I have a 2003 Altima 2.5. For past couple of months, there has been an intermittent "clunk" when accelerating from a stop, or when going from "Park" to "Drive". Reminded me of a car with broken motor mount that I had 30 years ago, but when I took it in, motor mounts checked out fine and it wouldn't "clunk" for them. Last night, starting out from a stop sign, it "clunk"ed and stopped moving. Engine was fine, but it acts as if the transmission isn't even there. Fluid proper level, not burnt and no particles. Shift lever moves, but nothing happens ... even in "Park" (can push back and forth as if car was in "Neutral"!"
Check your driveshaft from the trans to wheel (both L and R). Possibly it popped out or is disconnected.
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Thank you for your contribution, Gary ... your response has shown me that I have not clearly described the problem.
The drive train can be (very) simply diagrammed as something like this:
[A: Engine]
|----+----|
|
+--->>---[X1: TorqueConv.+?Unknown?]
|------------+------------|
|
+->>-[B: Transmission]
|-------+-------|
|
+-----<<-----+
|
+----<<-----+----->>----+
| [X2: L|R Drive Shaft] |
[X2:L]-> | | <-[X2:R]
| |
+-->>--[C: Wheels]--<<--+
Power begins in the Engine [A], is transferred to the Transmission [B] through the Torque Converter & other parts [X1]. The Transmission [B] eventually transfers the resulting torque through the Drive Shaft(s) [X2] to the Wheels [C].
In my car, the engine is running fine, but is unable to pass the power along. The wheels rotate both forward and backward without resistance, regardless of the position of the shift lever. If anything, the car is easier to push with the engine running and the shift lever in either Low, 2nd or in Drive (3rd).
The car also rolls freely and unhindered while the shift lever indicates Park. There appear to be no functional differences between Neutral and Park.
Finally, the fluid is at its proper level, not overly dark or burnt (in either color or smell), and contains no foreign particles.
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