Check the motor mounts
When we have this problem, we turn the ignition off and shift into neutral, restart the engine and it can then be shifted into drive or reverse.
Top of the transmission.. on a manual shift, it should be just behind and to the left of the shift column.
behind the stick shift
Try bypassing the reverse light switch that plugs into the transmission. If your reverse lights come on, voila! Problem solved. Buy a new switch.
In the 1985 Nissan 300ZX, the reverse light switch is located on the transmission. Specifically, it is usually mounted on the side of the transmission case, near the shift lever. When the transmission is in reverse, the switch is activated, allowing the reverse lights to illuminate. If you need to access it, you may need to raise the vehicle for better visibility.
sounds like the auto transmission has a fault
In the car there's a small hole by the shift gears, take cover off, we used a metal nail file To press down, this now lets you shift gears.
shift to nutral,then move lever to reverse
Sounds like a problem with the idler gear in between the reverse gear and the layshaft.
after starting engine with automatic transmission won't shift into reverse ?
you put the gear in reverse and slowly let up the clutch until the car starts moving. then just ride the clutch so you don't kill the engine.
Do you have engine sludge? What all do you do with the car?