SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

My 1993 Lexus SC400 has well over 250k miles on the body so parts and hardware are more worn out then the mechanical parts of the car.

Has happened 4 times, same exact intersection, same exact action. Coming up to turn left, it's a little steep hill right at the end where you turn to the road, I have stopped slowly and everything is cherry, however, if I stop quickly, after the vehicle is completely stopped, it just goes into park. Indicator and shifter stay the same, just randomly pops into park. I shift it to park, then back to drive and its fine.

Never heard of this before...very odd...LOL!!

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

Gremlins. That was easy.

pogoism9

iTrader: (1)

It's a long shot, but make sure your shift linkage is tight under the car and your trans mount is good. Could be the sudden stop is lifting the tail of the trans enough to affect the switch on the side of the trans where the linkage connects.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

If it was a gremlin, it'd be natural causes that sparked this issue. Never heard of this before. Probably not a gremlin IMAO. Only aftermarket item on the car is an alarm system.
Wouldn't it go into reverse then park? Trans mount is fairly new prothane Megan type. Thnx

pogoism9

iTrader: (1)

If it only happens on a sudden stop, it could in theory completely pass through reverse and into park.

zneubauer

iTrader: (2)

I'm betting the sudden stop is moving something that's loose.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

So this is happening more often now. Any sudden stops it pops into NUETRAL. Not into park. When it drops out of gear it will coast. Could it be a connector maybe? Could the trans be failing? Shifts flawlessly and smoothly. ECU, maybe? Less likely with a vehicle that has over 300k. I will add that I have deleted the mufflers and resonators and have been driving like this for awhile. Maybe the vibration has shaken something loose.

Ali SC3

iTrader: (10)

neutral is right above drive so I would agree with the first person that said shift linkage is off some.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

I will check the shift linkage and report back.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

I will check the linkage today. The issue has progressed some, though. Just backing up, no jerks or hard stops, it will silently slip out of reverse or drive, whatever the case may be (only when cold) for a few seconds. I can get it back into gear real quick if I just shift to park then back to drive. I can also wait a few seconds and it will pop back into gear. No other problems of slipping or jerking or anything.

Same suspicion? The car does have over 300k miles...

EDIT: Just so you guys aren't left hanging, the issue ended up being low tranny fluid.