I've been noticing lately that on a cold start the car won't reverse. I can switch the gear and feel the gear changing but it would just rev out and go nowhere. I would have to wait until the car reaches somewhere near operating temperature (around 10 mins later) for it actually move in reverse. It can still be driven forward regardless of temp. Any ideas what this could be? - 98 GS400 btw

 

Sounds like the lip seals in the transmission are getting old and hard. When it warms up, they get softer and actually seal. Or a possible stuck valve in the valve body and the body expands enough when its hot to allow valve movement.

 

did you try putting it in reverse? lol jkjk but ive had something similar like this happen to me but it was in reverse and drive but it would only happen a couple times but at the same time my battery didnt have enough juice n e more to start the car (on/off) changed the battery and it went all away not sure if that might fix the so said problem but it worked for me