Transmission Issues Plus Check Engine/VSC Lights

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T

tomsawyer

10 Year
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Threads
17
Messages
49
Location
North Jersey
Hi Everyone - I have a 2003 LX470 w/ 93.5K. I am the 2nd owner and just purchased 2 months ago with 92K. First, let me start out by saying I'm not very mechanical. Everything was running very smooth on the truck until about 2 weeks ago I noticed one day that the truck seemed to be starting out in 2nd gear (even thought the 2nd button was pushed) and when I gave the truck more gas, it would clunk down to first and take off. This seemed to happen intermittently.

Then, a few days later, the truck had a 1/2 tank of gas and the check engine/vsc lights came on and wouldn't go off. I read about the gas cap issue which I loosened and retightened. The lights went away but came back on the next day.

Then a couple days after that, the truck wouldn't go in reverse. I went through all the gears and it finally caught reverse allowing me to back out but then the truck wouldn't shift past 3rd gear - doing 50mph and the truck's revving at about 3500. Shut the truck off, restart and it drives normally. Next day, it engages reverse but won't shift past 3rd gear. I then read a post about someone disconnecting the battery for a minute which I did and the truck drove normal for 2 days but now the symptoms have returned. Lights are on, reverse doesn't engage and truck doesn't shift past 3rd.

Thanks to all who respond.
 
Sounds like more than one issue going on.

I believe the 2003 has a transmission dip stick, have you check the level and smell (burnt not good)?

Notes:
Disconnecting battery should be for ~30 minutes for a reset.
Check transmission at normal operating temp vehicle on level ground, shift in & out of all gears, keep engine running, pull dip stick smell then wipe putting back in, pull stick out again and look at level.
 
Yes, I did see the dipstick but wasn't sure of the procedure of how to check so thanks for that. I thought it's like engine oil whereby you shut the car off and pull the dipstick. When I did that, the fluid was in the middle of the min/max range. The color was pink/purple, no odor and I could tell the oil was fresh as tranny was serviced, along with the 90k service, at the dealer.
 
I've had dealers/shops both under and over fill, both are bad. One reason I do my own work, or at least check.

You really need to have codes read (check engine light). Most parts stores will check for free. Take a drive to one, then check level after the drive. If very hot (which it may be running hot) level will reading high, so let cool for >30 minutes, drive around block and test a second time. Can be hard to read oil as oil hangs in dip stick tube so take readings until you see a clean line on stick a few times, as many times as it takes.
 
Also, if you hope to solve this, get a FSM (Factory Service Manual). The ABS/VSC lights have a different code system that you get to by jumpering pins in diagnostic connectors (not the OBD code reader). Mine were caused by a bad wheel speed sensor, but if I hadn't read the codes, I could have thrown all kinds of parts at it and not fixed it.
 
CharlieS said:
Also, if you hope to solve this, get a FSM (Factory Service Manual). The ABS/VSC lights have a different code system that you get to by jumpering pins in diagnostic connectors (not the OBD code reader). Mine were caused by a bad wheel speed sensor, but if I hadn't read the codes, I could have thrown all kinds of parts at it and not fixed it.
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Very good info @CharlieS.
tomsawyer said:
Hi Everyone - I have a 2003 LX470 w/ 93.5K. *** First, let me start out by saying I'm not very mechanical. **
Thanks to all who respond.
Click to expand...
Changing gas caps, checking & changing lubes/fluids is pretty easy stuff. If you're comfortable digging deeper buy the FSM's. Otherwise spend that on a good Toyota Mechanic, one that specialize in 100's would be best..
 
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Regarding the lights, I did read about the gas cap issue. I went to the local Lexus dealer and they told me they were out of stock on the gas cap. I asked him to order and he told me the warehouse was out. Is there an issue with gas cap inventory in the US?
 
I don't think so, he probable just didn't carry. Keep in mind the 100 fleet is aging and some parts will be harder to find.
 
CharlieS said:
Also, if you hope to solve this, get a FSM (Factory Service Manual). The ABS/VSC lights have a different code system that you get to by jumpering pins in diagnostic connectors (not the OBD code reader). Mine were caused by a bad wheel speed sensor, but if I hadn't read the codes, I could have thrown all kinds of parts at it and not fixed it.
Click to expand...

Even if I had the manual, I doubt I'd be able to do what you guys easily can do (but I probably can replace the gas cap w/o help!). Do you know of any good Lexus shops/techs in northern NJ?

SWUtah said:
Take it to the dealer and have them check the codes, bet you need a new gas cap. Then have them diagnose your transmission issues.
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I come from the BMW family and those guys swear to never take the cars/trucks to the stealers. Are Lexus dealers the same or better? I mean, if I need a new tranny so be it but I don't want some service manager/tech w/o any effort tell me to dump that kind of money and it ends up being a wheel sensor.

