Sold my 100, bought 200... now facing two severe issues?

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Another thought; did the selling dealer offer a 3rd party warranty? If so, you may have a 30 day grace period to sign up for it. That may be worth considering if it's an option.

Good thought. I can check into it; not sure they'll offer one for a 2013 with 113K miles.
 
Plot thickens. At 91K miles the trans fluid was flushed by 'Kwik Kar' of Denton. I called them, they have the notes that the car came in but no issues etc present.

I'm thinking maybe this chain did NOT use the OEM or Manufacturer spec fluid, and maybe this flush introduced a problem? Perhaps a fluid change back to the OE spec fluid will help eliminate this torque converter shudder?!

IMG_2962.webp
 
Last thought....did the selling dealer perform any maintenance? There are documented issues of techs draining the transmission instead of the engine oil. They may have done that and refilled it with the wrong fluid etc etc.

Put WS fluid in it and see if it continues before dumping it. Sounds like time may be tight but you can get all the fluid for $200 and DIY in the driveway. It’s quite easy.
 
Last thought....did the selling dealer perform any maintenance? There are documented issues of techs draining the transmission instead of the engine oil. They may have done that and refilled it with the wrong fluid etc etc.

Put WS fluid in it and see if it continues before dumping it.

Did you see my post above with the service screenshot? I think that may have something to do with this. Please see that and let me know your thoughts.
 
I wouldn't do a thing until you have someone qualified do a drain and fill on the transmission. Dollars to donuts, Kwik Kar of Denton TX has no idea how to properly set the fluid level on a sealed transmission Cruiser. It's an intricate process on the 100 series, I can't imagine it got any easier with the 200.

Also, both the dealer and a transmission shop are in the business of selling expensive parts and service, I would try the easy stuff first even if you need to do it yourself. Good luck.
 
There is a chance that place didn't get the fluid level right. It will shudder like that if the fluid is really low.

Great to know... I'm planning to take it to a transmission shop to have them do a drain and fill.

I wouldn't do a thing until you have someone qualified do a drain and fill on the transmission. Dollars to donuts, Kwik Kar of Denton TX has no idea how to properly set the fluid level on a sealed transmission Cruiser. It's an intricate process on the 100 series, I can't imagine it got any easier with the 200.

Also, both the dealer and a transmission shop are in the business of selling expensive parts and service, I would try the easy stuff first even if you need to do it yourself. Good luck.

Very valid points you are bringing up Aging... thank you so much. I have schedule to take it to a transmission shop that said he bets he can get the shudder to go away by changing the fluid and adding something called "Shudder Stop". Do you think that he's right? He said $250 to do that and he's had a 85% success rate.

Additionally, what fluid am I looking for? Can I buy it at Toyota? Do you know the amount I'll need? I'd rather have more on hand than I need as opposed to the opposite scenario. Thank you for the help, this might save me $7000 or so...
 
I have schedule to take it to a transmission shop that said he bets he can get the shudder to go away by changing the fluid and adding something called "Shudder Stop". Do you think that he's right? He said $250 to do that and he's had a 85% success rate.

Additionally, what fluid am I looking for? Can I buy it at Toyota? Do you know the amount I'll need? I'd rather have more on hand than I need as opposed to the opposite scenario. Thank you for the help, this might save me $7000 or so...

If it were me, I'd want to confirm the level is correct before I start putting additives in. You may need shudder stop or a new transmission, but I tend to start with simple stuff first.

In the 100, there is a check plug in the transmission pan (as well as a separate drain plug). When the transmission fluid is at operating temperature with the engine running, you can remove that plug to gauge fluid level. If fluid comes out, you have too much, if nothing comes out, you can add fluid. That's where I would start, though I realize we all have varying level of comfort with doing this and that the procedure is likely a bit different with the 200.

If that doesn't work, I'd proceed with an exchange, then possibly the shudder stop. If that doesn't work, I may consider trading it in at CarMax :)

Regarding fluid, I stick with Toyota WS (world standard) because that's what it came with.
 
Great to know... I'm planning to take it to a transmission shop to have them do a drain and fill.

If you are going down the fluid path, take it to a dealer and get a complete exchange. Drain/fill is only going to change about 25%.
 
Your attachment to post #22 is the key, IMHO. I'll bet Kwik Kar a) did not use Toyota World Service fluid and b) did not get the level correct. These transmissions are tough. If you arrange to have a complete change of fluid and get the level correct, I sure hope it will get back to its smooth self. If it was mine, I'd flush a couple of times to make sure all the el cheapo fluid in there is gone.
 
