Possible problem with transmission?
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Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: DE
Possible problem with transmission?
I have a 2ES and I noticed recently that when I do a cold start (in the morning), there is some sort of hesitation in the shifting. When I put it in drive and step on the gas, the RPMs will go up to about 3000-3500 before shifting into second, and same for second going into third. Shifting into fourth and fifth is normal though. Also I should add that when the engine's already warm, the shifting occurs properly. What seems to be wrong?
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: MA
ES 300 trans
I bought a 1999 ES 300 & after driving it for a week I was having the same issues. I brought it to Juffy Lube & had the trans fluid flushed, but it's still the same. Like another post said after the car warms up the transmission is fine
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From: va
my 95es (195,000) does something simular,doesn,t want to shift very quickly cold,but does fine after a few min. want to do a fluid/filter change but kinda scared to. my 4 runner started to act funny, so i serviced it's tranny filter n all, then a month later it took a dump on me.different vechicle, but its still sitting still, and i'm still lookin 4 a tranny,and leary of touching a high mileage tranny any more.i'll be watching this post 4 updates 4 sure
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: wa
same thing on my 97 Camry. it roll back from stop (kind of like driving a manual) on a hill side. It takes a couple second before the tranny engaged. High RMP before it will shift....
Did some search online and most people suggest checking ATF level, replace AT filter. I check the ATF, it seems ok. I am going to drop my car off at the dealer and see what they will say.
The last thing I want to hear is a big $$$ replacement.
Did some search online and most people suggest checking ATF level, replace AT filter. I check the ATF, it seems ok. I am going to drop my car off at the dealer and see what they will say.
The last thing I want to hear is a big $$$ replacement.
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Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 260
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From: TX
I'm going to say it's probably a torque converter issue. they operate based on hydraulic flow, unlike the gears within the transmission, which are constantly meshed and have gears controlled by locking the position of one or the other within the planetary gear set. So huge amounts of play in your revs would probably be caused to a worn out torque converter - because if you fractured the teeth on the helical gears within your planetary gear set, your transmission would be toast.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: NJ
This is normal behavior, in cold temps or until the car warms up. The car delays shifts to warm up the fluid. The car also wont go into overdrive till it's at optimum operating temperature. All of the above are normal when it's cold outside and the car isn't at operating temp.
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From: NS
I had the same issue with the transmission not engaging into first gear and rough shifts, until it finally started to slip out on the highway as well, (95' es300). I tried fluid/filter changes and even a trans flush later when there was no improvement from just new fluid. I don't think temperature was the issue in the long run. I'm sure there are controls to self protect the transmission but there could also be other issues that nobody has brought up yet. Mine eventually died in the summer, (Canadian summer) when a low temperature could not be the issue and it wasn't overheating.
In the end I replaced my transmission at about 300,000 miles with a used transmission with under 100,000 miles on it for $1400 driving away. The solenoid pack needed to be replaced on the "new" one with the set that came off my car so they also were not the issue.
Been driving just fine since then and I have added another 40k miles since then with no regrets about getting the work done to keep an excellent car on the road for a few more years.
In the end I replaced my transmission at about 300,000 miles with a used transmission with under 100,000 miles on it for $1400 driving away. The solenoid pack needed to be replaced on the "new" one with the set that came off my car so they also were not the issue.
Been driving just fine since then and I have added another 40k miles since then with no regrets about getting the work done to keep an excellent car on the road for a few more years.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 112
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From: DE
It's a 4-speed auto.
Wow that stinks. I hope my car doesn't end up dying like that and leading me to spend that much $$$ to fix it. And also, today was pretty warm and I don't think I noticed any hesitation in the shifting from a cold start...
I had the same issue with the transmission not engaging into first gear and rough shifts, until it finally started to slip out on the highway as well, (95' es300). I tried fluid/filter changes and even a trans flush later when there was no improvement from just new fluid. I don't think temperature was the issue in the long run. I'm sure there are controls to self protect the transmission but there could also be other issues that nobody has brought up yet. Mine eventually died in the summer, (Canadian summer) when a low temperature could not be the issue and it wasn't overheating.
In the end I replaced my transmission at about 300,000 miles with a used transmission with under 100,000 miles on it for $1400 driving away. The solenoid pack needed to be replaced on the "new" one with the set that came off my car so they also were not the issue.
Been driving just fine since then and I have added another 40k miles since then with no regrets about getting the work done to keep an excellent car on the road for a few more years.
In the end I replaced my transmission at about 300,000 miles with a used transmission with under 100,000 miles on it for $1400 driving away. The solenoid pack needed to be replaced on the "new" one with the set that came off my car so they also were not the issue.
Been driving just fine since then and I have added another 40k miles since then with no regrets about getting the work done to keep an excellent car on the road for a few more years.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: DE
