How to Diagnose and Fix Shifter Issues

In this video I am going to show you how you can fix shifting problems on your car. Whether you can't get your shifter lever out of park, or your shifter indicator is not matching the position of your shift lever, I am going to show you how the system operates so you can diagnose all said issues.
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchets and Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchets and Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

[@aut0psy87]

Bro, people like you are the unsung heroes of society. Thanks a lot, man 👍

[@konnersehn9287]

I don’t know if your still making videos but this video helped me out beyond belief thank you

[@robertfernandez8852]

Over the last few days I have found it impossible to move my automatic gear shift lever into Park. Before I go to the garage I wanted to identify the likely problem. Your video explains in simple terms what has gone wrong and what needs doing. Thank you.

[@sourdruid1]

Was it the shifting assembly?

[@HeAhaBro]

You have the best videos for someone wanting to learn - no waffling, precise, clear, logical, and informative which makes them easy to follow and to understand . My car, my wallet and I thank you!!

[@MariaRodriguez-bp1tl]

Thank god I found your video, I was mini panicking when I cleaned my 1995 Toyota Camry transmission range sensor using another video, and after assembling everything, my stick shift wasn't shifting properly, it would indicate the wrong gear. i watched your video about checking the tightness of the nuts on the sensor, went to check mine, prayed that I just needed to tighten it more and boom! That was it. Fixed the shifting in the stick shift perfectly and I'm super happy it was a simple fix

[@michellempierce]

thank you! I've been having shifter cable issues. I needed this

[@swittw6158]

Excellent video and explanation. The best I have seen on this topic. I found the wire harness was not fully clipped in and locked. You helped me resolve my daughters car issue. Thank you very much.

[@SOLIZ49erFAITHFUL]

Interesting yet pretty simple. A step missed was that you had the car in NEUTRAL but still went forward, the stepped missed was after fixing the loose nut you should have also checked to make sure the vehicle didn't move forward as before in NEUTRAL. I still enjoyed this & I hope that you keep supplying us with great info.

[@sarahnordloh9438]

He did check that it moved in the correct direction

[@sarahuniverse1028]

I absolutely love that you explain how these components work!!! It helps immensely with troubleshooting and just having an overall comprehension of how it all works. Thank you for sharing and putting this online! 😊

[@eviemint1859]

Wow so detailed. Best auto repair video I've seen!

[@barbmiracle]

Subscribed. Nice video work, clear explanations. Brought this up hoping it was for a manual but watched all the way through anyway as the pacing and info were on point. Now I'm curious about a car for sale that will only drive in reverse... Wonder if these things might be why

[@patrickmcdaniel8123]

New battery, engine runs, but stick shift wont come out of park? Why?

[@ItsKaiRod1]

Shift interlock

[@valeriebaca6566]

Thank you for the help. Very thorough. Liked the diagrams!

[@ProcrafterPvP]

My transmission leaked hella fluid from a return like that slipped out while driving down the highway and locked up got it replaced and had that problem checked out the return line like you said and that was the problem the whole time thanks!!

[@alannobakht8503]

Awesome tips-- however, I have with my 2014 Hyundai Tucson shifter not moving out of Park- P without OBDII Error.. But my Brake light was OK so I went to 3-different mechanics, one said it the brake switch that provides power to the Park-shift Solenoid, the second put scanner on the car and said the BCM is not working properly and the third said it is the Shifter-Solenoid is BAD. Also the Solenoid MUST click to TURN a Plastic assembly to let the shifter to come out of the "P" anytime you press the brake to go to Drive or Reverse.

[@SuperMIKevin]

I really enjoyed this video 😊 Who knew something being loose could cause so many problems?

[@garyslaby1853]

Great video, very clear and I also like the use of the white board.

[@lynnehardman7057]

Your white board really explained things that I can understand as a women it made sense thank you for keeping us in mind great way to communicate about the cable system thank you

[@jayberavance1255]

I'm happy to watch your video everytime,it helps me a lot & learn about basic troubleshooting,keep it Boss.

[@wyattoneable]

Your white board of knowledge is always appreciated. Your a pretty good artist too! great tips and editing.

[@myRatchets]

I am glad you liked the video, however I am a lousy artist unless I have a ruler.

[@WillieCleo]

Awesome information! Thank you. I couldn't get my lever to move, followed your advise and it worked. People were telling me to trash my car, can you imagine? Now I have to figure out how to get my motor oil to circulate throughout since the wrong oil was put in it twice and finally the proper oil was put in it. It shrubs and has trouble pulling. Any suggestions???

[@MikeJSchindler]

Awesome info and well explained - just what I needed. Thank you!

[@EARTHKEENING]

Can stuck on neutral prevent car from starting ? 2012 hyundai elantra .

