Shifting from 2nd to 3rd, car stopped going fast. Now it won’t go at all.

Hi – I was driving on a freeway and shifting from 2nd to 3rd and the car then wouldn't go any faster. It was stuck going 20 miles an hour and then when I got to a red light and stopped, the car wouldn't go again. It makes a noise that is like a buzz (similar to a motor cycle) when I push the gas pedal but it won't go. At the parking lot, I can get the car to turn on and I can push the clutch (it feels normal) and shift the car into gear, but it doesn't go. When I push the pedal it just makes a buzzing noise.

My car has 70000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It is possible that your clutch has failed. The sound you are hearing is likely due to the clutch not engaging with the engine due to it being worn. I would recommened having your transmission inspected by a qualified transmission expert to determine if your clutch requires replacement in order to resolve this issue. This inspection may require removal and partial disassembly of the transmission in order to verify that the clutch has failed.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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This kind of reaction is often a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears.
One main reason why the automatic transmission in your car may not be shifting smoothly is the ECM is going bad. It is best to get this checked out by an experienced auto mechanic technician who understands the electrical system. Other indicators include bad connections within, or worn out sensors and faulty solenoids.
If when you put your vehicle into gear and it won`t move, this may be a problem with low transmission fluid due to a leak, the shifter, shifter cable, or it could even be a problem in the valve body of your automatic transmission.
Shifting delays are often caused by many things but most commonly due to poor maintenance or high mileage. Transmission fluid, in addition to acting as a coolant, keeps internal seals lubricated to help prevent hardening or wearing out.
The Vehicle Speed Sensor measures vehicle speed. When it fails the transmission can stop shifting or shift late and harsh. A bad VSS may also inhibit overdrive and the converter clutch.
This is often times a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears.
But a blown fuse No. 38 becomes a likely candidate causing a loss of power to the transmission solenoids.
This may be a sign of low transmission fluid or a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears.
Why does my car not accelerate when I push the gas? A car not accelerating properly can be caused by a number of things. It could be due to the throttle body, gas tank, spark plugs, or the ECU. It could also be because you have a dirty air filter or a clogged fuel filter.
If your automatic transmission is shifting roughly, shifting late, or slipping (engine revving without the car accelerating), it often means that it`s low on transmission fluid. And that`s certainly an easy problem to diagnose: just check the transmission dipstick and see if the oil is low.
When it`s failing, your transmission could give your gear shift an unintended slip to neutral, severely impeding your ability to control your acceleration and, more importantly, deceleration. Your car may feel like it`s struggling to go or isn`t accelerating like it normally does.
Shift solenoid B allows the transmission to shift between 2nd and 3rd gear. When the powertrain control module (PCM) records code P0758, it indicates that the PCM is unable to detect the proper change in engine speed or increase in ground speed that should occur during a 2nd to 3rd gear shift.
Improper Or Harsh Shifting

When there`s no speed signal coming from the sensors, shifting of gears will be a problem because the powertrain control module won`t control them correctly. This will make the transmission not work properly. It will either shift more quickly or roughly than expected.

Therefore, a speed sensor failure will have a direct impact on the automatic transmission operation. If your vehicle has a failed speed sensor then you might notice signs such as hard shifting, limited gear operation, delayed shifting and rough shifts.
For example, in some situations an oxygen sensor can cause poor shifting in your transmission – if the engine isn`t running correctly, the transmission control module may misinterpret when and where it`s supposed to be shifting, causing erratic behavior at the transmission.
Oftentimes, hard shifting can occur when you fail to change transmission fluid at the recommended interval. In the event that your transmission fluid gets low or dirty, your vehicle`s ability to shift could become compromised.
Why Does it Happen? In simple terms, gears grinding stems from the speed of your wheels and engine not being on the same page. This mismatch in speed can cause a very troubling grinding noise. In order for the next gear to change in your gearbox, the shafts for both input and output should move at the same speed.
When the temperature drops, transmission fluids with poor cold-flow properties can thicken and cause elongated and hard shifts until the fluid has warmed up enough to flow properly. Switching to a high-quality synthetic transmission fluid will help.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Shifting from 2nd to 3rd, car stopped going fast. Now it won’t go at all.
ANSWER : It is possible that your clutch has failed. The sound you are hearing is likely due to the clutch not engaging with the engine due to it being worn. I would recommened having your transmission inspected by a qualified transmission expert to determine if your clutch requires replacement in order to resolve this issue. This inspection may require removal and partial disassembly of the transmission in order to verify that the clutch has failed.

