Transmission feels like in neutral in all gears?

TROD

MEMBER
2011 SUZUKI EQUATOR
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
50,000 MILES

Went to change from reverse to drive, truck did not go into gear. It felt like in neutral whether in park, drive, or reverse. There were no popping or other sounds. The engine will rev normally when pushing accelerator but won't go into gear. I had to put the parking brake on to keep it from rolling. What could be the issue?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

Hi,

If you lost park, either the shift linkage is disconnected, or we have a broken universal joint. If you look under the vehicle, inspect the drive shaft to see if it is properly connected between the transmission and rear differential. (See pic 1 below for universal joint locations). Don't be afraid to grab the drive shaft and wiggle it to see if there is excessive play at either end.

If that appears okay, check to see if the shift lever on the transmission moves when you select gears. You will need a helper for this.

The lever is controlled by a shift cable. (See pic 2) See if it is attached and moves when shifting.

Pic 3 shows the shift cable in the vehicle. The cable I didn't identify in the pic is for the shift lock and isn't the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.

Images (Click to make bigger)