Hello All,

I am new to the LS family and recently bought a 95 LS400 for $500.00. My major issue is no reverse, the car acts like it is in park and will not roll forward or backward (reverse lights are illuminating) . If I select neutral I can drive as if I was in D. I have checked the tranny fluid and it looks spot on, pink, and does not smell burned. No CEL, no codes from OBD2, and the shift linkage looks good so I am kinda stuck. Could this be an ECU issue? Car drives perfectly in drive, no hard shifts or hesitation so its hard to believe the transmission is going out. Has anyone experienced this problem before? I have been searching for days with no luck. Thank you!

 

I would check for a bent shift linkage, or switch out the range sensor. I think the range sensor is located on the passenger side of the transmission.

 

Thank you, much appreciated! I will check it out this weekend, fingers crossed its something simple.

 

You may try replacing a neutral safety switch, not sure if Onejay is referring to it as the same.. It communicates with the ECM by telling it to only start in park and neutral, and to drive in only the drive gears.

 

Update, the transmission range sensor or TR sensor, is different from the Neutral safety switch, but it prevents the starter from operating in gears other than P & N.

 

I have a '95 LS400 of which I replaced the NSS because the starter wouldn't crank at all in neutral or park. I then ad an electric guy test it, replaced it and it fired right up. So, you may need to have the TR sensor adjusted after it's checked by an electrical guy. Good luck.

 

Did you ever find out a solution for this issue? Im dealing with the same thing and information for this topic isnt as deep as others

 

Perhaps shifter link bushings are shot;

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/833283-transmission-gear-shifter-rod-bushings.html