Causes of Automatic Cars Not Being Able to Reverse & How to Overcome It

For you automatic car users, you may have often experienced your automatic car not being able to reverse. What actually happens and why can it be like that? Through this post, we will discuss it thoroughly.

Automatic cars are the type of car that has become a favorite among women and beginner drivers. This is because these cars are very easy to operate, making them popular among many groups. 

However, automatic cars often encounter problems. One of them is not being able to reverse. Here is information on the causes of a car not being able to reverse and how to overcome it.

Read Also: 4 Causes of Automatic Car Engine Not Starting

Causes of Automatic Cars Not Being Able to Reverse

Below are 4 common causes if an automatic car cannot move forward or reverse. 

1. Damage to the Switch or Gear Lever of the Car

When a car cannot reverse, it may be caused by damage to the switch or gear lever of the car.

This damage can be indicated by the transmission mode light being on incorrectly, for example, you are driving the car but the automatic car lever shows the parking mode.

A damaged lever will disrupt the operational function of the car's steering, causing the car to stutter when reversing.

2. Broken Solenoid Cable

The second cause is a broken solenoid cable. The solenoid cable is the cable that connects the steering system with all the devices inside the car. 

3. Broken Return Shift or Reverse Gear Ratio

Do you often experience your automatic car's transmission jerking? For those of you still using first-generation automatic cars that use conventional automatic transmissions, which are mechanical in nature, usually the car cannot reverse and jerks. This is caused by a broken return shift or reverse gear ratio.

4. Rarely Changing Transmission Oil

Transmission oil plays a significant role in maintaining the lifespan of the car's transmission to reach its ideal age and even extend the lifespan of the car's transmission.

You must change it regularly, especially if the oil has changed color to dark or brownish.

Rarely changing transmission oil causes automatic transmission failure and makes it difficult for the car to reverse. 

How to Overcome an Automatic Car That Cannot Reverse

After knowing the causes, also know the solutions and how to fix the problem of an automatic car that cannot reverse.

1. Identify the Damage to the Car's Transmission

The first step to solving the problem of a car that cannot reverse is to identify the damage to the transmission.

You can learn what a transmission is, the causes of transmission damage, and how to maintain the transmission according to your car manufacturer's maintenance manual. 

2. Regularly Check the Condition of the Solenoid Cable

When the solenoid cable has problems, you can immediately unplug the problematic cable. Conduct regular inspections, so if the condition is not feasible, you can proceed with the replacement process.

3. Check the Condition of the Gear Lever

A simple way to know if the gear lever is problematic is that the transmission mode will usually be in parking mode even though the car is moving, and vice versa.

4. Change the Return Shift or Reverse Gear Ratio

The next way to fix a car that cannot reverse is to change the return shift or reverse gear ratio from the old generation to the latest product. 

5. Always Check Transmission Oil

As explained earlier, transmission oil greatly affects the performance of the car and the lifespan of the car's transmission.

Therefore, draining the transmission oil must be done regularly to avoid this problem. Additionally, to ensure that the automatic transmission does not fail quickly.

Immediately replace the transmission oil if it is accompanied by metal shavings and the oil changes color to darker and brownish.

Read Also: Causes of Automatic Car Transmission That Cannot Shift Gears

6. Conduct a Test Drive

If you have followed the above steps, the next step is to conduct a test drive to prove whether the automatic car can reverse properly.

However, if the condition of the transmission switch is still heavy when shifted, makes strange noises, or the car occasionally stutters or jerks, it is advisable to consult this issue at an official Daihatsu workshop for proper handling.