jhorst2013

New car to me, 1999 Lexus ES300 103,000 miles. No check engine light.
I am getting a hesitation when the car is in second gear after it seems like the car has stayed in second too long. The car will get to about 3500 rpms and then hesitate and the rpms jump up ,to a little over 4000 rpms and then it drops into third gear with a jerk. After that there is no further hesitation in other gears, but if I slow down and have to accelerate back up to speed then I get the hesitation and jerk again from second to third. Again, no CEL yet.
Transmission fluid is good color and level. Cleaned the air flow intake sensor. Tightened the throttle cable. Running premium gas with fuel injector cleaner. No change. I have seen similar posts, but everyone else has had a check engine light. Any suggestions? Thanks.

mdbrown

If it's a physical issue with the transmission there may never be a CEL. At this point it soulds like you've done pretty much everything you can for the moment. Only thing I can think of at the moment is to check for pending codes, that might point you in the right direction.

RxG300

My 97 did something similar on when the trans was cold, it would hold 2nd and then kinda drop into 3rd after revving up past 4k. I topped the trans fluid up, even thou it wasnt "low", just wasnt all the way to the top. and I also reset the computers by leaving the battery cable off for 15mins. Im pretty sure yours is the learning transmission and might need to be reset to factory settings. Good luck.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Check your PCV valve

jhorst2013

Thanks everyone, I will check those out and let you know if I have any improvement.

mdbrown

I will say that Chrysler adaptive transmissions have an issue with bump shift that happens both on upshift and downshift. Performing a reset (or relearn) very often fixes it. Would definitely be worth a shot.

Lexus43

Hey. Any updates to your trouble? I'm experiencing the same problem!! I have a 2001 Lexus ES300

Couchmech

I'm having the same problem with the hesitatation with the acceleration. No check engine light. In my 2001 Lexus es300. I've change fuel pump, fuel filter, change air filter. Did you find the problem. I was told clogged front converters. But I think it may be something minor

lsiberian

What did you drive before? I drove a very quick off the line Mazda 3s. When I hit the gas it went fast. So my Lexus definitely hesitates in comparison.

Honestly everything you are describing is the way my car(2000 es300) runs. I have noticed over time the ECU definitely has adjusted to my more aggressive driving style(it's still no rice rocket), but I don't think you are experiencing anything out of the ordinary. You might try giving it a couple weeks.

Couchmech

It's been awhile since been like that, now I could only gently press on the Petal, any harder it's not registering. You think it's an ECU problem. It takes me 20sec to get to 40.

310WLA

Worn out Throttle Position Sensor. Some parts of the resistor are worn out therefore not registering info.

ViPeRs103

Would you change this part if no code is present in the ecm!?

310WLA

I tested a tps after similar symptoms described in this post, on a 98 es300. When checking resistance values there was a section where no readings where present. Also no trouble code was present. Changed part problem fixed. Im suggesting to test this part for proper function.

Couchmech

My problem is the converters in the exhauslt manafold where clogged. Apparently this is common in the 2001 Lexus es300 an other years

ES300NZ

the throttle cable is actually meant to be loose enough to droop about 5-6mm. So, that's quite loose really, same with the second cable which is the cruise control cable.