Gears seem to not engage

ROBBIE JOSACK

MEMBER
2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

So my girlfriends car was coming to a parking spot and I believe she tried to put it in park before coming to a complete stop. She heard a loud thunk. After the noise none of the gears on reverse or drive seem to work. And now if you put it in park while running you can hear loud clanking which seems to be coming from underneath the neutral safety switch inside the transmission and the vehicle does not engage in park, you have to use the e-brake. I believe the parking pawl has broken off somehow but am not sure. And I do not know why it will not shift into any other gears. I cannot find any videos or chats about this particular problem. I was going to open the transmission pan and see if there was any pieces of metal in there but if anyone has some insight before I do so some advice would be greatly appreciated.

11 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,758 POSTS

A broken parking pawl is not going to prevent the car from driving.

My best guess is you may have broken an axle or C/V joint.

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Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 AT 5:58 PM

ROBBIE JOSACK

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6 POSTS

Would it still not shift though? It does not seem to engage any gears at all.

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Friday, November 3rd, 2017 AT 5:37 AM

ROBBIE JOSACK

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6 POSTS

So I checked out the axle and it seems to be the issue. The driver side axle is just loose and able to be moved around. Ordered part and am going to replace it and see if that's the problem. Thank you for the help! I will give an update after I change the part.

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Sunday, November 5th, 2017 AT 5:46 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,758 POSTS

If the axle just popped out of the transaxle, then it may not have been installed correctly in the first place. There is a clip on the end of the shaft that locks it into position. You may be able to salvage that axle by resolving the clip issue. See picture.

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Sunday, November 5th, 2017 AT 6:23 AM

ROBBIE JOSACK

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6 POSTS

So I removed axle. It was broken inside the large bushing(don't know name) near the rotor. I replaced it and it seems to work fine. Had to order a transmission pan gasket because I removed it previously and that part comes in this afternoon. Once I put the pan and fluid on I will let you know the results. Thank you so much for the info, I believe my problem is resolved

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Sunday, November 5th, 2017 AT 9:01 AM

WRENCHTECH

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20,758 POSTS

OK good, glad ti hear it.

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Sunday, November 5th, 2017 AT 9:04 AM

ROBBIE JOSACK

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Update. I have replaced the transmission pan with a new gasket, filled with atf, and replaced the driver side cv axle. The car is running like new. Thank you so much for your help Wrenchtech. You're advice is greatly appreciated.

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