So I have had this issue for the last couple months where when I first start the car, shifting to Drive (automatic transmission) doesn't do anything. Pressing the gas only revs the engine, as if in neutral. Shifting down to low gears (1 and 2) has the same outcome. Reverse performs as expected, I can back up with no problem. Only after a few minutes of idling does the car slowly, almost grudgingly, pull away. I checked trans fluid and I'm good, and I don't see any leaks. Since I have been coping with this problem for a while, I did notice a few things.
1. The car will only move once my rpms (while in Drive) drop below 1000.
2. Upon first starting the car and shifting to Drive, I originally idle at about 1500, then as the engine warms I steadily drop until I start to move (below 1000).
3. Revving up to about 4000 rpms decreases the time it takes to "warm up" and drop the needle below 1000.
So my questions are (a)what could be the cause? My gears obviously aren't connecting until a certain rpm. Why? (b) why do I originally idle high, then steadily drop?