GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

'03 GS430 Transmission issue

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Old 06-08-16, 06:33 AM
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bstarr34
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Default '03 GS430 Transmission issue

Hey guys,

Relatively new GS owner here. I bought an 03 with 200k on the clock with a used engine in her
(about 110k) She now has 252k on the body and trans. It's been about 6 months, but I finally figured out my only complaint with the car. When coming to a stop, it doesn't downshift to 1st gear. even if I manually shift it down, it still doesn't go into first. This issue is very intermittent.

I am told it is the shift solenoid....or at least one of the 4.

So my question is......(drumroll) How do I confirm this is in fact the issue, and the only issue?
What is the best solution? I would love to diagnosis which solenoid it is, and replace it with an aftermarket one, only I'm not sure they make one for this car. I can buy a used transmission from a junkyard for $300 and slap that in, but I'm leary. I know many people who have used junkyard tranny and had them be bad.

Thanks guys
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Old 06-10-16, 05:51 PM
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badblackgs
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It would be alot cheaper to drop the trans pan, and disconnect all the solenoids and measure the resistance. and see if any of them are on their way out. Maybe even aquire a power probe and apply power and ground to each solenoid 20 times and see if any of them fail. Should just be a simple click noise when ever it is actuated. But keep in mind, 250k on the tranny is alot of miles. and even though lexus aisin makes a bad *** transmission, it still has clutches that wear out and eventually no longer hold. Plus you could have a failing valve body. the little pistons inside of it do wear out and cause trans drive-ability issues. I have shopped alot on ebay for used transmissions for our cars and lkq sells alot of lower miles transmissions for about 400 smackers. And they come with a warranty.
Old 06-13-16, 08:54 AM
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sakataj
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Originally Posted by bstarr34
So my question is......(drumroll) How do I confirm this is in fact the issue, and the only issue?
What is the best solution? I would love to diagnosis which solenoid it is, and replace it with an aftermarket one, only I'm not sure they make one for this car.
hmmm, if only someone had made a thread (for literally everything on the GS) AND you had searched for it (i literally typed shift solonoid in the advanced search) instead of just posting about it

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...oid-fixed.html

just a heads up, i have a spare tranny in the garage, low miles and i wanna move it soon if you need it
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