i am having trouble with my reverse gear in my 1989 420sel. what is the problem?

jp, for the brain trust here to provide any help you will have to be more specific as to the nature of the trouble. is there a delay in reverse's engaging? or is there some other malady?

I put my car in reverse and it will not go, I have to rev the engine to get it to make it move. Sometimes it jumps into reverse and then it moves. My trasnsmission fluid has been leaking, too. But I don't think the 2 problems are that connected. When I had my spark plugs cleaned, the reverse was great (that was before I got on this website and figured out what the problem was)

mt guess is that the brain trust will advise you to check the transmission fluid level as a start. this is done with transmission fluid at operating temperature. drive for approximately 10 miles to accomplish this. stop. leave the engine running. transmission in park and the car on level ground. check the transmission fluid level. there are two marks on the transmission dipstick. correct level is anywhere between the two marks. may very well be that you will find the level below the lower mark. if so, add a little transmission fluid at a time. say in four ounce increments. i will pass on the spark plug thought as it has nothing to do with the reverse gear status. good luck.