Hello,
I just bought a 2013 ES 350 with 107k on it.

I was driving it to the inspection place in order to register the car. On the way there (roughly 5 miles) it drove fine. I got it through every gear and shifted wonderfully. When I came to a complete stop at the shop the transmission refused to engage. It went into park and reverse just fine. I noticed if I turned on and off the car the transmission would reengage for about 20 seconds before failing again. I drove it like that, cycling between car off, car on, driving a half mile, transmission off, car on, car off, ect until I got to the nearest repair shop.The initial code was for a solenoid issue ( not sure which one). I had no choice at that time but to have the shop (not a shop I fully trust) look it over and I received a call almost a week later saying the transmission has failed and needs to be replaced. They put down it had codes

P0746
P0776
P2714
P2808

They didnt mention actually inspecting the car out, just pulling codes. I had it towed to another shop and they said the previous shop must have cleared the codes because there were none but that the fluid looked bad.

I am having a hard time believing it is the entire transmission. It sounds electronic to me or a solenoid issue. I plan to tow it to my grandfathers shop and start by changing all the solenoids and plug harness, the fluid, and the filter.

Any ideas guys?
For the needed parts, any suggestions where to get the best OEM supplies? I will get toyota ATF fluid.

I'm sorry not to have an answer, being a one-year-old Lexus owner myself. Just came here to sympathize with you. Drat man, what a lousy thing to happen. Hope you manage to get it properly fixed quickly and cheaply.

You might try a Lexus Dealer Service shop?

thank you, I’ll update the thread

no Lexus dealers in the area only Toyota and I do not wish to go there. I’ll try my own luck and than if all fails I’ll try a trusted transmission shop.

Good luck. BTW-you just bought the car from a dealer? If so, they won't take it back?

For what it’s worth, the transmission is identical to what is used in the Avalon of the same year. Unless you have an issue with the dealership itself I wouldn’t be afraid to go to the Toyota dealer…that’s all I use as the nearest Lexus dealer is about 150 miles away. You will possibly find that Toyota will charge less than Lexus for the same work as well.

That’s an expensive guess to just shot gun solenoids and harness at it with no diagnosis. Good scan tool you can look at duty cycle of solenoids and on/off status. Scan tool actuator test would allow you to turn solenoids on and off with key on eng off you should be able to hear solenoid ticking that would at least tell its trying to be commanded from the pcm. Four different solenoid codes all at once possibly could be electrical issue or poor ground. Have you tried shifting manually when concern happens? When it occurs is reverse or drive indicator showing? Just for reference I’m a retired Toyota MDT .

I am not a transmission repair tech, and I bet most people here aren't either. These transmissions are incredibly complex. Trying to self diagnose or throw parts at it is futile, IMO.

If this was me, I would definitely start by changing the fluid, the filter and trying to clear the codes. If it doesn't help, take it to a transmission shop.

But really, you probably need a transmission. Ideally from exact same model and year lexus. Possibly could use transmissions from avalon or older lexus, it's U660E model, but computers and harnesses could be different, so you might run into new and expensive issues.

Good luck. Lack of maintenance, severe use and abuse lead to transmission failure. Dirty fluid is a clear sign of neglect.

due to my lack of $500+ scan tool ( more than the repair I’m going to try) My plan is to Ohm the solenoids out and while in there change the fluid and filter.
Shifting manually doesn’t help.
It always indicated drive, park, reverse, neutral.

I am really surprised. This transmission is really tough and widely used from Camrys, to Avalons to Sienna vans. 107K miles is nothing for this transmission. Hopefully it is something simple.

U660e transmission Failures at that mileage at not uncommon if it has never had the fluid changed. I would first try a transmission fluid flush and hope that improves the situation somewhat before dropping the pan and attempting other repairs. But don't get your hopes up. If you just bought it was it from a car lot that offered a warranty? Also your state may have consumer protection laws if you think they knowingly sold a defective car.
I assume it was okay on your prepurchase test drive.

You mentioned taking it to your Grandfathers shop. Is this a car repair shop?
Does he work on Toyotas or do transmssion work? If not he probably can recommend someone who does or an honest transmission shop.

See this older similar thread https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...796-p2714.html