1999 ES300 not downshifting
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: RI
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1999 ES300 not downshifting
Group any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
My 1999 es300 with 147K miles does not down-shift to first gear once warm. Once the car is warm, I will stop and upon starting, the car's RPMs slowly climb to 2000 RPM at 25 MPH. It seems as if the car is starting in second gear. Another symptom I noticed is that in cruise control at 45 MPH it clunks into and out of O/D. Transmission fluid is full and color seems fine. I noticed once that at 30 mph once the car was driving smoothly, the check engine light blinked 2 times then was off.
Once again any help or advise would be appreciated.
My 1999 es300 with 147K miles does not down-shift to first gear once warm. Once the car is warm, I will stop and upon starting, the car's RPMs slowly climb to 2000 RPM at 25 MPH. It seems as if the car is starting in second gear. Another symptom I noticed is that in cruise control at 45 MPH it clunks into and out of O/D. Transmission fluid is full and color seems fine. I noticed once that at 30 mph once the car was driving smoothly, the check engine light blinked 2 times then was off.
Once again any help or advise would be appreciated.
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: RI
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#4
Lexus Champion
What is the service history of the transmission? How did you check the fluid level? Be specific. Have you hooked up a code reader?
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: RI
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have only owned the car for 2 years and drove 10K miles; so I do not know the history of the transmission. Until recently, no issues with the transmission.
As far as checking the fluid: I drove the car about 5 miles or 10 minutes until it was warm, parked on a level surface, with the car running I checked the fluid level in the transmission. Dipstick indicated that there was sufficient fluid, no discoloration of the fluid.
After your post, I checked the codes and P1150 came up. Air Fuel Ratio Sensor??? Could that be the cause of these symptoms?
Thank you all for the expertise and consideration.
As far as checking the fluid: I drove the car about 5 miles or 10 minutes until it was warm, parked on a level surface, with the car running I checked the fluid level in the transmission. Dipstick indicated that there was sufficient fluid, no discoloration of the fluid.
After your post, I checked the codes and P1150 came up. Air Fuel Ratio Sensor??? Could that be the cause of these symptoms?
Thank you all for the expertise and consideration.
#6
If it goes into reverse fine I would consider the transmission later down the line. Air fuel ratio sensor certainly could be it. Make sure to buy a Denso one and check your air filter too while you're at it.
#7
Lexus Test Driver
MANUAL MODE:
This is old school but it works on most hydraulic transmissions.
ECU controls the shifts via solenoids.
Note: SL1 shift solenoid is energized when shifted to any drive position. (1st gear)
If SL1 is failing, trans will engage 2nd gear instead of 1st.
To eliminate the electrical side of it, disconnect the SHIFT SOLENOID CONNECTOR on the trans.
This connector should be just above the park/neutral position switch connector.
Make sure your trans level is correct.
Drive it.
The transmission will shift via hydraulic pressure.
I guess perform this test when the issue arises. (warmed up as you stated)
If you have all gears in MANUAL mode, then its in the electrical side you have the issue.
You will likely to have codes after this test,
Just wipe them out after.
This is old school but it works on most hydraulic transmissions.
ECU controls the shifts via solenoids.
Note: SL1 shift solenoid is energized when shifted to any drive position. (1st gear)
If SL1 is failing, trans will engage 2nd gear instead of 1st.
To eliminate the electrical side of it, disconnect the SHIFT SOLENOID CONNECTOR on the trans.
This connector should be just above the park/neutral position switch connector.
Make sure your trans level is correct.
Drive it.
The transmission will shift via hydraulic pressure.
I guess perform this test when the issue arises. (warmed up as you stated)
If you have all gears in MANUAL mode, then its in the electrical side you have the issue.
You will likely to have codes after this test,
Just wipe them out after.
The following users liked this post:
Joe1994ES300 (12-19-23)
Trending Topics
#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: RI
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATE: I drove the car for an extended period and the transmission issue did not occur. What did happen was the car would intermittently run rough with the check engine light blinking occasionally, then finally it stayed on. I checked the code reader, 4 codes: bank 1 cylinder mis-fire, cylinder 1 mis-fire, cylinder 3 mis-fire, cylinder 5 mis-fire. Do you guys thin it would be worthwhile to replace the oxygen sensor on bank 1 exhaust manifold? The sensor does not look too old, but I guess it could be malfunctioning. I feel that perhaps the transmission not shifting could be related to this.
Thanks for all your assistance.
Thanks for all your assistance.
#10
Hey everyone, not sure if anyone is still active on this but this happened to me today. Car was running totally fine and at red light I notice it was not accelerating over 2000 RPM. I ran through the gears starting at Park then the trans kicked and all was good after that. Any advise ???? Thanks !!
#11
Pole Position
Hello,
This is an old enough thread that most of the people are not present around here anymore, so I would suggest creating a New thread for your specific issue, describing all the details you an think of that can help get to the cause.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
This is an old enough thread that most of the people are not present around here anymore, so I would suggest creating a New thread for your specific issue, describing all the details you an think of that can help get to the cause.
Hope this helps and best of luck!
#12
Manual Mode
Regarding Nad1370 s post. Is it ok to disconnect the solinoid connector permanently if the tranny shifts fine in Manual Mode? Also can anyone describe or send a picture of where that connector is located are we talking about on the transmission from above or from below?
#13
Pole Position
Hope this helps and best of luck!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jhorst2013
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
15
05-26-18 07:29 PM
invictator
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
2
01-12-15 07:55 PM
JazzyQuinn
ES - 1st to 4th Gen (1990-2006)
1
11-12-14 03:54 PM