How bad is it when car won't go over 20 mph, dash lights on?

Question

Not my car, thank heavens. What could be the problem?

Answer 1

bad

the car is done if no immediately care

Answer 2

If the check engine light is flashing, the engine controls kick  the controls  to the limp home mode.

If could be something simple, like a missing cylinder (one or more bad plugs, wires or coils).

Or something catastrophic.

Until the engine codes are read out, no idea.

Most dealers charge 80 dollars to do this.

You can buy an OPD code reader for less then 100 dollars at auto-zone. The model specific codes can be found on the internet (search for "opd codes" model make year).

If you plan on taking the car to a shop, do not clear the codes. If you think you can fix it with out taking it to a mechanic, attempt the repair,  clear the codes and see if they come back.

Answer 3

carburetor!

Answer 4

catalytic convert, spark plus  

Answer 5

definitely sounds like a transmission problem

Answer 6

your transmission auto clutch probably went out or if its standard you probably killed your transmission either way its def. a trans problem

Answer 7

Park it, fill it with dirt and plant flowers in it.