Car will not shift after oil change

Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I took my car to for a routine oil change and as soon as I pulled out of the parking lot, my car wouldn't shift gears. The car was running/shifting perfectly fine before I took it there. Now it won't shift out if high gear. My boyfriend has added four quarts of transmission fluid and it still won't shift properly. Is it possible that the mechanic mistakenly drained the transmission fluid?
Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 11:31 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good afternoon,

How many quarts did your boyfriend add?

yes, it is possible but if the level is correct then it should shift.

Did you return to the oil change place and ask them to re check there work as they may have disconnected something during the oil change?

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

is the check engine light on? if it is, can you tell us the code?

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
He added four quarts so far. And yes, I did return to the oil change place. They told me there was no way to get to the transmission fluid without going to the dealership, which was obviously a lie. Then they told me the transmission fluid was burnt and black. They told me because the transmission fluid was never changed, my transmission fluid had burnt up. The check engine light is on, but we would have to check the code.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Sounds very fishy.

If they knew anything about cars, they would know how to check and add transmission fluid. That is there job.

Let me know when you get the code.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I thought so myself. He's going to go down and talk to them tomorrow and try to get somewhere. Unfortunately, they talk to me like I'm stupid because I'm a woman and don't know a ton about cars.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Let me know what they tell you.

Is this a franchise oil change place or private shop?

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:13 PM
Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It's a chain. American Lube Fast.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:14 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Good, once you find out their response, make sure you document it for your complaint to the company.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:16 PM
Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Definitely. By they way, the speedometer doesn't work now either.
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, that is most likely the reason it will not shift. Without the speedometer working, the PCM will not know the car is moving and cannot tell the transmission to shift.

Have them check the vehicle speed sensor to see if it is connected. When they changed the oil filter, they were right at this sensor.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
SARAH TRESCOT
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Roy, you have been so very helpful! Thank you and Merry Christmas!
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
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You are welcome.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 AT 1:58 PM

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