'02-'05 ES Transmission Fix! - Page 2

mmarshall · 02-01-05, 10:48 AM

The real underlying problem with these transmissions lies not with Lexus or its engineering department but in Washington with the EPA and in California with CARB. Emission standards are simply getting too tight....to the point of gross overkill. Today's cars emit less than 1% of the emissions of the late 60's level...yet somehow it is NEVER good enough. They keep wanting to make it still lower....it never stops.
Instead of getting after automakers, car owners should be lobbying Congress to either freeze emission standards or roll them back a little.

gcrim21 · 02-02-05, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmarshall

The real underlying problem with these transmissions lies not with Lexus or its engineering department but in Washington with the EPA and in California with CARB. Emission standards are simply getting too tight....to the point of gross overkill. Today's cars emit less than 1% of the emissions of the late 60's level...yet somehow it is NEVER good enough. They keep wanting to make it still lower....it never stops.
Instead of getting after automakers, car owners should be lobbying Congress to either freeze emission standards or roll them back a little.

I agree the wacko environmentalists is where 'some' of the blame should be placed. But on the other hand Lexus could have produced the 2002, 2003,and 2004 ES without this problem. Friends of our purchased a 2005 ES four weeks ago and it doesn't have the hesitating jerky shifting problem our 2003 ES had. I say had ...... because I had the ECM reprogrammed and it only just hesitates now and not jerky like it was. The 'fix' doesn't cure the hesitancy problem.

GCrim21

kreativ · 07-19-03, 09:33 PM

It looks like at least one US owner of an '02 ES has been able to get the 89666-33442 chip. Hopefully, they'll come out with the ULEV-compliant version by the end of the year.

tpsunshine · 06-24-08, 11:14 AM

Hello everyone, I'm a new member I bought my 2004 ES330 in March (previously owned a 1997 ES300). But it did not come with an owners manuel? I want to know how to bring my back window screen guard up? I discovered it on a fluke and now I don't know how to get it up.

Also I think I have the same problem with the transmission it doesn't go into gear correctly and my car is still under warranty so thank you some much for bring that problem up.

Have a wonderful day~~

steviej · 07-20-03, 12:10 PM

kreativ, do you have any details as to who it was or where in the US it was installed.

I was told that I could put "that" the chip if I wanted to, but it would cost $1700. My sercive manager told me recently that if I wanted the fix and wanted Lexus to cover the cost, then I would have to wait until it was officially released. He also informed me that Lexus was very very close to a release.

I am waiting......patiently........but I continue to stay on Lexus. I don't want them lightening up on the project if they think people have forgotten about it.

steviej

kreativ · 07-23-03, 06:11 AM

steviej,

rtorreca on the Edmunds.com board had the chip installed. He's a US owner, but I don't recall exactly where in the US.

Quote:

#3791 of 3818 89666-33442 chip by rtorreca (US) Jun 22, 2003 (2:25 am)
I had it installed on mine but the hesitation is still there but to a lesser degree. It feels somewhat different and is a little better but can't say it fixed the problem. Sort of fourth-rate transmission improved to third-rate.

Quote:

He also informed me that Lexus was very very close to a release.

Unfortunately, they've been singing that song to dissatisfied ES owners for well over a year. But I'd guess Lexus will have the transmission behavior corrected by the time the '04 ES goes on sale (Sept./Oct. '03 if they follow the same pattern as the past 2 years).

steviej · 08-06-03, 06:25 PM

Lexus customer service has announced that on 8/5/03 a NEW Technical Service bulletin went out in regards to a software update on the 2002/2003 Transmission "concern".

Technical Service bulletin# TC004-03

I will contact my dealership Thursday AM and find out details.

steviej

amf1932 · 08-06-03, 06:48 PM

Thanks Steviej........That's great news!!

You can be sure I'll be on the phone with my dealer tomorrow morning.

concord · 08-06-03, 07:46 PM

Well I was going to post the ALL NEW service Bulletin but Steve stole it from me

Hi Steve.

I will let you all know tomorrow evening what my local (Illinois) service department says when I mention it to them during my 1000 mile check up. Hopefully they are aware of it.

John

PS. I'm also going to bring in your letter from customer service Steve in case they play ignorant.

steviej · 08-06-03, 07:49 PM

hi John,
welcome aboard!

I didn't mean to steal, it was one of those things that just has to be shouted out.

steviej.

concord · 08-06-03, 07:53 PM

Hey Steve,.

Your absolutely right. I hope everyone calls their service department AND customer service at 180025lexus. Keep the pressure on. For $35k this problem should not exist. My fingers are crossed

John

amf1932 · 08-07-03, 09:08 AM

I spoke to Lexus Corporation this morning to verify this service bulletin(TSB-TC004-03). They were very aware of it. I than called my local Lexus dealer who also knew about it and I have an appointment tomorrow morning to have this updated ECM software installed. Great!!!

steviej · 08-07-03, 03:05 PM

I went by my dealership today after hearing the news.
I have to say I am a bit discouraged. The service manager, whom I trust very much, said he does not want to put the fix in my car.
He explained that he did get the fix and they tried it on several cars on the lot that demonstrated the so called problem.

Basically he said the fix makes the tranny act like a cheap car. The shifts are not smooth and quiet. The tranny supposedly is still searching for gears and the driver doesn't really know what gear he is in. I did not drive any "fixed" ES but I will trust him.

I suggest to anyone that goes for the fix, ask to test drive the car after the ECU is updated. If you do not like the fix, go back to your old ECU. Tell the dealership to contact Lexus and tell them you are not pleased with the fix.

If, however, you are impressed with the fix, please post immediately with your take on the new shift logic. I will have to rethink what my service manager advised.

The ES world eagerly awaits user opinions.

steviej

skang5 · 08-07-03, 03:45 PM

hey, concord, what delership did you contact with? i purchased my car from Woodfield Lexus,and i sent several e-mail to my service manager, but i haven't got any message from him regarding this matter..
Feel so sad~~~~.

concord · 08-07-03, 04:32 PM

Hi Everyone,

Hey Skang5 I bought it at Arlington Lexus. Here is what I found out today.

I went in for my 1000 mile ck and spoke with the service manager. I told him I have the sluggish/hesitant transmission and that Lexus C/S said that a new fix was in. He was WELL aware of it and did not need my reference #. He said they have done 2 so far. Both cars acted finiky(sp) when first fired up but then smoothed out. He told me the download takes about 1 hour so I couldn't get it done today. I told him I was going to give him a call in 1 week and asked if he could check with those that had the upgrade and get their thoughts.

Steve,
WOW, I almost find it hard to believe your service advisor. Lexus's update makes the car shift hard and the tranny searches??? After 1 year of looking for a fix? If it's true what is HE doing to inform Lexus of this. I'm not saying I don't believe him it just doesn't sound right. The transmission has fuzzy logic and takes time to learn the drivers habits. How long did he have the upgraded software installed? Hmmmmm who knows? Just hoping he's spoken too early.

Only those that get it done and update us will know for sure. I will let you know what my service advisor reports next week guys. I hope it's good news

John