Driving didn't want to go into drive?

2016 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
200,000 MILES • 1.8L • AUTOMATIC
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SAVAGECLOWN
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the car was driving great. but it all of a sudden didn't want to go into drive. it will reverse just fine. but when it's put into drive it will Rev and everything but it won't move. we thought it was the transmission fluid so we filled it and it would start working again but after a couple days it would stop again so it's not the transmission fluid.
Jul 10, 2026 at 1:09 AM
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STRAILER
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So, is the transmission leaking fluid? is it low again? Also, what is the condition of the fluid, is it burnt? You can tell by smelling it, if it is burnt chances are the transmission needs to be rebuilt @ 200 k it had its time, but can I ask if you have any trouble codes? It might be an input shaft sensor, Here is a video how how to get the codes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBCpCWEFnTg&t=1s

Please go over this guide and get back to me.

Jul 10, 2026 at 9:26 PM
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KRAKENAUTO
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
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I agree with the other pro above, we need to know if it's still leaking, fluid condition and if there are any active codes in the system to help any further. That sort of mileage could very well be end of its life for that transmission.
Jul 11, 2026 at 11:22 PM
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SAVAGECLOWN
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no there isn't any leaks. the transmission fluid doesn't come out burnt. and the only code that showed up was for the catalic converter
Jul 12, 2026 at 3:29 AM
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STRAILER
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Does it make any strange sounds while it is in gear and not moving forward? If not the transmission can have a hard part broken inside so the unit will need to come apart and inspected. The only other thing I can think of is the pressure regulating control solenoid but usually it will have a code for it, also you can try a relearn which I have provided. This can also be a bad TCM, I would remove the electrical connector and look for corrosion at the connector. Check out the images (below). Please upload an image or a short video in your response, so I can see what's going on.
Jul 12, 2026 at 5:12 PM
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SAVAGECLOWN
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which electrical connector should I take pics or videos of? also, I took it to a auto shop for some repairs (body repairs) and when I got it back the people that worked on it messed up a few things and I had to have someone else fix what they messed up. so I honestly think that they may have did something to it because it didn't start acting up til after I got the car back.
Jul 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
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STRAILER
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Yep, that might be true but until we find the problem we don't know. Since there is no codes chances are there is somethin wrong inside the transmission or the TCM is bad. I would check the electrical connectors first though. One is at the transmission case and the the other is a the TCM near the battery, here are the locations. Check out the images (below). Let me know how it goes
Jul 13, 2026 at 2:35 PM
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SAVAGECLOWN
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I'm going to check those connections today and send some pics. in the meantime here is a quick video I took when it first started happening.
Jul 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM
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STRAILER
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Thanks for the video, it is either low on fluid or the transmission is broken internally, you can hear it when the engine is running. Here is how to check the level. Check out the images (below). Please let me know what happens.
Jul 14, 2026 at 12:32 AM
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