My E230 1998 model dosent drive when u put it in drive but only drives when you put it in reverse gear only. what could be wrong with the gear box?

gear box fault

Your differential is upside down. Ford model T's had the same problem. It was possible to mount the rear axle upside down which made the car go forward in reverse and backward in forward gears.

This may help: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/274-2nd-generation-2004-2010/199861-04-sienna-transmission-lock.html
There are multiple issues here.Won't crank? Go direct to starter.

Possible recall:http://www.toyoheadquarters.com/threads/2004-2005-2007-2009-toyota-sienna-shift-lock-solenoid-recall-d0r.206/

change filter could help for a minute but clutches are fried in drive

sounds like the cable from the gear stick to the gearbox selector switch has been put on wrong ,put the car into reverse so that the reverse light is on , turn the ignition off and find the gear selector on the gearbox , pop the end of the cable off it then put the gearstick into the "R" position and refit the end of the cable back onto the selector switch , hope this helps

Do you have your foot on the brake when trying?

The GMC I had you stopped, put the gear selector in Neutral, selected 4x4, put the gear selector in reverse and backed up a little then moved it to drive. Same procedure to go back to 2 wheel drive.

yes the linage may have come free from the gear box end,,,

Hi There,

As demonstrated in the test drive of the vehicle, the Tiburons gearstick has a little groove just passed the crown. Starting in nuetral - lift groove up and put it into the reverse position (where gear 6 is normally) by doing this lift you take the gear box to a second level. to move out of reverse simply take the gearstick and return it to nuetral then into first gear, you are now able to drive forward.

Hope this helps,

Cheers Buckaroo,
Chris.

The problem is 8 out of 10 the forward gears .the pump or body valve in the bottom of the box are locking up the forward gear drive band at about the same pressure as driving at 40mph so it just locks up and stalls the engine.
If you want to take off the gearbox pan and remove the body valve assy and check out the piston and forward band .. but there isent to much you can do as the experts will have to do the job.
OR get a second hand g/box and fit it your self but make sure that the converter comes out with the box and goes back on the box before refitting .other wise you will damage the g/b/seal fitting the box and it will leak oil ...