fischer557

Brought my car into a repair shop (not Lexus dealer)as it would not start. Had a new starter installed. Had to bring it back as malfunction problem appeared on dashboard.
Was told bracket was bent, they relaced bracket and dash cleared. 3 days later transmission problem and was told I need new transmission. Is it possible transmission was damaged in getting to starter?

dan25man

The starter for the 4.3L engines sits under the intake system in the V of the engine. There's no reason why the transmission should of been touched to do the work unless they pulled the engine and trans to replace the starter. Sounds like the shop you have it at don't know what they are doing... Did the transmission work correctly before the starter broke? Or is this car new to you? Also what's your transmission issue? If it's at the wrong fluid level you'll have shifting issues.

DshngDaryl

I think we need more information. What dash light came on after your starter was installed?

What is your transmission doing now?

Is the car driveable? Do you trust the shop you went to? Have you been there before?

If the car runs, Have you considered getting a second opinion?

fischer557

I bought this car from car max in 2014 with 15K miles(2006 model). I only drive it to and from locally so I only have 70,000 now. Drive my wife's 460 on trips.
Transmission was fine before starter issue . Have been bringing it locally to get oil changed, tires, battery etc. this is first major issue.(closest Lexus dealer is 45 minutes away)
Replaced starter and when I drove it out dash lights came on. I can't remember which 2 but manual said bring it in to have it checked(manual is in car in shop now)
They got lights off . tech removed and replaced intake gasket. Found codes P0303 , P0171 and P0174, misfire system to lean bank 1 and Bank 2.
so now actually 2 weeks later coming to a stop light and put my foot on brakes and when car was almost to complete stop(but still slowing down) car abruptly came to a sharp stop as if I slammed on the brake.
Brought it back to local and they said the transmission was lagging, slipping from 1st-2nd gears.
Told me they could get rebuilt one from lexus with old casing but all new parts inside for $9750. Or try to replce 1 of 9 or all 9 selenoids for $3200 for 1 selenoid plus $500 for each additional selenoid needed.
Help!

fischer557

Trusted them before . Don't know if they are qualified although they say they are. they resell leased lexus's. I should have got 2nd opinion.
manual is in car. I forgot which 2 lights appeared but said to bring it back. Trouble warning lights were on initially after I had starter replaced and drovr it off lot

Sc888

I am starting to suspect the quality of this shop. When they said "Was told bracket was bent" exactly what bracket are they talking about? The p0303, p0171 and p1074 does not indicate a transmission issue. Those are engine related. I am starting to suspect they cleared out all the codes before you picked up the car and once you drove the car off the lot the codes came back. Which car shop is this? I would check yelp or google reviews on them.

doobs

Ditto.

Lot's of things which don't add up.

Are there any Toyota specialist shops in your area?

As this is an engine/transmission thing, a good Toyota shop would be able to look into it. There are a lot of Toyota's with V8's.

Good luck.

DshngDaryl

Thanks for the additional information. After the starter change, your Check Engine Light and the VSC light probably came on. That is common anytime you get an emission related code (in your case misfires). Possibly due to something they disconnected and reconnected when they took the manifold off to get to the starter.

It does not seem likely that the starter and your transmission solenoid are related. I suppose it is possible they pulled the radiator (to make more room to work) and you lost some transmission fluid. And Since you have a sealed transmission, they didn't put the fluid back. But that is not a likely scenario.

I would take your car to either a toyota/lexus specialist or a transmission specialist and get their opinion.

Our transmissions are pretty reliable and rarely go bad. This means used transmissions are plentiful. You can buy a used one for about $1500. It is not a "sure thing" like a rebuilt one is, but it is a cheaper option than both those your mechanic offered
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32549538302...Bk9SR7qjvcKcYg
.

fischer557

It was a black rectangular about 2 feet long with a few cut out holes.
Shop is Auto Lenders toms River NJ.
Monday they said rebuilt transmissions were readily available from Lexus but selenoids would have to be ordered.
Called yesterday to check status. they said it hadn't come in yet

Sc888

I looked up Auto Lenders however most of the reviews are about the car purchasing experience. Not many about their car repair department. If the car only has 70k miles on it that is really low to have transmission failure. The engine and transmissions on the sc430 is very reliable unless abused. I don't know what part the bracket comes off of. Since its black perhaps it comes from somewhere on the bottom of the car.

Raven01750

You have a transmission vent line at the top of the transmission just behind the intake. I wonder if the line is kinked and not venting properly?

Paul

dan25man

Ehh the vents caps are just there to avoid having positive pressure inside the transmission. It wouldn't cause those kinds of issues, if any. Fun fact, differential casings also have vents.

I'm with @DshngDaryl I would tow your car to another shop that is more familiar with the car. These things used to be $60,000-70,000 in their day and have some particularities about them. If the new shop can prove the other shop messed something up than you'd likely be able to get some money from the first shop. Good luck!

fischer557

Thanks for your interest.
I am heartbroken that my lovely car is broken. That's all I'm thinking about. I will get it towed to Ray Catena Lexus and in the future drive the extra miles to have it serviced by the dealer.

Sc888

Sorry about the car fischer557. I guess this is a lesson to us all to think twice about who we allow to service our vehicles. I hope your car is back and running good as new soon!

SCWillie

While we have several Lexus dealers in my area I’ve always taken my cars to a specialty Toyota/lexus shop owned by a former master lexus mechanic. He will actually work on anything Japanese. Try to find one in your area.