My windows won’t go down, my instruments don’t work, my car won’t go in park without shift release
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. In most cases, the problems you’re describing are caused by damage to the electrical system either at the fuse box or through relays that send electrical signals to each component that isn’t working; such as your power windows, instrument panel and others. If the vehicle was exposed to lots of water, this may have damaged the electrical system or the vehicle’s on board computer as well. The best way to reduce the stress, time and money on trying to find the exact source of your problems is to have one of our local mechanics inspect your Honda Accord for electrical problems at your home or office.

My transmission will not downshift at a stop, upshift from a stop, or go in reverse.
ANSWER : Hi there. Most transmissions have shifting issues with the fluid being dirty. First replace the transmission oil filter and do a transmission oil flush. If the fluid is black, do not attempt to change the fluid as it will make the transmission no longer work. Then drive the vehicle and see if the transmission will act up again. If it does, then either the transmission control system (valve body – brain of the transmission) has a mass cross leak or the transmission is slipping and needs rebuilt or replaced. I recommend seeking out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you diagnose your transmission.

Car won’t move. I can start the car but when I put the shifter in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect. The car will not move.
ANSWER : The transaxle is not engaging internally to the axle shafts inside the transaxle or you have one or both axle shafts disengaged from the transaxle. The fact that the speedometer moves when gear is engaged and clutch is released shows the speed sensor in the transaxle is getting turned.

You will need to have the vehicle raised and the axles inspected for broke or stripped shafts. If the axles do not have anything visually wrong with them then hold one wheel and try to turn the other wheel while transaxle is in gear, with engine off, to see if the wheels are locked together. When you spin one wheel the other wheel should turn in the opposite direction. If it does not then the problem is in the transaxle differential gears and the transaxle would need to be removed and disassembled to find the broken internal components.

If you need some assistance with this, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians can come to your home or office to diagnose your acceleration issue and help make the necessary repairs to get you going again.

My car won’t go past 35mph
ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you provided, your vehicle has problems with the transmission again. You stated it will not shift into 3rd gear again, like before the transmission was rebuilt. If the transmission is again the problem, it should be covered under warranty. It could be a faulty shift solenoid. The shift indicator not reading properly could be a faulty transmission position sensor. If this is an overall lack of performance issue, according to your last statement, then possibly you have a restriction in the exhaust system. I recommend having your vehicle’s problems inspected and diagnosed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.

I was stopped on the freeway, started to go about 5 mph, the car jerked and stop without warning like the wheels locked up.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. I’d be happy to try to help. It is hard to definitively diagnose what the issue is. At first it seems like a transmission issue. Automatic transmissions are rather complicated and can do strange things when they malfunction. If not an issue with the transmission, you could also have a clutch issue. Always start by checking the simple components first. Check your transmission fluid level. Make sure your transmission filter is clean and debris free. When you have the transmission pan off, you can look and see if there are any metal shavings at the bottom. There is often a small magnet at the bottom of the pan designed to gather any metal shavings for a quick diagnosis. This is a sign of more serious transmission problems. Unless you have experience with automatic transmissions, it is not recommended that major repairs be done at home. I suggest taking your car to a transmission specialist for help.

Car shifts hard and rpms rev high on there own or car doesn’t shift at all, ABS and traction control lights are on also. 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt
ANSWER : Hi there – first task is to be sure the transmission fluid is at the proper level, and in good condition (more pink than black, and no burned smell). Low fluid, or dirty fluid, can cause lots of unexpected transmission behavior. The second task is to check for problem codes, whether the Check Engine light is illuminated or not. The possible problem we’re looking for here is a failing throttle position sensor – which interacts with the transmission controller and affects shifting behavior. I recommend a transmission inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

My car barely shifts gears, so hard to shift , now won’t go into park!!
ANSWER : Hi there. Your car has a safety switch on the transmission that will only allow the vehicle to start in park gear with an automatic transmission. If you’re having problems with the shifter, it’s quite possible that either the shifting lever is dirty, or clogged with debris and needs to be cleaned or there is a bracket under the shifter that is damaged. In either case, having a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to shift inspection is the best way to resolve this problem.