NAZTY97

Ok... after doing a lil bit of research, I see other older models have suffered this problem, on occassion. My car does it every so often... gears 4,5, and 6 sometimes don't work because the car won't shift past 3rd, or sometimes 4th...

this is annoying as hell that a Lexus would have these kind of problems,... the car does have 161k miles on it, but nonetheless, seems rather disappointing.

Does anyone in the Houston area know a tranny specialist that would feel comfortable working on a newer model lex, and capable of replacing the solenoids??

Does anyone know where to get them?

HamBurglar

I thought the transmission was covered under the 6 or 7 year powertrain warranty?

krava

how did you get that many miles? I hought i was putting miles on it

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

What is gonna cover a car with 161k miles?

To the OP is it not shifting beyond 3rd in sport mode or in regular mode?

HamBurglar

Very true, I didn't see the mileage until now.

lkapimp216

iTrader: (2)

sounds like LS1 swap time to me

NAZTY97

It doesn't shift in any mode... tried switching from power to snow and regular to keep the rpm's down... but when it's stuck, sometimes it will get up to 4th gear, and not shift into 5 or 6th... strange thing is it's intermittent... but sometimes it will be stuck for a few days or so, then go away.

The irritating thing is, Lexus claims to not be competent enough to disassemble a transmission to switch out the solenoids, but suggest buying a new $6k transmission.... vs parts that only cost $200+ plus labor... I'm almost ready to say F#$%k lexus... most dissappointing..

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

I mean 161k miles you cant really say **** lexus, try to get a junkyard tranny.

JBasco20

iTrader: (1)

161k is good life for a tranny. My Aviator went out at 90k

canatto

The fact Lexus' own service department lack the confidence and knowledge/skill in messing with the tranny indicates the service information and tools are not readily available to general public and independent mechanics, meaning the likelihood is slim to find someone being comfortable working on the tranny.

When was the last time/mileage you got the fluid changed? Do you get any warning lights or trouble codes when it acts up?

NAZTY97

there are corolla's running around here with 500k miles on original transmission...

hell, i sold my SC400 with 217k miles, without a single mechanical failure period... brakes, oil, and bushings were the only things replaced on that car.

my 99 RX300 has 221k miles and no issues...

this car has been plagued with problems, most minor,... but not just my own personal car, but across the board... I googled "stuck shift solenoid" for 06 GS300 and i'm not the only one with this issue... not to mention a plethora of people with recent ES350 have had major engine/tranny issues...

I think Lexus has lost it's pursuit for perfection when it tried to increase it's production to meet the demand of it's popularity.. .which was based on quality.

I'm looking into a used transmission, as the cost to replace the solenoids is about the same as buying the whole damn transmission... not to mention labor to disassemble vs just replacing the whole thing...

NAZTY97

ok... fluid changed.... i've gotten my services up to date,.. .but i've been told that it's a sealed system, and doesn't get changed... so as best I know, it hasn't been changed. Doesn't sound right to me,.... but that's per Lexus dealership.

I get codes indicating solenoid is stuck shut... 3 of them... plus the usual "CHECK VSC" and "trac" light.

BinaryJay

Lexus Canada requires transmission fluid changes about every 60K miles. Take that for what you will.... I already changed mine once, early, because I think never changing transmission fluid is just asking for trouble no matter what they tell you.

It's not even expensive to have done.

Far as I know the transmission has not changed in any model year 3GS.

Pastordrj

I have a 2003 gs 300 and it drive great but the light keep coming on so they did a diagnostic and it the shift solenoid c help me GA please to many crooks out here

slideland

although i dont know the details of your car.... i would like to know if you have a little bit of service history in the vehicle.... i would recommend before it ALL GOES DOWN HILL... try resetting the ecm to the tranmission... doing a full flush at a service center... and lastly pulling the ecm freeze frames it might be hinting as to what the transmission is doing. i had a gs300 come in two months ago found out that the car had been at an aftermarket store that messed with the shift linkage... he was panicking for weeks before he gave in to the dealership and we solved that. simple 15 minute fix..


just trying to give hope to a dull situation...
best of luck to you...


lexus technician Atlanta georgia.