1991 Nissan Sentra Won't engage in gear

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MTIGGER1959
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Transmission problem
1991 Nissan Sentra 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My daughter has a 1991 Nissan Sentra w/automatic. The car starts and the gear shifter moves, but will not engage in any gears. My husband replaced the governor gear and the half shaft for the drivers side, checked the fluids but still nothing happens. The car will not start in Park, only in neutral. Am hopeful someone has some ideas besides a bad tranny...she just bought it a month ago and we can't afford to replace the tranny, my husband drove it before she bought it and there was no sign of problems.
Nov 6, 2010 at 6:08 PM
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KHLOW2008
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 41,812 POSTS
Hi mtigger1959,

If problems occurred after replacement of the axle shafts, recheck the installation. Is there any abnormal noises when shifted to D or R?

With gear in Park, release the handbrake and if vehicle can be pushed forward or reverse, the axle shafts or drive trains is not connected correctly to the transmission.

The car not starting in park indicates a possible shift cable or Park/Neutral pisition switch. Try adjusting it first.
Nov 6, 2010 at 9:51 PM
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