Why is my gearbox slipping or not going into gear?
A gearbox that slips, flares between gears, or won't engage usually comes down to low or burnt transmission fluid, a worn clutch (manual), or an internal transmission fault. Fluid and a scan are the first checks — sometimes it's a simple service, sometimes a specialist job, and a diagnostic tells you which before you spend big.
The most common causes
Low or old, burnt fluid is the most common cause of slipping in an auto — and the cheapest to rule out first.
Most common (autos)Revs rising faster than the car, or a burning smell under load, points to a worn clutch.
Manual, revs flareWorn clutches or bands inside an auto cause slipping and harsh or missed shifts — a specialist job.
Harsh / missed shiftsA transmission solenoid or sensor fault can drop it out of gear or shift wrong, and will log a code.
Occasionally it's the shifter linkage or selector, not the gearbox internals — worth confirming before any big repair.
What it costs in Sydney
| Mobile diagnostic + scan | $129 |
| Transmission / clutch repair | Quoted on inspection |
Get it diagnosed — in your driveway.
We check the fluid, scan the transmission, and tell you whether it's a simple fix or a specialist job — with a fixed price either way.
Common questions
Go easy and get it checked soon — a slipping transmission builds heat and damages itself the more it's driven. If it won't engage at all, don't force it.
Often, yes — low or burnt fluid is the most common and cheapest cause of slipping in an automatic, so it's the first thing we check before assuming the worst.
We diagnose it, handle the fluid and common faults, and for full internal rebuilds we'll give you a clear plan and price — including our Euro & JDM specialty work.