This evening, while backing out of a parking space, my '91 (auto trans) 420SEL got stuck in reverse. I could move the shifter into all positions, but it continued to reverse only. I also could not move the steering wheel. I was able to 'unstick' it by turning off and restarting my car. It drove fine after that, however, it did shudder quite violently whenever I stopped at lights on the way home.

I'm not very knowledgable about cars (though I'm trying to learn), but I'll give you a little history of the way my car acts - whether or not these things are relevant is beyond me:

I've had it for about 6 months - It has always shuddered somewhat on and off at traffic stops. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. It hasn't seemed to relate to weather or temperature in any way.

It tends to 'lurch' when changing from drive to reverse and vice versa. (in fact, it's name is Lurch)


So what do you guys think? Transmission? Linkage?

 

I would guess a transmission/engine mounts, flex disks, and shifter bushings. The bushings may be the reason for getting stuck in reverse.

 

Same thing happen to me (stuck in first) but its because i f***ed up my trans when i was trying to replace the trans fluid, I was about to rebuild my tranny but all it needed was new bushings and the car was good to go

 

Try the shifter bushings and a transmission service.
The lurching is normal if you compare the reverse to drive to an american transmission. It is not as smooth as an American trans would be.