1995 Pontiac Grand Am Car goes into reverse, drive, etc. Bu

Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
My car will click into reverse, drive, neutrel, etc, but will not move. After several attempts clicking through the gears, it will go. Once it is moving, it shifts from drive to reverse no problem. Once I put it back into park, it does the same thing all over again.
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 10:11 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Is the trans fluid full and clean? Have any of the check engine lights come on?

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Fluid is pretty clean. Not perfect but very slightly discolored and does not smell burnt. My check engine light comes on and goes off but not all the time.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Okay, so today its totally dead. No power at all. Turn the key and nothing. No power locks, radio, notta. And I did check the battery, which has a full charge and is working great. Any ideas now? Been told it may be something electrical that would explain both of these problems
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
I need you to check for an electrical draw. It is easy to do. If there is a draw, remove one fuse at a time until the draw stops. At that point, we will know which circuit may be causing the problem. Here is a how to for checking:

https://www.2carpros.com/first_things/why_is_my_car_battery_dead_over_night.htm

Let me know what you find.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 12:13 AM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
A mechanic friend of mine checked all the fuses and he said they were all good. We pulled them one by one and still nothing. Its just dead. Had to be dragged onto a flatbed to take to my house. I think it may be beyond repair at this point, or at least not cost effective based on the value of the car. I think she decided to retire herself.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Was the battery recharged when you checked for a draw?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Battery was never dead, had full charge. The car itself has no power. When you turn the key. Nothing, not even a click, notta. My battery is fine and my alternator is getting power, just nothing else.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, August 9th, 2010 AT 8:14 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Have you considered checking the ignition switch?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 AT 12:17 AM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Would that explain both my power issue and my transmission issue? Or is it just my luck 2 things went wrong at once?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
It could have an affect on both.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010 AT 11:44 PM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Is there any simple way to check this? Will it read on a diagnostic machine? My mechanic friend has a portable one.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
Actually, the switch needs removed to check it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
DAGSLER
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
How do I go about checking the switch? Where is it and how do I remove it? How do I test it once its out? Is it an expensive part?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,164 POSTS
The ignition switch is located on the lower section of the steering column. It needs removed and then you check for continunity when it is in different positions. I would recommend having a tech check it for you.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, August 13th, 2010 AT 6:03 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links