Keep at it HGB. These cruisers are tough. Even with deliberate abuse they'll keep ticking.

I agree that the likely culprit to the shudder is fluid/fluid level. Don't allow anyone to use any fluid or additives except for Toyota factory fill. There's a special procedure as mentioned to get the final level correct that involves the ECU acknowledging the right temperature before checking fill level at a plug. Unlike older vehicles which require no such thing and just require filling to the fill plug.

In regards to the Mark Levinson, glad she flickered back to life. I would definitely troubleshoot to make sure water didn't ingress from some unexpected place. Perhaps they just left the window cracked or sunroof open. But there's been cases of bad replacement windshields not being well sealed, allowing water to get behind the interior firewall, damaging electronics and harnesses. Also check the A/C drains and roof drains. Is the roof rack stock? Hopefully no one compromised the roof rack mount seals.

This is a great community as you're probably already seeing. We hope you'll get through this and stick around. I think your cruiser will earn back its trust!
 
Keep at it HGB. These cruisers are tough. Even with deliberate abuse they'll keep ticking.

I agree that the likely culprit to the shudder is fluid/fluid level. Don't allow anyone to use any fluid or additives except for Toyota factory fill. There's a special procedure as mentioned to get the final level correct that involves the ECU acknowledging the right temperature before checking fill level at a plug. Unlike older vehicles which require no such thing and just require filling to the fill plug.

In regards to the Mark Levinson, glad she flickered back to life. I would definitely troubleshoot to make sure water didn't ingress from some unexpected place. Perhaps they just left the window cracked or sunroof open. But there's been cases of bad replacement windshields not being well sealed, allowing water to get behind the interior firewall, damaging electronics and harnesses. Also check the A/C drains and roof drains. Is the roof rack stock? Hopefully no one compromised the roof rack mount seals.

This is a great community as you're probably already seeing. We hope you'll get through this and stick around. I think your cruiser will earn back its trust!

You’re the man. I can’t thank you and the entire MUD community enough. I came back to the LX world after going through two G wagons. I had an 06 470 very recently and it was mint in every way. I wanted the newer features witboit the German cost of ownership/headaches so I thought a pre-facelifted LX would fit the bill!

I will avoid going the additive route per your advice. Do you think the Toyota dealer can do the fluid exchange I need? Or only Lexus? What should I ask for verbatim? I know verbiage seems to make a big difference as it pertains to fluid drain and fill, flush, or exchange. should I ask for a new transmission screen? Anything else? Should just one trip to the dealer be enough or should I do multiple exchanges as suggested by a previous member?

As it pertains to the windshield, I believe it was replaced at some point at Lexus. My Lexus dealer believed it to be original because of the Lexus logo; but I could have sworn I saw a record of replacement in the past. I’ll confirm. It would also have a logo if it were replaced at dealer, so I’m not sure why he concluded such.

Rack is stock. Any idea how to check the drains? i suppose I can have Toyota do that as well. I feel like water is getting in somewhere during HEAVY rain, but not just light rainfall.

Radio was replaced when car was one year old due to a short in the system that rendered the nav inop. Radio replaced and car sold as a CPO in 2016. 2017 the owner came in stating sounds randomly stop working. Lexus troubleshot the issue twice on different occasions for 30 minutes of radio play and could not get the sound system to stop operating. They advised not to fix anything per Lexus dealer.

Trying to piece together the dots.

Lexus did say the car other than the trans is mint and seems to be in SOLID shape with no leaks etc.

The only other issue I notice is when on the highway and I hit a bump, pothole, divot, etc. the car rebounds and feels floaty. It also rides a lot bouncier than my 470, no matter what more the AHC is in. Might just be the difference in truck.
 
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Your attachment to post #22 is the key, IMHO. I'll bet Kwik Kar a) did not use Toyota World Service fluid and b) did not get the level correct. These transmissions are tough. If you arrange to have a complete change of fluid and get the level correct, I sure hope it will get back to its smooth self. If it was mine, I'd flush a couple of times to make sure all the el cheapo fluid in there is gone.

Thank you Sand. I agree, I think you are on to something. Hopefully Toyota can do the fluid exchange since I’m sure the land cruiser had the same exact transmission / fluid procedures.
 
Toyota dealer can do it, LX and LC are the same in that regards. Make sure you request the full flush instead of draining and refill.
 
Sorry to hear, wishing you good luck!
 
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Sorry to hear, wishing you good luck!

Jefo, thank you! It does suck knowing that $8K could’ve landed me a rig with half the mileage. But things happen for a reason :) hopefully a fluid change remedies things.
 
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