2009 CR-V will start, but will not move when shifted into drive, neutral, or rear.

1639 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by chidog, 5 mo ago

seallover

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

My dad's CR-V has been sitting unused for two years, so it's not surprising that there may be some issues that have come up. We were able to revive the battery using an Energizer 4 Amp charger and now the car starts fine. However, the most peculiar problem is that when the parking brake is released and the gear is shifted from park to reverse, drive or neutral, the vehicle doesn't move. I don't experience any resistance or difficulty shifting gears and the car does register that the gears have been changed as the rear lights or parking brake lights turn on. The car is currently stuck in the garage and I would greatly appreciate any help in getting it running again so I can take it to a shop for repairs and maintenance.

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Wes Kootenay

· #2 · 5 mo ago

Just a guess. Sounds like the car has been sitting with the park brake engaged, maybe the brake shoes aren't releasing. If you jack the car up, in neutral, can you turn the wheels by hand?

Reactions: 5

DashingDaryl

· #3 · 5 mo ago

Did the car drive fine when it was parked? Have you checked the transmission fluid? I like the stuck brake idea. That would be an inexpensive and easy fix. If you don't want to jack the car up, you can switch it into neutral and try pushing it to see if it rolls.

You should also probably try checking the air pressure in the tires. There is a good chance that after two years of sitting, there is a flat spot in the tires.

wmurky

· #4 · 5 mo ago

I agree parking brakes are stuck

Black Pearl UK

· #5 · 5 mo ago

If the parking brakes are stuck on, if you drive forward, the rear axle should pull down, indicating you do actually have transmission movement

Look for that

Reactions: 2

Carbuff2

· #6 · 5 mo ago

"Will not move in neutral" is another indicator that the brakes are stuck.

If the rear wheels will not turn when jacked off the ground, I recommend removing the rear rotors/parking brake drums and having them trued-up. (If you don't replace them) <<--- recently brought an old Corolla back to life, and the rusty rear drums prevented the parking brake from holding.

Reactions: 1

fishycomics

· #7 · 5 mo ago

car up in neutral and off try revolving a tire to free.

chidog

· #8 · 5 mo ago

So when you try to move it with the engine does it load the engine at all or just act like it is in neutral all the time?

seallover

Discussion Starter · #9 · 5 mo ago

Thanks all for answering, I will try to jack the car up, but at this point the wheels don't budge at all in neutral after multiple pushes by myself and some friends. What's also interesting is that the rpm revs up as if it is in park when I press on it in drive or rear with no physical movement. Is that an indication that the parking brakes are stuck?

Black Pearl UK

· #10 · 5 mo ago

No, that would be an indication that your transmission clutch is not engaging.

Attach a tow rope to the front of the car and have a friend pull it out with their car. Then you can have it towed to a garage for inspection/repair.

Reactions: 1

Black Pearl UK

· #11 · 5 mo ago

Also, when you put the gear selector into drive, do you see a flashing D on the dashboard or a constant lit up D??

Wes Kootenay

· #12 · 5 mo ago

seallover said:
Thanks all for answering, I will try to jack the car up, but at this point the wheels don't budge at all in neutral after multiple pushes by myself and some friends. What's also interesting is that the rpm revs up as if it is in park when I press on it in drive or rear with no physical movement. Is that an indication that the parking brakes are stuck?

My thought on jacking it was: if the rear wheels can't be turned - park brake stuck, front wheels - transmission problem of some sort

??

DashingDaryl

· #13 · 5 mo ago

Did you check the transmission fluid level? After 2 years, you should check all the fluids and look for puddles under the car.

Reactions: 2

chidog

· #14 · 5 mo ago

DashingDaryl said:
Did you check the transmission fluid level? After 2 years, you should check all the fluids and look for puddles under the car.

This is most important !!

TremorCRV

· #15 · 5 mo ago

I agree, the car not moving when in neutral sounds like a stuck shoe. The car revving freely when in D or R is another world.
Jacking it up and spinning would give us more to work with. Also, is it 2WD or 4WD? If it´s a 4WD the front will spin harder if the rear is locked by the brake shoe.

Reactions: 1

UK-Kev

· #16 · 5 mo ago

Hello,

I have seen lot’s of questions and suggestions saying that the brakes are stuck on, this could well be the case – But for me there are a few questions that have not been answered like is it a 2WD or 4WD and have you checked the auto box to see if you have fluid in it yet?

If you have no fluid in the gear box because if it has drained out over the last to years, the torque convertor could be dry, or you could even have the one of the numerous valves dry and locked within the gearbox.

Sorry but some basic checks need to be done first and a little more information.

Reactions: 2

Wes Kootenay

· #17 · 5 mo ago

Checking the OP's 'About' says this is a 2WD EX.

Reactions: 1

Carbuff2

· #18 · 5 mo ago

UK-Kev said:
Sorry but some basic checks need to be done first and a little more information.

That is true...otherwise it is all guesswork.

With a 2-year 'rest' it could be more than one issue...

Reactions: 1

TremorCRV

· #19 · 5 mo ago

Wes Kootenay said:
Checking the OP's 'About' says this is a 2WD EX.

His "About" does say 2WD, but in his post he states it´s his dad CR-V, so we don´t know if those are the same cars.

Reactions: 1

Wes Kootenay

· #20 · 5 mo ago

TremorCRV said:
His "About" does say 2WD, but in his post he states it´s his dad CR-V, so we don´t know if those are the same cars.

Good point.
I hope we hear results soon, I'm curious about this one

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