can wreck a transmission that only needed a cable or a leak fixed.
  2. 2If the shifter feels loose, or the gear shown on the dash does not change when you move it, tell us. That points to the shift cable or linkage, a much smaller job.
  3. 3If your car has a transmission dipstick, check it. Almost nothing on the stick, or a red puddle under the car, means the fluid leaked out.
  4. 4Have it towed through your roadside plan or a tow company, and ask for a flatbed. Dragging an automatic on its drive wheels can hurt it more.
What it usually is

What it usually is

Transmission diagnostics

We check the linkage and the fluid first, then run pressure tests. The cheap causes get ruled out before anyone talks about opening the transmission.

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Transmission repair

A broken shift cable, a leak that let the fluid run out, or a failed torque converter can each be fixed on its own when the rest of the transmission is healthy.

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Transmission rebuilds

If the pump or the clutches inside have failed, a rebuild is often the fix. You get the options in writing, with the warranty length you pick: 90 days, 1 year, or 2 years.

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Questions people ask

Can I drive it slowly to the shop?
No. If it will not move on its own, forcing it can turn a cable or a leak into a rebuild. Even if it creeps along, it can quit in the middle of an intersection. Have it towed.
Could it really be something small?
Yes. A shift cable that snapped or came loose leaves the transmission where it was, no matter where you move the lever. Very low fluid can stop the car too, and if it was not driven that way, fixing the leak and refilling can be enough. That is why linkage and fluid get checked before anything else.
What kind of tow should I ask for?
A flatbed. Towing an automatic with its drive wheels on the ground can damage it, and all-wheel drive cars need all four wheels off the ground. Book it through your insurance roadside plan or a tow company and have it brought to 631 S State Rd 7 in Plantation. We text you when it is checked in and when the estimate is ready.
Is it going to need a whole new transmission?
Not always, and we will not know until the linkage, fluid, and pressure tests are done. If it does need a rebuild or a replacement, you get the written price and the options before any work, and no is a normal answer.

Ready to book?

Pick a time. We text you the written price before any work starts.

Book a transmission diagnosis(954) 947-2922