Why won't my Pt cruiser automatic transmission shift out of low gear?

Answer 1

First off check your fluid levels make sure they are ok. This is usualy done with the car running on a flat surface usually with the car in park or neutral.

If this just happend one day out of the blue, or it does an intermittant problem it is a possiblity it is an electrical issue probably a short in the TCM(transmission control modual) which is a $200 part. Or the shift solenoid which is around $150 part

If the problem happend slowly with slugish shifting or hard punching shifting leading to lag on take offs and lag between shifts until it slowly would not shift it is a enternal problem and your looking at $100-$200 for a rebuild kit and if you do it yourself 2-3 days of labor if you have a shop do it probably looking at anywhere form $900-$2400 depending on geographical location and severity of the damage done inside.

Remember also it could be as simple as corrosion on checkballs in the valve body clogged valves due to build up but still this requires removal of and opening of the transmission. So even a small internal fix could get costly if you are not mechanically enclined.

If you are mechanically enclined and have done alot of your own car work but never engine work. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF IT, its not that hard just buy the book and be confident in your work. I rebuilt my transmission myself back when I was 19 just got the book fallowed the steps took 2 days on my 91 camaro.

P.S. Please remember im not encouraging anyone to tackle this problem on their own. Nor may my answers be 100% correct they are just bassed off my knowlege of mechanical parts and the way cars work. I AM NOT AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC.

However I am an A&P mechanic so i do have alot of mechanical and troubleshooting knowlege.

I would say you have a great chance of it being the shift solenoid which it probably a $100-$150 part.