[@PeterBissonnette]

This is a fantastic video. The explanation is clear and there's no unnecessary monologuing, aside from the dog joke, which was well-timed and actually funny! Congratulations on making a great video! Subscribing!

[@peterswanepoel2807]

Again an excellent video Good info You Speak loud and clear and to the point YOUR the greatest Thanks a ton

[@GodofKings-Raj]

Your videos are always informative

[@vikaghostwave]

Ford mustang just had a trans rebuild everything clicks in to place except when I go from drive to reverse its a little off. I can feel it but it will pass the R a bit then I have to pull it down to make sure its clicked in . This only happens when I do from drive to reverse not park to reverse or any of the others what could it Be ? Is it the shifter ? Please answer if possible thanks :)

[@yohanpyro]

got a 2016 elantra. brake switch is good but shift interlock wont release to allow me to shift. also had the same exact issue with a 2010 elantra. any testing help or advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

[@SL-pg4dh]

Hi, did you ever get it fixed? I'm having the same problem with my 2009 Hyundai sonata

[@wimadehi8116]

Your are good teacher ❤

[@clintmurray9815]

On my 2021 Lexus GX I had a problem with the shifter blocked from shifting into park. I had already turned off the engine, but I could not turn off the accessory mode. I tried pushing the lockout button, but that didn't work. I disconnected the battery for a few minutes, but as soon as I reconnected the battery the accessory mode lit up again. I disconnected the battery again, and returned after an hour. That worked and now could shift into park. After a day it is still working okay. I had been in the habit of turning off the engine, then shifting into park, and then turning off accessory mode. From now on I will shift into park before I shut down the engine.

[@boatengdarkwa8072]

Pls do you a video on how to replace the shift selector cable for Hyundai Elantra 2013?

[@prodbygustavo]

Great video! Simple and to the point. Thank you.

[@vapingnewfie6562]

Exactly what I was looking for, thank you very much. Subbed

[@RonnieAlmore-qd9tq]

Man that's good car info

[@shaylacheever9008]

You are a lifesaver!!!!thank you!!!!!

[@macy-a-7151]

thank you this might help my dad

[@VexingFob]

Wow. This a great tutorial. Is replacing a neutral safety switch expensive to fix?

[@Rocketyt]

I usually just gather the info I need and move on. But.....You were really good at explaining everything to the point I'm waiting for the sun to come up and check out my Escalade that's just starring at me from my driveway. Good thing it didn't take a dump up in the mountains yesterday and waited til I got home to crap out. Thanks ....Rocket

[@duduki5]

Hello, corolla 2013 S - why sometimes it hard to pull gear stick from "P" to "R" and sometimes perfectly ?! maybe there is some kind combination before stoping the car in parking ?!

[@newls1]

love the dog

[@myRatchets]

Thank you,

[@irondisciple2984]

I have a question. My cars shifter seems to have messed up. But i had days prior to it failing now that it seemed to struggle to put it on park. Like when you shift it from drive to park, right before it reaches its position it already gets set on park when it worked fine but then it would put itself on park just when the shifter reached the limit it moves to when its on park. Now my shifter stopped working and i cant set it on park to turn off or turn on it can't turn on since its not on park. Im curious if the shifter cable got loose. Ill have to check.

[@alyl2064]

So, my car won't let me switch into* park or reverse sometimes. My break lights still work but I have been unable to find a video for the specific issue. All will be fine and then I'll get home and go to put it in park, but it won't shift past neutral (won't go up to reverse or park) unless I manually override. My fuses aren't blown, although one looks a little bit less fresh than the others on the prongs

[@chungaleta1234]

I always learn something from your vids. thanks for sharing your vast knowledge.

[@DefectoPerfect0]

Does the car need to be started for the cable to move? I'm shifting the gears(no start) and the cable is not moving.

[@mairegency3975]

Hi! I just want to ask if its normal to hear a clicking/clunking sound when you press the shift button to change from Park to Reverse/Drive. The shift button only makes sounds when its on park and its a little bit loud.. Thanks!

[@Leto4900]

thanks for that great explanation. it was helpful 👍👍👍

[@samuelgarza9812]

I have a Chevy traverse lt 2018 when I move the shifter all the way down it won’t go to low BUT if I put it if drive let it click then it will let me go all the way to low gear is that normal? Runs fine

[@conquistadortl9892]

awesome work 👏 helped me out thanks

[@user-ot5ct4gk9f]

How much does it cost including labor chan=rges to adjust this shift gear?

[@hngrypanda5973]

Good video compadre. Saludos desde Chicago

[@tmiranda3984]

My Mazda 2014 will allow me to shift to drive. But a moment later the light turns off and it won’t drive… I keep moving it back to park and back down to drive until the light indicator on the shifter turns on and then eventually it stays on and I’m able to drive. This is worse in the morning , especially when it’s cold. It occurs daily.

