sayow

My wife drives a 96 Coach ES 300 as her commuter car and today she called to report a transmission problem.

I arrived to find that the car shifts fine into 1st and 2nd but simply revs trying to go into 3rd. If you leave the car in second (by shifter) it drives fine and reverse works perfect.

Checked fluid, it was clean, reddish and translucent and the right level, no burning smell at all.

Any chance (or way to confirm) that this is not a trans control module/sensor or some other electrical issue before I assume its time for a rebuild?

Also, anyone have an idea of transmission rebuild costs on the ES from a non dealer?

Thank you in advance.

dlamb89

Try resetting the ECM.

sayow

I assume this can be done by removing the negative battery terminal for a few minutes?

dlamb89

Yes, but some people report they needed anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours . to definitely reset the ECU, find the fuse diagrams (drivers area AND under the hood), mark every fuse relevant to the ECM, and take them out for a while. Again, some people report a minute is all you need, while others say hours. I would keep the battery unplugged on top of this.

To confirm the ecu is reset, check if the am/FM stations and/or power seat profiles are gone.