My "transmission-eating" GS430...
#16
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Originally Posted by Insomnia
what symptoms led you to believe there is a problem and take it to the dealer to get it checked? maybe other members can also look for the symptoms and get it checked before the powertrain runs out! Yikes...
From what I can tell from original owner's repair records, the first time the tranny was replaced by the dealer was because it would not "shift well" until warmed up.
This second time around, I noticed that when I move the gearshift from R to D (like after backing out of a parking spot), there was a delayed engagement, maybe about 1 second from the time I put it in D to when it actually was fully engaged. This may not seem like a long time, but it is a very long time to wait if you just backed into a street and there is a cement truck barreling down at you. And if I made the "mistake" of stepping on the gas right after puttting it in D, then the RPMs went up (since the engine was free-wheeling), followed by a pop/lunge when the tranny actually engaged. Charming.
I thought it might be something in the valve body, but like I said, the dealer said they do not disassemble trannies - if anything is wrong, they remove and replace them with new factory trannies. At least under warranty; I can't imagine customers paying for a whole new transmission if it only needs a valve body cleanup/replacement.
Hope this helps.
Leon
#17
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Originally Posted by lyonkster
I bought my '01 GS430 last December, and knew that the original owner had the transmission replaced by Lexus at 27,000 miles.
Now, at 40,000, I brought it in to my dealer because of delayed engagement into Drive, and they just told me that they are replacing the transmission assembly again.
I asked him why the transmission would need to be replaced at 27,000 miles the first time, and at 13,000 the next time, and he said that it was "very unusual". He did say that they are not allowed to work on transmission internals, and instead have to replace the entire assembly.
Anyway, it's covered under warranty, and I can't complain about a brand new factory tranny in my car, but just wanted to see what the rest of you think about this...
Thanks,
Leon
Now, at 40,000, I brought it in to my dealer because of delayed engagement into Drive, and they just told me that they are replacing the transmission assembly again.
I asked him why the transmission would need to be replaced at 27,000 miles the first time, and at 13,000 the next time, and he said that it was "very unusual". He did say that they are not allowed to work on transmission internals, and instead have to replace the entire assembly.
Anyway, it's covered under warranty, and I can't complain about a brand new factory tranny in my car, but just wanted to see what the rest of you think about this...
Thanks,
Leon
#18
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Originally Posted by rominl
definitely ask to see if it's something to do with your car leon. ask them the question about what else could possibly affect the tranny, i think that might be the root cause
Part of the problem is that they do not disassemble the transmissions that they remove. The service manager said that Lexus does NOT allow them to open up trannies; they have to send them back to Lexus unopened. So, he was griping that they don't get a chance to examine them, to see what went wrong, etc. Hmmm, I wonder if I can force the issue a bit and see if I can get them to look into mine, to make sure there are no underlying issues (such as the caking) that will blow a third tranny in the next two years. I think I'll call them and see - thanks for the advice.
Other than that, I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope that they find the underlying cause, if there is one (other than the trannies themselves being bad).
Leon
#19
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Originally Posted by Dx3
Look on the positive side - you have a warranty! But I might consider getting rid of the car prior to the warranty ending if you have anymore transmission problems.
Leon
#20
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Originally Posted by Lexbox
If you park on a slope, engage the parking brake before you shift the car into park. You can tell you need to if the car rolls forward or backwards considerably. My step-dad had the same problem in his Avalanche before I figured his problem.
#22
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Leon, sorry to hear this. I would not have bought the car, knowing its tranny was replaced, maybe a clue that this is a rare Lexus with reliablity issues or the previous owner treated the GS like crap.
I am thinking of having a chat with my dealer on this issue, and somehow discussing the whole idea that this car may be a "transmission lemon" - although realistically, I don't know what I can ask for from them. I still have 30,000 miles on the powertrain warranty, so I do have time to see what will happen in the future.
#23
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its funny i also got my tranny reaplce about 2 months ago but mine car is a 01 GS300 and it was also covered by the warranty. i took it to aamco transmission because i felt a kick on the second gear well according to aamco the tranny had burned oil and something in the tranny need it to get replaced it was gonna cost me like 3000 dollars to get it fix or get a used tranny from another lexus well i picked the used one because i had no the 3000 dollars well the car drive as usual but from time to time i still feel the kick not as often but one in a while anyone with this problems on there GS.