[@PetitCorpsSalade]

Could you do the same about manual cars? I'm interested especially in why a shifter would shake a lot at all times but even more so when cold (worst is at start up). Thanks a lot for all your videos mate! They're all very well explained :)

[@myRatchets]

I just bought a project with a manual, said project will have a lot of video's done on it. stay tuned :)

[@martinlim6204]

THanks for the great video. I am troubleshooting a Chev Captiva, it just able to move for not more than 30s when put to D. Thereafter, the D and R not effecting any movement of the car. No DTC registered. Could this be something to do with the shifter or cable? Bgrds Martin

[@nunochoosesfreedom]

I have a question... what will happen if you leave the cable like it was? Any safe mode (limp mode) is triggered?

[@frankgriffin6977]

Great Video. Very informative, thank you for sharing.

[@joywatkins9092]

My 2015Hyundai Elantra won’t shut off in park. If I put it in neutral or Reverse it goes off. Is that a sensor or ecm problem?

[@kristoffmclean6695]

Thank you really helped alot

[@lunnic88]

Thank you so much, bro...helped me a lot...

[@jafar633]

Very useful! Thanks

[@charleshoward9983]

Good video Thanks for the info.

[@myRatchets]

np, glad you liked the video.

[@pedrohanandez2668]

I have a 2012 Murano it shifts fine but I have to wiggle it a little bit to have go into a specific gear what could be the problem?

[@ogburich43]

Can this work on a 2013 Chevy Tahoe? Mine is stuck in reverse.

[@solzok7962]

Thanks goat

[@12012channel]

Hello, I have a shifter that is stuck in park. I may have found the reason why. When I push the shift lever button to start the mechanism to push the rod down( the one with the triangular piece on top) into the middle of the bigger cylinder. It does not go into the middle but instead gets stuck on the edge. How do I fix that?

[@usaaib]

Your video is a great resource to understand the shifter getting stuck. I have a 2012 Hyundai Elantra where the shifter gets stuck 1) when trying to get out of Parking, or 2) moving from Neutral to Reverse. In both instances pressing the release works. I've verified that the break lights are working when pressing the break pedal. This is happening at very random times. Do you have a suggestion to what else to look at? Super appreciate your feedback. Thanks in advance!

[@SL-pg4dh]

Did you get it fixed? Im having the same problem now

[@usaaib]

@@SL-pg4dh yes, got the shift box and replaced it. Took me about 40 min. No issue since.

[@markdavis8224]

I need the information for manual transmission for a 95 Mitsubishi mighty max

[@GiftAjie]

my sienna 2004 will drive but not revising I want to know if is an electrical or mechanical issue please?

[@fordexplorer4758]

Should a shifter be hard to put on drive ??

[@tracymetcalfe9565]

Whats it mean when the gear shifter moves freely when car is off?

[@big_R_]

Sometimes my shifter light doesn't come on but other times it does, could this be a sign of bad wiring or the bulb going out? (2010 escape 112k miles)

[@pywindmillz]

Ray Klotz no, it's not properly seated. push forward on ur shifter and the light should click on

[@big_R_]

Ok thanks, I'll give it a try

[@randystein1228]

My 2012 elantras problem I'm having is that ,after the car is warmed up and driving like 15- 20 miles , I lose the shift indicator on the dash cluster and the shifter gets stuck in neutral or at park , I have to release it from the shift lock with a small screw driver , then I can drive , if I shut the car off and restart it the cluster lights up I can then shift to drive but then it gets stuck again and I have to start the process over. Once the car is parked over night or for long hours , I can drive with no problem until this acts uo again. What can cause this problem? TIA

[@ds2985]

Hi mate my car will shit into drive but not move just revs. But it moves in reverse no problem. Any idea what the problem could be?

[@whatjoshydoestv6741]

Thanks for the video. Question: on a cold start, when I put it in drive, the car won’t move. Theres a long delay until it moves on it’s own when the brake is released. Or I have to press the gas a little bit to get it to move. Any idea why it does that? Only happens on cold start. 2000 VW beetle 1.8T

[@JM-qt5mg]

Dude I have the same exact problem with my Altima. Exactly the same. Did u find anything out??

[@wshyarramadhan7777]

good luck bro

[@TAS1965]

My son’s 01 Hyundai Sonata is stuck in park, won’t move at all. It’s been sitting for awhile so do you think the linkage is just rusted?

