94 ES. Hard shifting, no O/D. Code PO500 & PO720
#32
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I know what your problem is
I just had this exact same issue. Turned out to be an ECU, my lexus guy was stumped. Cost me about 120 and 30 minutes to put in. Car was fixed. The 1994 model had a very iffy ecu.
#33
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Wow sorry guys, I didn't know anybody had since responded. I didn't get any notifications.
Well the car had been sitting all these months while my mom drove my extra car. But now I need that car back so it's back to the Lex. Now I just replaced the VSS with a $200 from Oreilly. Erased codes and same symptoms, same codes came back. Next I'm just going to replace the ECU with an $80 one offered. My dad's like just fix it now cause your mom's getting pissed. So I'll try to send this new VSS back as to not hurt my dad's wallet so much.
But I do have an update for all these symptoms. The ECT light works as it should so that's ok now. Still get codes P0720-Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit and P0500- Speed Sensor A.
Well the car had been sitting all these months while my mom drove my extra car. But now I need that car back so it's back to the Lex. Now I just replaced the VSS with a $200 from Oreilly. Erased codes and same symptoms, same codes came back. Next I'm just going to replace the ECU with an $80 one offered. My dad's like just fix it now cause your mom's getting pissed. So I'll try to send this new VSS back as to not hurt my dad's wallet so much.
But I do have an update for all these symptoms. The ECT light works as it should so that's ok now. Still get codes P0720-Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit and P0500- Speed Sensor A.
#34
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Ok, here was my fix, and this is for the archives guys. It was indeed the ECU. OD works now, no erratic and hard shifting, and no more codes.
But it was impossible finding one at all in Texas. They went for about $150. So I'd been scouting the cheap pick n pull type of yards, having really great luck on parts there for next to nothing. But none of them had 94s and they're all missing ECUs, must be a common problem. Plenty of ES300s, just all missing ECUs. But I find this one 96 and take a peek even though they all say only 94 will work. Well this one must have had a 94 ECU due to the part # being incorrect for that car but being what I needed for a 94. I bought a few other big parts but they didn't charge me for the ECU. Normal price there would have been $25 for any ECU, but it would have been $12.50 since I went on half-price Tuesday. Got me some extra gauge needles while I was there.
So when you need a part check out those kind of yards. I got a 3000GT engine and transmission for $180 on a half price day and sold them both for $1160. Then I got a complete 4WS system for my Prelude for $100 there and an extra one for $45 at another pick n pull kind of yard. And a 300ZX engine for my convertible for $120. They don't inventory their parts, only their cars, so you have to go scout them. Also, the cleanest most organized yards Ive been in.
But it was impossible finding one at all in Texas. They went for about $150. So I'd been scouting the cheap pick n pull type of yards, having really great luck on parts there for next to nothing. But none of them had 94s and they're all missing ECUs, must be a common problem. Plenty of ES300s, just all missing ECUs. But I find this one 96 and take a peek even though they all say only 94 will work. Well this one must have had a 94 ECU due to the part # being incorrect for that car but being what I needed for a 94. I bought a few other big parts but they didn't charge me for the ECU. Normal price there would have been $25 for any ECU, but it would have been $12.50 since I went on half-price Tuesday. Got me some extra gauge needles while I was there.
So when you need a part check out those kind of yards. I got a 3000GT engine and transmission for $180 on a half price day and sold them both for $1160. Then I got a complete 4WS system for my Prelude for $100 there and an extra one for $45 at another pick n pull kind of yard. And a 300ZX engine for my convertible for $120. They don't inventory their parts, only their cars, so you have to go scout them. Also, the cleanest most organized yards Ive been in.
#35
Installation
long shot because this thread is over a decade old but did you have to program the ECU to accept the key from the old one? Can I replace this myself and if so what are the necessary steps. My 94 es300 is doing the same thing. Overdrive light flashing, slipping between 3rd and 4th hear and sometimes fourth won't catch it all. Goes into limp mode from a complete stop intermittently.
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