Engine shuts off when put in gear

There are a few possible reasons why a car would stall in reverse. The usual suspects include a bad solenoid, failing clutch pack, low fluid level, or a bad torque converter.

• A faulty solenoid can cause the car to stall when shifted into reverse.

  Car idles fine but dies when put in gear

• Car stalls in drive but not reverse
• Turned car off in reverse and now it won't start
• Car stalls when reversing uphill
• Car stalls in reverse when cold

Solenoids help control the flow of transmission fluid through the valve body of your vehicle. If the solenoid pack is not working properly, fluid cannot be routed to different parts of your vehicle’s transmission system. This eventually causes shifting problems and may even result in stalling in reverse.

• Another possible problem is that the clutch packs are worn out or damaged beyond repair.

  Clutch packs are responsible for locking and unlocking different sets of gears inside your transmission system like power steering systems change direction with hydraulic cylinders . When these clutch packs start to wear out over time because of rust or excessive heat (and thus friction), they can no longer lock properly—which could cause stalling if you shift into reverse while moving forward at high speed.

A bad solenoid

To understand why, you

car stalls while in reverse

can car stall in reverse