Why won't my automatic transmission shift into gear? Car turns on, not driving.
What is your question?
Car started losing power while driving on freeway with some shuddering and whining, slowed to a crawl, then stopped and refused to continue. when gas applied, white smoke coming from below car on driver's side, where my automatic transmission is located. Starts up just fine, but refuses to shift into any other gear and will not drive. when I checked the trans fluid the day after I broke down, it was empty. Filled 2 qts back in, but dipstick is light, can't really read it, but unsure if I should put more fluid in. I can hear a strange rattling/electircal shorting or fluid burning off noise from near the transmission that is an erratic sound. Some smoke (white) burning off around engine block (could be from coolant, radiator hose came unconnected during the breakdown at some point). Car has an external engine oil leak, but doesn't seem to eat much oil, don't know if its affecting my transmission or would if I got it fixed. Any help is VERY appreciated. I'm very broke and about to move back into my car which does not even drive right now. Please give me good information. Do I need to replace my transmission? Or are there simpler tricks? Tried to shift again after pouring in the fluid, still no movement or shifting.
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Hello,
The white smoke is likely from the coolant, but the transmission failing to engage gear with a severe loss of fluid means you will need to identify where the fluid is leaking.
Let me know what you find when you look underneath, there has to be a leak somewhere to lose that much fluid.
