The transmission may not shift or engage in forward or reverse until the car warmed up for a few reasons. Two examples of why the transmission will not engage is low or no fluid levels or a leak.
Bang depending on the vehicle, you will ruin the transmission.
has a full charge won't go forward or reverse
If the transmission is slipping or shifting badly it COULD be a sign of a valve body failure. If the transmission will not engage reverse or any of the forward gears, it COULD be a sign of a valve body failure.
My 2001 hyundai accent has no reverse
if you feel or hear it engage when put in reverse but will not move or even roll down the drive way. But rolls fine in neutral. a clutch pack is engaged that should not be.
It's a matter of replacing the reverse position swith in the transmission. This switch tells the computer wheter it's in neutral, or reverse and when in reverse it triggers the reverse lights.
the synchros could be out in the transmission where it won't engage reverse. i believe that the check engine light may activate if there is a transmission issue. unfortunately, you will have to take it in for diagnosis.
It sounds like you need a new transmission. I had the same problem but I replaced the transmission and decided to trade it in.
sounds like transmission problem it could be the lever but likely that the teeth on the gear for forward is strip and wont engage...take it to mechanic or take the crankcase transmission case off and play with the gear back and forth to see what its supposed to engage and look at the gear replace if needed...trust me its worth it to do it youself and its pretty easy..just takes some time prolly an 1.5hour!!
1998 ford explorer transmission reverse won't engage, acts like it is in neutral.
The transmission is probably shot. Holding in park is just a pin holding it. It has nothing to do with the transmission engaging. If the fluid is full and nothing works, reverse or any forward gears, the pump is bad or something else internal in the transmission.
Is the car auto or manual? check fluidlevels first, have you noticed any burning smells prior to problem? Does it not engage in all gears including reverse?