[@forbesy8568]

brilliant

[@devonmisner8917]

Shifter assembly is going out could that cause your transmission to go into limp mode it has trouble getting all the way down into drive and sometimes does the neutral and drive we're can't tell which one it's in so I think it is my shifter assembly what would that cause a transmission to go into limp mode

[@paulofernandesjr]

One more subscriber! Great video, thank you.

[@jgjg3848]

My button doesn't do anything. I can shift between gears without pressing the button. I just had a new transmission shifter cable installed and now my shifter gear button doesn't engage. I can put the car in all gears without pressing the button now. This makes me nervous because it isn't actually "locking" in any position now. Any suggestions?

[@mcfriedchicken1972]

What if you can shift out of Park without pressing the brakes? Even with the car off

[@tracymetcalfe9565]

I'm having this issue

[@patrickconnolly9335]

I have a el80e i have a internal mode switch invalid range code but dont know what cauld be causing it or where to start but i changed internal mode switch what else cauld be at fault

[@AllPraiseToYah]

You're the man!

[@NikeSoccerTennis]

what about a nissan altima 2005, the shifter got stuck on parking and all the lights on the roof dont work anymore

[@elijahcisco2694]

great video

[@Dyverze25]

Awesome vid 🎉cheers

[@adidaelm2001]

Would this apply to a 2008 Hyundai elantra as well? As far as where to adjust shifting cable

[@CKT1138]

My car goes into Park but the light for Park on my dash won't always light up and until it does (usually achieved by pulling back or wiggling the shifter) I can't remove my key

[@mahloanemontsi3765]

My reverse gear jumps a little when i engage it what could be the problem

[@mansouralblooshi3004]

Thanks for sharing knowledge. Like👍

[@RICREYNOLDSMUSIC]

Can you direct me on shifter does not move on 2001 lexas rx300? Brake lights work but VSC alarm comes on when the shift will not move out of park unless releasing safety switch.

[@suregains_tip8722]

Is the automatic shift gear repairable?

[@YXUHUNTER]

Great videos! Thank you!!

[@treyvonb371]

Hello I have a 2014 Hyundai Accent and the gear is stuck in neutral no matter if I put it in drive or park it will stay in neutral can you please help

[@dannybeauclair9587]

Hi 👋 Great video.. I have a 2015 Hyundai Veloster turbo. Sometimes when I go to put it in drive the indicators show that it's in neutral and will not move. But if I physically have the shifter in drive I'm trying to start it, it will not start. I have to have physically have the shifter in the neutral position and it will start. But if I put the shifter in drive the dash will show the letter n and the letter that lights up by the shifter is also N. But this is an intermittent problem. It does not do it all the time. Do you think it's just in the neutral safety switch box itself with an intermittent short?

[@drcharbelmedawar]

hello did you ever solve your issue? Im having the same issue now with my hyundai but the car cant move even if i use the shift release button, the dashboard always has the N

[@dannybeauclair9587]

@@drcharbelmedawar I got it fixed. It was the neutral safety switch that is mounted on top of the transmission. You open the hood and it's underneath the air filter. I call it a glorified neutral safety switch, because it has a plug of electrical wires going to it. It was super easy to replace. I just went on to eBay to buy the neutral safety switch.

[@dannybeauclair9587]

@@drcharbelmedawar if you watch that video, you see him underneath the hood messing with a neutral safety switch that is attached to the cable to the shifter. I did not mess with the shifter cable. There's a not on top of the neutral safety switch that holds it down to the transmission. Flat steel plate underneath that nut is attached to the cable shifter. If you take that sinner nut off, you can leave the cable shifter alone so it's not out of place. Then there's two bolts that mountie neutral safety switch to the transmission. I've had zero issues since then. What's strange is, it's had this problem for many years and several owners and no one figured it out what the problem was. So when I bought the car, it had fifty-four thousand miles. Nobody hardly drove it.

[@drcharbelmedawar]

@@dannybeauclair9587 thank you very much for your detailed response! I really appreciate it. However, in my case it turned out that the connection between the gearbox and the shift cable was disconnected so had to have that fixed

[@warshatube]

awesome

[@oscarp1800]

Great video bro! Gracias!!!

[@marycooley9561]

Have a 2004 Hyundai Santa fe 3.5. Changes out of gears on it's own. Goes from drive to sport mode on it's own. Any ideas?

[@GodofKings-Raj]

I need your assistance regarding hyundai i20 automatic..can you?

[@chrisjoshua5463]

Hello, I have a question, my car is able to shift without me putting the keys in the ignition,I have a automatic Honda civic 2002

[@ares9201]

Did every figure out the problem? Having the same issue

[@tracymetcalfe9565]

I'm having same issue too....I need some help

[@nayabnoba5482]

Hi if you don't mind can you help me i have santa fe 2008 with 2.7 engine gear leaver stuck on reverse means r its don't move and i can not start my car