I have a 2000 ES 300 with 68,000 miles and it has been religiously maintained .
It has been running flawlessly, but a few minutes ago, the check engine light went on as well as theTrac OFF light right beside it. Should I continue to drive it? What should I be worried about?
I have never had a problem.

UPDATE: I got the code which is P0768 - shift solenoid D circuit electronics
Is this a part that is easily fixed? Where is this solenoid and how can I fix it?

By the way, after sitting for a few hours I turned the car on to move it and no warning lights came
on. I still left the car at home instead of driving it to work and am wondering if I can do damage to my car if I continue to drive it.
If it is not easily servicable, where besides the dealer should I take
it, AAMCO? Thanks for your input.

 

any number of sensors and signals could have set off the CEL. The addition of the TRAC light means the car has gone into "limp" mode. It is a safety feature so that minimal damage will be done if any damage is done at all. 99% of the time the codes are emissions related. The best thing to do is to go to Autozone and have the code(s) read for free. You won't know where to start looking for the potential problem or culprit until you know what codes are being thrown up.

post the codes up here when you get them and we can help you better.

steviej

 

do you have your gas cap on??? This is one of the most popular reasons why your engine light goes on.

 

I had the same think happen to my 2000 ES at about 70,000 it was one of my sensors. My o2 sensor if I'm not mistaken. I took it to the dealership and since my car was still under warrenty it was fixed for free.

 

I have an 2000 ES 300 with the similar mileage and have been getting CEL and Trac Off lights sporadically for 3 or 4 months. I have not been able to detect any change in transmission performance or shifting. I took it to my Lexus dealer and they saw a history of code P0768. The CEL was not on at the time and their test drive did not detect any problems either. They said to bring it back when the CEL was on. I verified the P0768 code at an Autozone one time it was on. I have not been able to determine any pattern as to when the CEL comes on. It shows up about 60% of the time but until I can determine what the issue is I'll keep driving it.

Doe anyone know if the drive train warranty covers this?

 

Found out some more infomation about the P0768 code. It refers to the S4 solenoid which control the shifting into overdrive. According to the Lexus manuals, if the code is present the transmission will not shift into O/D. I'll have to try this on my vehicle.

I also found the detection criteria for this code. It is an electrical detection by the ECM according to the following:
This tells me that it could also be a weak connection anywhere from the ECM to the solenoid, i.e., the harness to the trans, within the trans or the solenoid itself.

Hope this helps.

 

talk about reviving the old threads, or bringing it back from the dead...lol