No reverse (update: transmission failure) (1 Viewer)

[airforce1]

Hi guys,

We have a 2008 LX 570. We’re the 3rd owner. 78K miles. No major issues until recently. Car won’t engage in reverse. No dashlights other than a TPMS light from our bad spare tire to be replaced soon. Interesting thing is the when the vehicle was in a slight decline surface, it was engaging after a small neutral coast after a few seconds.

Otherwise car smoothly shifts in all gears.

I have all service records...AHC was previously replaced under warranty and radiator updated. Passenger airbag sensor recently replaced under factory recall.

I am pinning my hopes that no dash lights mean a possible minor fix. We’re taking it into our trusty independent mechanic but thought I can get some ideas before we take her in.

Thanks!

UPDATE: see last post. Problem has been sourced to valve body

Update 2024: LX received rebuilt transmission

 

[TonyP]

Check ATF levels per fsm.

 

[gaijin]

I agree. Low transmission fluid level looks like the most likely suspect.

 

[Weedhopper]

At that age have all the hoses and fittings checked for cracks. I replaced (had replaced) mine and had an external oil cooler added. Cheap when they are in there.

 

[airforce1]

So update on reverse issues:

1. Had ATF flushed and refilled, old ATF looked clean.
2. No tranny error codes
3. No tranny leaks, absolutely clean.
4. Had AT solenoid replaced

We are still encountering reverse issues, particularly when the front end is at a slight decline.

We've been stuck in parking lots a couple of times. Sometimes, waiting a few minutes before turning car on would allow the AT to engage in reverse.

If the vehicle was parked level, it would reverse but would take a sec to engage.

Any ideas you guys might have to troubleshoot our reverse issue?

Thanks!

 

[Sandroad]

As an armchair mechanic this morning, I wonder about a mechanical linkage problem. It sounds like something is loose with the shifter linkage, especially given there are no codes, the fluid is correct, and a vehicle tilt can cause the problem. I have no idea how the shifter works on the 6 speed, but I’d look there next.

 

[bloc]

After a solenoid replacement my next steps would be checking the linkage and valve body. Valve body requires special tools and most likely a competent transmission shop.

 

[CJ3Flyer]

1) Was the pan removed as part of the service, more specifically was the filter changed? 2) Does parking it nose-up or nose-down produce a solid, reverse engagement? 3) Does reverse engage better or worse if you’ve driven a bit but DIDN’T shut it off?

Is it possible it’s not picking up fluid properly due to a poorly sealed filter? Perhaps the filter/pick-up has a check valve that has failed (start engine and reverse performs poorly but after driving reverse works ok).

Just random thoughts I would have knowing a little about transmissions but not having expertise with this specific transmission.

 

[airforce1]

CJ, It occurs when car is nose down. As for when it likely occurs, it seems random.

It doesn’t occur all the time. If we are parked in a relatively level parking space (house garage for example) then reverse engages.

When it does occur, it wouldn’t reverse immediately parked after a long day of driving.

Or after we are parked for at least 30 minutes dining at a restaurant it wouldn’t reverse.

My mechanic will be ordering valve pistons.

Filter and Pan was removed and Seals were done twice. Shifter linkage was inspected with no issues.

I’ll report back when the parts are installed.

Thanks for the feedback so far everyone.

 

[airforce1]

Well, here is the latest update and it's not good.

Valve pistons were installed but reverse issues still persisted.

We also had intermittent issues with tranny trying to shift into 2nd gear.

Just recently we had the VSC light and 4LO light come on.

Mechanic pulled codes and it looks like now problem has been located with the valve body.

Estimate for repair is $2500.

Anyone else have failing valve bodies on a 200 series tranny?

Thanks!

 

[tominboise]

Is the valve body the same as in the Tundras? Could you source a used valve body from a salvage yard? Is that even worth the effort?

 

[airforce1]

Tom, yeah mechanic is sourcing a used/rebuilt valve body. For a 200 series with less than 81K miles, this problem has us scratching our heads.

Wondering what factors cause valve body failures?

Hope a mudder can chime in and share their knowledge base on this particular problem.

 

[airforce1]

New Valve body installed last month and reverse issues still persists

 

[bjowett]

Shot in the dark, the transmission nuetral safety switch needs adjustment or replacement.

 

[bloc]

Shot in the dark, the transmission nuetral safety switch needs adjustment or replacement.

The one that prevents starting?

 

[bloc]

New Valve body installed last month and reverse issues still persists

Did it fix the second gear issue?

 

[bjowett]

The one that prevents starting?

It will prevent the transmission from engaging gears if it is bad or out of adjustment.

 

[airforce1]

So to answer your questions:

1. shifting from 1st to 2nd appears to be ok
2. Indy mechanic added Lucas transmission fluid additive last week. We’ll see if it holds up or not.
3. Transmission neutral safety switch is ok.

 

[IOPTURBO]

So to answer your questions:

1. shifting from 1st to 2nd appears to be ok
2. Indy mechanic added Lucas transmission fluid additive last week. We’ll see if it holds up or not.
3. Transmission neutral safety switch is ok.

Why did he add the Lucas additive? What type of fluid had he been putting in the transmission? Does the person specialize in Toyota/Lexus or does he work on other makes?
When I had my 4th gen 4runner I had just redone the entire suspension and replaced the tie rods, control arm bushings, etc. So it needed to be aligned. I had planned to service the transmission but was low on time as I had a 2 month old at home. I asked the alignment shop if they could service it. They said yeah they knew all about it. A few months later I noticed issues with shifting. When I pulled the plug for checking the level. Fluid gushed out. I ended up having to replace a few solenoids. What I'm getting at does this person really know what they are doing? Using a Lucas additive suggests not.

 

[airforce1]

Why did he add the Lucas additive? What type of fluid had he been putting in the transmission? Does the person specialize in Toyota/Lexus or does he work on other makes?
When I had my 4th gen 4runner I had just redone the entire suspension and replaced the tie rods, control arm bushings, etc. So it needed to be aligned. I had planned to service the transmission but was low on time as I had a 2 month old at home. I asked the alignment shop if they could service it. They said yeah they knew all about it. A few months later I noticed issues with shifting. When I pulled the plug for checking the level. Fluid gushed out. I ended up having to replace a few solenoids. What I'm getting at does this person really know what they are doing? Using a Lucas additive suggests not.

Turbo to answer your question he is ASE Certified and mainly services Euro Imports (Porsche, BMW) but also does maintenance and repair of Japanese imports too.

He has been using OEM tranny fluid.

What we do know is that there is some sort of seal leak...he was able to detect an intermittent pressure drop when on reverse. As far as a Lucas additive was concerned the product description does state it would help with seal leaks:

Transmission Fix – Lucas Oil Products, Inc. – Keep That Engine Alive!

lucasoil.com

As I mentioned previously, we replaced the oil and seals, filter , replaced the Valve pistons, replaced valve body, and problem persisted.

So short of a new tranny, we decided a hail mary pass of the Lucas tranny additive.

So far it seems to work...it doesn't hesitate to go in reverse (knock on wood). I will continue to observe for any hiccups.

BTW, perhaps it was a coincidence that we asked for a tranny fluid flush prior to the reverse issues popping up. How likely would there be accidental damage from just a fluid flush?

Thanks guys!