#24
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Originally Posted by lyonkster
I will definitely do that, thanks for the suggestion. My concern is what if they say "We don't know"?
Part of the problem is that they do not disassemble the transmissions that they remove. The service manager said that Lexus does NOT allow them to open up trannies; they have to send them back to Lexus unopened. So, he was griping that they don't get a chance to examine them, to see what went wrong, etc. Hmmm, I wonder if I can force the issue a bit and see if I can get them to look into mine, to make sure there are no underlying issues (such as the caking) that will blow a third tranny in the next two years. I think I'll call them and see - thanks for the advice.
Other than that, I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope that they find the underlying cause, if there is one (other than the trannies themselves being bad).
Leon
Part of the problem is that they do not disassemble the transmissions that they remove. The service manager said that Lexus does NOT allow them to open up trannies; they have to send them back to Lexus unopened. So, he was griping that they don't get a chance to examine them, to see what went wrong, etc. Hmmm, I wonder if I can force the issue a bit and see if I can get them to look into mine, to make sure there are no underlying issues (such as the caking) that will blow a third tranny in the next two years. I think I'll call them and see - thanks for the advice.
Other than that, I guess I just have to cross my fingers and hope that they find the underlying cause, if there is one (other than the trannies themselves being bad).
Leon
#25
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I had my 02 GS300 tranny replaced too at 14K. I found some tranny oil spill on my garage floor, and took it the dealer right away and they told me to leave the car there for 5 days b/c they need to replace the tranny to a new one. They didnt tell me the real reason why. So glad i bought my car new and it was under warranty, or else i'll be spending around 9 grand for a new tranny.
#26
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Originally Posted by Lexus GS3
I had my 02 GS300 tranny replaced too at 14K. I found some tranny oil spill on my garage floor, and took it the dealer right away and they told me to leave the car there for 5 days b/c they need to replace the tranny to a new one. They didnt tell me the real reason why.
So, it's not that the two trannies in my car actually "broke", but rather they had some issues that probably could have been fixed with an adjustment or small repair - but given the dealer's policies, they ended up replacing them outright.
I did talk to the service manager, and he assured me that they'll look for any underlying issues - although to be honest, I suspect that this is more lip service than real effort. But, I have 30,000mi left on the warranty, so I don't feel too nervous. Yet .
Leon
#27
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Delayed engagement sounds like a line is restricted or filter is clogged or pump pressure is too low. Not sure of the fluid schematic, I would think that fresh filtered fluid would be routed to the cooler then into the transmission, where it would be used since it is cooled off. Shavings from the clutches would be washed into the pan and the fluid filtered again...but...I could be wrong... Anyways its under warranty hopefully you wont have anymore problems...Do they replace the torque convertor when replacing with a new transmission?
#28
Lexus Champion
Are you sure they aren't using the Acura 3.2TL/CL transmissions..?
I've honestly never even heard of a Lexus tranny failure before. The closest thing (someone mentioned earlier) was the RX330 and ES330 transmissions that would be hesitant to shift at first, but the issues have been resolved on those.
I've honestly never even heard of a Lexus tranny failure before. The closest thing (someone mentioned earlier) was the RX330 and ES330 transmissions that would be hesitant to shift at first, but the issues have been resolved on those.
#29
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Originally Posted by TheRupp
Are you sure they aren't using the Acura 3.2TL/CL transmissions..?
I've honestly never even heard of a Lexus tranny failure before. The closest thing (someone mentioned earlier) was the RX330 and ES330 transmissions that would be hesitant to shift at first, but the issues have been resolved on those.
I've honestly never even heard of a Lexus tranny failure before. The closest thing (someone mentioned earlier) was the RX330 and ES330 transmissions that would be hesitant to shift at first, but the issues have been resolved on those.
#30
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Originally Posted by DASHOCKER
Those Acura transmissions are crappy. That is why I sold my CL for a GS4 back in 2000.