Car is dead. Need help.

[Seth]

My car died on me tonight...immediately after turning right at an intersection, the car absolutely refused to accelerate. I was slowly losing speed, so I got into the center turning lane, stopped, and hit my hazard lights.

The car refuses to move. In 1st gear, drive, overdrive (seperate position on the lever in my car), or reverse the car refuses to move an inch. I briefly did try putting the car in neutral but as I was already in a relatively safe position I didn't want to risk sending the car uncontrollable into traffic by getting out to shove. Steering wheel still turns normally and all electrical devices still work. Car is a 1997 Ford Taurus, automatic transmission.

[Fleet]

If a car stalls suddenly, it's usually an electrical problem. If it stumbles and runs for a few seconds, it's usually fuel-related.

[ponytail]

Years ago my truck suddenly died while on the road. Towed it in and it was the alternator. It sucks when your driving and boom, and nothing.

[robyrob]

is the check engine light on? is it running fine but just refuses to move?

it sounds like a transmission problem if the engine is running ok but its not responding at the wheels. have you checked the transmission fluid - it could just be low or need to be changed.

[Marvo301]

My car died like that a couple of months ago. Turns out the transmission was shot. Due to the age of the car and the cost of a new transmission it wasn't worth repairing the car so I am now a pedestrian. I hope your cars problem turns out to be much less serious.

[bandito]

You either have a bad transmission, or you broke a front axle- Cv joint. If your car holds in park you probably need a transmission. Have you checked the fluid?

[Seth]

Car remains motionless in park. And in reverse. And in Drive/Overdrive. And in 1st. I still haven't had a chance to try out neutral since the car was towed to a junkyard by the local police department (I broke down in the middle of the road).

All electronic devices work fine. Car appears to start normally. Service engine soon light's been on for about a week, but as it's been going on and off in cycles for the last year or so I'd been stupidly ignoring it. (I'd kill for a code reader right now).

I'm going to hopefully arrange to have it towed back here tomorrow, at which point time becomes less of a worry and I can really give the car a once-over, fluids check, etc.

[MrCleveland]

My mom's car died on her once 10 years ago, I was visiting my old church and as we were going back home...we found out the 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis just stopped suddenly and someone pushed the car for her.

I'm hoping to get a car soon, but since I don't have much confidence in driving solo...I could use help with that.:(