emadrid

I just recently bought a 1996 es300 with 100058 miles and have a question about the transmission. When driving at freeway speeds 65+ MPH and step off the gas the car jolts, also when I shift the car into reverse from park the car jolts but when I hold the brake down harder than normal the car shifts into reverse normally. Any other time the transmission does it's job perfectly. Shifts into 1st and 2nd fine. Oh btw the transmission is automatic. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

BDSL

Apply hand brake and give gentle tap on the gas pedal.
Meanwhile, have another person look at the engine bay to see if there is excessive engine movement.

Edit:
Also put in Reverse and apply brake with your left foot.....just in case the e-brake doesn't work....and you don't want to ramp into your helper or you.
And just a light touch / tap on the gas pedal.
A little movement of the engine is normal.

milirx450h

Might be transmission mounts but you should take a look at the motor mounts too as BDSL talked about.

BDSL

Edit my post....forgot some critical information.

emadrid

Thank you BDSL. I will try this tomorrow and get back to you with the diagnosis. fortunately my brother worked as a mechanic for a local lexus dealer and would be able to help me with this.

emadrid

sorry for the delay, been busy. So its been determined that its the transmission. Looks like the previous owner didnt take care of the transmission. Oil (only a qt in pan when drained) was black. fortunately though there werent any metal shavings, but the transmission slips sometimes hard into 1st and 2nd after replacing the fluid. looks like im going to eventually replace the transmission. again thanks for the help.

BDSL

Why not drain and fill the transmission fluid for now? Maybe that will cure your issue.

emadrid

I did drain the fluid in the pan which only contained 1 quart but was supposed to normally have 4-5 quarts. I was told to do this every several weeks until the fluid is a normal color. when i drained it, the transmission fluid was black as black can be. So next week im going to change it again. on a side note would you happen to know what the correct product number is for the CD changer magazine. ive come across a website that states PRW1141 is the same as PRW1118 (the lexus branded magazine) but i just wanted to make sure before I buy it.

BDSL

Let us know how it goes after a few more drain / fill.
If you drain from the pan drain plug, you should only get about 3 quarts.

Sorry, don't know the CD magazine P/N.

lluahs

When I bought my 92 es300 it had 148000 miles and I drained the transmission pan. I only got about a quart just draining and the oil was as dark as Guinness(smelled awful, like really stinky feet). I opened the pan to replace the filter and got another 5-6 quarts, filled her up with valvoline maxlife dex/merc. Drove on this fluid for 500 miles and did 2 more drain and fills. The problem wasnt really going away, long story short, after 10000 miles, and after replacing things such as the trans mount...I solved the problem today, do the opposite of this thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...-shifting.html
that is give the kick down cable more slack

Let me know if this solves your issue