Which do I have, the U140E or the A541E transmission?
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
From: California
Smooth,
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
I would NOT order one online.
2000 Lexus ES300 , I had the same problem, You can tell by counting the bolts in the pan underneath the trans. some have 17 bolts some have 18. It was about 2 years ago so I don't remember which was which. You probably have the expensive one.
I really don't recommend ordering one online, I had a very bad experience. It's like a trap.
I ordered the expensive transmission (whioch I thought I was getting a good deal on one). They ended up shipping me the cheap one and calling it the expensive one. Not to mention it looked like it had been sittin in the rain for years, VERY rusty. Once I had paid a mechanic to take my old trans out is when we realized that they are not at all the same. When I figured out that they sent the wrong one. They said they would refund my money BUT I had to pay for the shipping to ship it back to them. Which was about $500! I said no way that is your problem not mine. They would not budge or return calls when I was attempting to speak to a supervisor. (This happened with Basic Car Parts). When I finally spoke to a supervisor (weeks later) they said they record the phone orders (which would prove that I ordered the correct trans) then they conveniently could not find the recording of my order.
I found out that they don't even have transmissions or car parts, they are only a broker who then had some other company send some trans through some other shipping company(that wanted to charge me another $100 when they delivered because they said they don't deliver to residential, which Basic Car Parts never mentioned anything about).
I had to look up the company thru the Sec of State of the state they were in and find the CEO's address and personally write him a letter to get anywhere on this. He ended up refunding SOME of the purchase price and said I can go sell the trans that I had. So I went and sold the trans to a junkyard who figured out that the trans was from a Toyots Sienna minivan.
Really, take from my experience, find one local, so you can at least deal with them and you know where to find them. 200 pound transmissions are not something that should be ordered online.
I really don't recommend ordering one online, I had a very bad experience. It's like a trap.
I ordered the expensive transmission (whioch I thought I was getting a good deal on one). They ended up shipping me the cheap one and calling it the expensive one. Not to mention it looked like it had been sittin in the rain for years, VERY rusty. Once I had paid a mechanic to take my old trans out is when we realized that they are not at all the same. When I figured out that they sent the wrong one. They said they would refund my money BUT I had to pay for the shipping to ship it back to them. Which was about $500! I said no way that is your problem not mine. They would not budge or return calls when I was attempting to speak to a supervisor. (This happened with Basic Car Parts). When I finally spoke to a supervisor (weeks later) they said they record the phone orders (which would prove that I ordered the correct trans) then they conveniently could not find the recording of my order.
I found out that they don't even have transmissions or car parts, they are only a broker who then had some other company send some trans through some other shipping company(that wanted to charge me another $100 when they delivered because they said they don't deliver to residential, which Basic Car Parts never mentioned anything about).
I had to look up the company thru the Sec of State of the state they were in and find the CEO's address and personally write him a letter to get anywhere on this. He ended up refunding SOME of the purchase price and said I can go sell the trans that I had. So I went and sold the trans to a junkyard who figured out that the trans was from a Toyots Sienna minivan.
Really, take from my experience, find one local, so you can at least deal with them and you know where to find them. 200 pound transmissions are not something that should be ordered online.
transmission
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 514
Likes: 2
From: California
No problem Smooth, but I need your email address. PM me because this is a public forum 
+1, buy local so you can check the condition before you buy, If it has been sitting, exposed don't walk but run away. Most Toyota salvage yards have them and will warranty them for at least 3-6 months. Don't use the existing connectors, take them off your trans before taking back for the core exchange if applicable. Connectors being out in the elements may be fouled. While you are in there might as well change out the filler o-ring, tighten the pan bolts to 69 inch/ft torque. If you do use the TC on the replacement, I would swap after about a 1000 miles so you will have 90% fresh fluid. If you swap the TC then you will be good to go.
