Car will not Move forward or backwards

DENISEF

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
4 CYL
16,600 MILES

I recently bought a 99 pontiac grand am. When bought it had a light in the dash saying trac off. When I took it to be smogged the individual told me that the solenoid should be changed so I did that. I also had the spark plugs changed and did an oil change. The light still has not came off and the car will not reverse or drive forward. What can this be? Can having bad shocks cause this light to come on and cause the transmission not to move?

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011 AT 9:05 PM

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

So, does the transmission engage to the gear selected? As you able to put it in drive and reverse? Or does the gear not engage, regardless of the shifter position?

If the gear is not engaging, or you are unable to put it in drive or reserve, it could be due to a malfunctioning shift cable. If the shift cable is broken or has a damaged bracket it will now allow the vehicle to go into gear. It can show on the shift selector that it is in drive or reverse, but it actually won't engage.

If the transmission is engaging but not moving, it could be a number of things. From low fluid to a valve body.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/automatic-transmission-problems

Please let me know a few more details of what you are experiencing.

Thank you.

Images (Click to make bigger)