# 2003 Chevrolet Impala won't shift to second

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, transmissions, impala\
**Created:** [April 13, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606 "2018-04-13T20:36:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NicholeRoberts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/13edae/32.png) [@NicholeRoberts](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NicholeRoberts)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606/1 "2018-04-13T20:36:11Z")

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I have an 03 Chevy impala and the current problem i am having is when i’m driving the car wont switch into second. the rpms just clime high an it sound like i’m in neutral rimming the engine up. i have lots of people tell me its the transmission but had a few tell me it could be the timing. do you have any ideas or have any similar issues

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606/2 "2018-04-13T20:42:20Z")

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Timing ? Not a chance that is your problem. You describe classic transmission problem. Find an independent shop. And those that said timing, don’t ask them any more questions.

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**Author:** ![Nichole\_Roberts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Nichole\_Roberts](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nichole_Roberts)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606/3 "2018-04-13T21:01:59Z")

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thats what i was afraid of… so i guess my next question would be do you think a change of the fluids would help at all

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2018, 2:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-chevrolet-impala-wont-shift-to-second/115606/4 "2018-04-14T14:08:07Z")

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> [@Nichole\_Roberts](#):
>
> do you think a change of the fluids would help at all

At this point… unlikely. Shifting poorly can often be helped with a fluid change. Not shifting into 2nd won’t likely be cured.