Update: after 1000 miles, she is running strong, quiet as a Lexus should be and with the accelerator full throttle adjustment the gas has an immediate response, very nice
+1, buy local so you can check the condition before you buy, If it has been sitting, exposed don't walk but run away. Most Toyota salvage yards have them and will warranty them for at least 3-6 months. Don't use the existing connectors, take them off your trans before taking back for the core exchange if applicable. Connectors being out in the elements may be fouled. While you are in there might as well change out the filler o-ring, tighten the pan bolts to 69 inch/ft torque. If you do use the TC on the replacement, I would swap after about a 1000 miles so you will have 90% fresh fluid. If you swap the TC then you will be good to go.
Update: after 1000 miles, she is running strong, quiet as a Lexus should be and with the accelerator full throttle adjustment the gas has an immediate response, very nice
Last edited by DRACO A5OG; Nov 7, 2011 at 10:07 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: WI
Need help
DRACO, I'm about to try findind and replacing my shift solenoid because of an OBD code 0773. If you have some service manual, or tips for this, I would be glad to send you my first born. I've had so many hurdles because of these strict emissions in WI, my e mail is joshbacowtipper@gmail.com Thanks.
Smooth,
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: California
Does anybody have recommendations on where to go in Los Angeles for a manufactured transmission to a 1999 Lexus ES 300? I need to find out which of the two mentioned (A541E or U140E) in this thread is the one that I need, but after that I need to know a solid place to get a re-manufactured that isn't made with cheap parts and offers a solid warranty.
Seems there are few places that can do this from what I gather after my google searches and calling shops. Found a couple, but again looking for reputable spots using good parts with good warranty and hopefully great price to go along with that.
Seems there are few places that can do this from what I gather after my google searches and calling shops. Found a couple, but again looking for reputable spots using good parts with good warranty and hopefully great price to go along with that.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: California
@ Lexus2000 ... You mentioned that the guy in this post has the U140E transmission because this was used in the 1999-2003 ES 300, but according to some sources I have googled, it appears that the A541E also applies to the 3rd gen Lexus. Is this incorrect? If so, then what years do the A541E apply. It seems that this is the more common transmission in the 3rd gen. I am looking at 3rd gen cars now and trying to avoid the more expensive transmission if possibe, in case I might have to replace it. Any thoughts? Thank you for sharing any clarification that you might have.
Last edited by chulo12001; Oct 30, 2018 at 05:06 PM. Reason: Add reference to who I am directing question to
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 414
Likes: 30
From: California
@ Lexus2000 ... You mentioned that the guy in this post has the U140E transmission because this was used in the 1999-2003 ES 300, but according to some sources I have googled, it appears that the A541E also applies to the 3rd gen Lexus. Is this incorrect? If so, then what years do the A541E apply. It seems that this is the more common transmission in the 3rd gen. I am looking at 3rd gen cars now and trying to avoid the more expensive transmission if possibe, in case I might have to replace it. Any thoughts? Thank you for sharing any clarification that you might have.
Driver
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 113
Likes: 2
From: tx
Just had my u140 tranny repaired for 1900. They thought it had burned out due to overheating. The rebuilt included among several replaced parts , new clutches, solenoids, torque converter and a transmission cooler. Comes with a one year warranty but the shop was confident it was like new now and should last many years.
took it out for a test yesterday. Drives really smooth and seems to have more power as well.
vert pleased so far!
took it out for a test yesterday. Drives really smooth and seems to have more power as well.
vert pleased so far!
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: California
Smooth,
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Camry or Lexus A541E.
I recently replaced my 96 with a Camry 94 trans, runs like a dream, while I was there I replaced the torque convertor. Power is amazing, almost like new.
Picked up the trans under 90 day warranty for $250 and $150 for the TC from Auto Zone.
Make sure you get a new seals, 3 in total, just go to Toyota and ask for the TC seal, side seals for the axels CV joint gaskets for a 94, 95 or 96 Camry, It also takes Castrol Dextron 4 for Toyota, Honda ... it is on the label. Much cheaper at Autozone.
If you need the shop manual, pm me your email address.
Jim
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: California
Transmission help
I have a 94 Lexus ES300 with a transmissionA541E and I'm looking for help on figuring out what Transmissions I can swap in easily and out easily for more power or for factory OEM and any good place to buy one in the Sacramento area help
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