I appreciate all your help guys! Thanks so much!
 
If you can jumper two easily accessible pins under the hood with a paperclip, turn on the ignition, and count to 9 to count a blinking light, you can do the diagnostics part. You might not be able to fix it, but at least you'd know what the likely problem is. Wish you were local, so I could show you how easy it is...
 
tomsawyer said:
Regarding the lights, I did read about the gas cap issue. I went to the local Lexus dealer and they told me they were out of stock on the gas cap. I asked him to order and he told me the warehouse was out. Is there an issue with gas cap inventory in the US?
Click to expand...

I had the gas cap CEL and I replaced it with an autozone generic gas-cap. Wanted the OEM but the autozone one was less than 10 bucks, so i figured why not try and it worked perfectly CEL went away with in 5 miles.
 
CharlieS said:
If you can jumper two easily accessible pins under the hood with a paperclip, turn on the ignition, and count to 9 to count a blinking light, you can do the diagnostics part. You might not be able to fix it, but at least you'd know what the likely problem is. Wish you were local, so I could show you how easy it is...
Click to expand...

Thanks Charlie - if you have the time and can PM me step by step instructions, I'd give it a shot. Thanks so much!

savirc said:
I had the gas cap CEL and I replaced it with an autozone generic gas-cap. Wanted the OEM but the autozone one was less than 10 bucks, so i figured why not try and it worked perfectly CEL went away with in 5 miles.
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Good idea Savric, I'll get the codes read at Autozone and also pick up a generic gas cap to see if that solves the lights issue. Thanks to you!
 
Hi Guys - I have an update. Went over to autozone and got the truck read. 1 code showed up - P0756 - shift solenoid "A" performance - SSV S2
Probable cause - Shift solenoid stuck open/blocked oil passage.

Hopefully, this is a clue to something simple?
 
Thought I'd give everyone an update - have a friend who recommended me to a local AAMCO shop. Guy's been in business over 35 years at the same location. He did a diagnostic and the internal seals are shot and there maybe an issue with the torque converter. So, I'm going to have a reman installed.

Couple of questions if anyone knows -
  1. how much would a job like this cost in northern NJ for a reman trans installed? He gave me a price and I just want to confirm we in the ballpark.
  2. now that the trans is getting replaced, is there anything else associated that I should have replaced/checked since the truck is there anyway?
  3. is there any other info, trans related, that I should make sure he completes? I'm not very technical but is there any programming, diagnostic, fluids or anything else you can think of that I should be aware of?
Thanks to all who answer.
 
What the local AAMCO diagnosed doesn't sound common. I would take to 2 different Toyota specialty shop or Dealer and see what they say, they see these every day. Keep each diagnostic independent of the others, but do tell them it was flush 3K miles ago.

These transmission rarely go out in a daily drive provide proper fluid type, level and no containment are introduced. But you do live in and area where undercarriage rust is pervasive. Possible a sensor, solenoid or wire connection issue from corrosion around transmission.
I'd go back to Dealer that did 90K service first, see what they say. Finding out what type fluid they used, and was it a drain & fill or full flush? If full flush what machine they used; transmission pump through or machine pumped.

Note: We just saw one guy report a high RPM issue on HWY. Turns out it was from not shift into highest gear. This was a loose switch under the console area.
 
2001LC said:
What the local AAMCO diagnosed doesn't sound common. I would take to 2 different Toyota specialty shop or Dealer and see what they say, they see these every day. Keep each diagnostic independent of the others, but do tell them it was flush 3K miles ago.

These transmission rarely go out in a daily drive provide proper fluid type, level and no containment are introduced. But you do live in and area where undercarriage rust is pervasive. Possible a sensor, solenoid or wire connection issue from corrosion around transmission.
I'd go back to Dealer that did 90K service first, see what they say. Finding out what type fluid they used, and was it a drain & fill or full flush? If full flush what machine they used; transmission pump through or machine pumped.

Note: We just saw one guy report a high RPM issue on HWY. Turns out it was from not shift into highest gear. This was a loose switch under the console area.
Click to expand...

Cfbrenton1 said:
Pretty good chance that AAMCO guy has never once worked on an LX. I would definitely do what the guy above said.
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I appreciate what you guys have recommended. I did take the truck to a "friend" who owns a transmission shop (all he does are trans) and independently diagnosed a bad trans. The "friend" was going to rebuild and AAMCO's a remanufactured unit. I went with AAMCO because of the 3 year/50k warranty. So, if like you mentioned some condition outside the trans caused the problem, then it'll cause the same problem again with the new trans. Of course, it'll be an expensive lesson I learned but at least then I can go back to AAMCO and give em hell because of the misdiagnosis. Picking up the truck tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.
 
Getting two diagnoses then it probable is bad.

Does the 03 LX470 vehicle's service history show transmission had been flush at the recommended interval?
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