Expert: Mike Evans - 6/10/2009

Question
My car is an automatic transmission and it will not go in reverse. it drives in neutral and is neutral in reverse. None of the gears are reverse. Can you help?

Answer
    Sounds like the linkage between the shift lever and the transmission itself has become damaged.  They usually use a cable, and it could have become stretched or kinked.  You want to be careful, 'cause the Park function may not be working correctly either, and you don't want the car to roll down a hill while you're not in it.  Make sure you use the handbrake at all times.  You should probably get a garage to look at this, as getting into the space under the car where the cable is will not be easy.