crwys

First off I will say I take no responsibility for the outcome of this advice.

Proceed at your own risk!

This worked in my 99 es300.

When on the highway going the speed Limit, on a straight away preferably.

Put the car into Neutral.
Turn the car off.
Count to 3.
Turn the car on.
Put the car into Drive.

And you will have over drive again.
You will lose it again however if you come to a stop or get below 20mph or basically force the car into 2nd gear by giving it too much gas.

This worked on my 99 so not sure if it will work on newer years but I would think it should.

Repairs will vary by city/shop/state but it's going to be costly as its a bit of a job.
The parts are also a bit expensive. Also make sure to go oem.
I recommend replacing both sensors and the connectors.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I paid around $500 a few years ago

speedkar9

I was reading about a similar issue in the Highlander forums with the 1MZ engine, it turned out replacing the ECU solved the problem:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/83...nsmission.html

DonInBosto

My 2000 ES300 w/250K (now 276) repair cost me short of $300 2 years ago January, I replaced 2 knock sensors. I bought the sensors at AM Auto Parts. Don't know if I can include a link to them but they've got a whole kit around $120

brandon004

Okay.. So I have seen two things that apparently cause these symptoms, the knock sensors and the ECU, is there any way to distinguish what part is faulty? Reason being we don't have the money to start replacing all of these parts right now.. Should we for sure do the knock sensor first?

So do both of our cars, lol.

fortitude

Start with having the codes read. Many parts/service stores will do this for free. Then research the codes on this forum

mugencivic

are you referring to the radiator thermostat? where is the EFI temp sending unit located at?

LeX2K

Coolant thermostat but yes.
Front of the engine by the coolant neck, the sensor with 1 wire I believe is for the gauge, 2-wire for EFI.

DRACO A5OG

You can diy

$25-35 knock sensor harness only

The sensor themselves rarely go bad

But the harness sits in a very harsh environment Heat + Leaks and sometimes little critters = broken wire or connectors

Your car is in safe mode

That is why it will not go into OD

If you wait too long you will kill your cat.

Jim

mugencivic

^^^so to be safe it is good to change out both? I've also read that when changing knock sensors you have to use denso or else the car/ecu will not read it correctly.