lexlex89

The transmission on my 2000 RX300 just failed (behaves as if in neutral in all gear shift positions) after 95,000 miles. Seems to be a common problem. One responder on another site wrote that he was able to reverse the failure by cleaning the transmission screen filter, flushing out the old fluid, and using TRANSMATIC to thin the transmission fluid. Has anyone else had success with this? It might save me 4000 dollars.

Lexmex

I have heard of some transmisson additives mentioned.

I don't think this will work. The only thing I would suggest at this moment is to have whoever is working on it drop the transmission pan and see if there is an accumulation on the magnets and if the screen (we call it the tranny filter) has anything in it.

If pieces have broken off they could be flying around all the little gears and other internal parts of the tranny, and definitely that tranny won't move.

toy4two

post a pic of the tranny fluid after a drain and we can help.

How often did you flush the ATF?

Carver

Out of curiosity, how often had the fluid been changed?

Fern

Please provide more details:

trani service history?
type of fluid used in trani - to your knowledge?
level of fluid when problem manifested itself?
colour of fluid?

Etc...

This will not only help you better diagnose your own problem, as it will give other CL members an indication of the propensity for future problems of their own.

Lexmex

Where my arrows are pointing at is a little water I poured on the top of the tranny just before I took it out on the track. There are some gaps where it can settle as in this photo below.

If the water boils, I know I have issues with the ATF fluid. My uncle does a similar thing with other vehicles. I had this happen once a few years ago before I started taking the RX to the track, and we promptly changed the fluid (this was also when I was using Lexus' transmission schedule not the more intensive one I use now).

This is tougher for the majority of you since you have the airbox on top but even if you pour a little water to the left of the airbox, you can hear it pop or sizzle if there is an issue.

parula

Mex, would you explain what causes the issue you mention and why flushing fluid would help? I'm considering flushing at 40k and I am curious what would cause excessive heat at that location?

Lexmex

Well, there is no magic to that location I am pointing to on the top of the tranny.

When the fluid gets old of course its properties can't keep the tranny as cool as before, therefore the interior of the tranny gets hotter. Thus, just like pouring water on a hot pan, pouring water on the top of the tranny when the fluid is in this condition will result in sizzling or boiling. Sometimes it is just minor (but you don't want that either).

Well, with regard to flushing, only time I would recommend that is when the fluid is silvery/pinkish. This is when too many particles are in the fluid and a drain and fill may get a good portion out (if you do the 3 drain and fills like I do), but the flush will get out particles that tend to subside in the areas of the tranny other than the tranny pan and filter. Thus, a flush in this case would be an excellent idea. I did this once with the Naples, Fl Lexus dealer (Germain) and my RX just loved it.

shorty5106

I had the same problem and had to purchase a new transmission. I ordered the wrong transmission for my car and am now trying to sell it. It is a 200 Lexus rx300 2 wheel trive transmission for $1700.00. the transmission only has 75,000 miles. If interested please email at shorty5106@hotmail.com.

Lexwang07

I had my 01 RX300 2WD failed transmission last week ago. 103750 miles on it. I asked my local auto repair shop. Transmission overhaul cost me $2100. Pay cash. I felt pissed off for Lexus uses low quailty transmission stupid borrow from an old Camry. Really mad.

AudioMan

Is there any more or less failures from the 2wd tranny's vs the AWD tranny's? This issue is really starting to scare me as I would rather get rid of the car than face a $3,000 bill. How many vehicles with 100,000 miles do not have failing tranny's?

bob2200

If there are more 2WD failures, it may be because those 2WD's w/o towing package don't have a transmission cooler. So, I think the question should be 2WD w/o towing package vs. others.

mrekid

After having read several posts I am tending to agree that the issue seems to be related to heat and thus vehicles with transmission coolers would be less likely to have a failure. Is this consistent with what other people have seen?

ng8xzdt

I have over 160,000 miles on my 2000 AWD RX300. No problems at this time. i change the oil every 5,000 miles.

Lexusprime

Guys, I need some clarification from you. What is the real cause of tranny failure then?
a. Overheating tranny
b. Magnetic particles, metals and sludges
c. Old sticky ATF (not maintained ATF)
d. Driving habits
e. Age and mileage of the car
e. or is it the design of the tranny itself?

Although each can be a result of the other, maybe we can more or less pinpoint where we had lapses which will lead to the total failure. It gets really scary especially when one is out of town with the family. I have 68T 1998 Harrier but I dont feel anything wrong in my tranny, none the least, in fact it is much better than my 2003 Mercedes Benz ML450. I change ATF every 5k on both.