Hello, I have a 2000 ES300, has the beefier Avalon motor and tran.. It's not wanting to shift into 4th gear(auto) and revs to 35-3800rpm in 3rd at 60mph. I need to replace both vvsolenoids and already swapped out speed sensor (abs).. I need oil change and idk what else.. Is there a tran. Sensor and where would it be located?? Thank you

 

Hm, what do you mean it has the "beefier Avalon motor and trans"? They both came with the VVTi 1MZ-FE motor (maybe different tunes, not sure), but the Avalon retained the bulletproof, Aisin-designed A541E transmission and Toyota switched the ES300 to the in-house designed, weaker U140E transmission for the '99 to '01 model years when they changed the engine to VVTi.

Did you do a swap, complete with the Avalon PCM? I don't see the ES300 PCM driving an A541E trans without problems...

If youdo hav e a U140E, loss of upper gears/slipping is a common sign that you're going to lose all gears soon from what I've seen. Check and see if there are any codes first and report back. If the fluid hasn't been changed in a while I'd change it.

 

There are a number of issues that can cause the PCM to lockout OD. Knock sensors, colant temp sensor, others. Work throuh the CELs before suspecting the transmission if OD lockout is yor only symptom.

 

Def gonna look through the CELs. I'm changing all that I can since I work at a pick and pull. Also gonna do an engine flush and tran flush before putting the knock sensor, vv solenoids, spark plugs, and oil pan n valve gaskets. Maybe swap out old wires with new and same with rubber tubing for radiator and water lines. I will report back on this thread with my findings. Btw I have the dual throttle body..not sure what that may mean for my transmission since all the es300s at the lot have individual but the avalons have it too. Will look into specs and see if exactly same. Thank you for your replies !

 

It does have a lot to do with the CEL's. My first has a 99 ES300 with the same issue, O/D locks out.
When he resets the battery, the codes temporarily go away, and he regains O/D, until the CEL and TRAC light comes on again.

 

its a knock sensor circuit (bank 2)
do you or anyone have a diagram where it may be? If so its the only code that popped up after I reset codes. Thank you