What do I need fixed on my car?

Question

Ok. I know this is really really stupid. But on new years, I had a beginner driver be the sober cab for my car It was raining outside, dark out, possibly slippery. We were going like 70-75 on the highway and she bumps the shifter into neutral looking for her phone, then she spilled her chips all over the place, got all nervous, then somehow shifts into reverse. The car made all the clicking/crunching noises, stalles and stops on the highway. Somehow after the yelling we got it started back up and made it onto the shoulder, but thats it, it won't go anymore, it just makes horrible noise and won't move unless it's in park. Some say it might not be the entire tranny? CV joints, drive shafts? or something? that might be great!? or a lot less money.
('02 Chevy Prizm)
I know this was dumb
thanks

It makes noise unless it's in park. Park is fine, but the car won't move.. thanks..

Would this make the check engine light come on? Because it was never on before, but this isn't the engine.. I think the shifter might have hit park. This was all a bad luck start to my new year.

Answer 1

If the transmission really did go into reverse while going down the road at highway speeds. I would say a planetary gearset or another hardpart shattered and that would be the cause of the noise. Most newer automatics will not shift into reverse like that though. Are you sure it wasn't thrown all the way into park, as that would explain the grinding noises and such, and could have caused the output sungear to shatter where it splines onto the output shaft, which would cause a bunch of noise when put in gear.

In any case, it looks like the transmission needs to be pulled apart and inspected. You could probably find a good used transmission in a junkyard and have it swapped for A LOT cheaper than a rebuild, as in your case is going to require a few hardparts that aren't included in the price of most rebuild quotes and can drive the rebuild price up quite a bit depending on the parts needed.

Answer 2

First off, DON'T USE A CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING.

Now, you state car moves in PARK. That's not good. Park is for keeping car from moving. Parking Pawl is probably sheared off. Definitely tranny issues. Going that fast and reversing moving parts spells trouble for tranny.

Did we learn anything from this? I hope so. Good luck.

Answer 3

Your irresponsible freind just destroyed your transmission.... it is GONE.... you will need either a used one or new. But since it is a chevy prism it wont be too expensive, no more than a $1000 for new. Well I guess that will be a late xmas gift huh? I would strangle the person who did it!!!

Answer 4

your sober driver blew up the planetary gears in your transmission. no doubt about it. you are looking at approx. $1100.00 for a basic rebuild plus any hard parts needed. the hard parts will be determined once the transmission is out of the vehicle and disassembled.

Answer 5

sounds like your transmission is gone. and it sometimes will throw a check engine light if you do that. get engine and tranny checked out, atleast get the code read and go from there.

Answer 6

what do you mean it wont move "unless it's in park"? Man If your car moves in park you got troubles! But from the sound of it ......you probably lost your trans.
Let me know what you mean moves in park

Answer 7

Your tranny is toast! Go to your local J-yard and get another one, then find a tranny shop and have it replaced.

Answer 8

on an automatic you're toast. in a stick replace the flywheel.