Yesterday I made an appointment with the dealer for an oil change and asked them to also check for erratic/jerky shifting (Ihad read here about the TSB, but chose not to lead them). They advised that the trans would take 45 minutes (- they seemed to know something, to know how long it would take), and could be done concurrently with the oil change, so I told them I'd wait (since it would take less than an hour altogether).

I brought the car in this morning, and after about an hour the guy came over to inform me that there's a TSB on that problem and they're downloading the software into my computer now - it'll just be a while longer.

A half hour later, he came over and said "Okay, you're ready to go. Now, can you bring the car back within a week so that we can download Part 2 of the software?" I said: "Sure, but I'm going on a trip to Boston this weekend. Will that have an effect on my driving?" He asked what I meant by that. I told him that I'd be running with only half the new software. I'd think that would have an effect on my car. He said I'd be fine.

I said "What's the matter, don't you have all the TSB software?" He answered vaguely, telling me that they have to download Part 2 before they can load it into my car. So I don't know what the heck is going on now. I'm bringing it back on Tuesday for "Part 2".

I suspect they couldn't get it to download properly into my car, and that someone who knows what to do may be back next week, from where ever they might be. I don't really think there's a part 1 and part 2 that can be done a week apart.



Car seems to be running no different.

 

I think they're giving you a run around! They installed this updated software this morning on my car and it's working beautifully. I spoke to the mechanic who did it and he never mentioned anything about Part 1 and Part 2! The complete fix is done in one session.

 

I spoke too soon!! After driving my car with the updated program and giving it enough time to learn my driving habits I find that this fix is totally unsatisfactory. The quote below was written by another dissatisfied Lexus owner that had his transmission updated with Lexus's newest software. It expresses my feelings exactly. This was posted on Edmunds website(post #115)

"TSB-TC004-03 is not a fix. Lexus has failed miserably to remedy the problem many of us have experienced with transmission for so long now.

The problem, that still exists and appears will never be fixed, is an utter lack of power when the gas pedal is pressed firmly at around 40mph and dangerously the RPMs shoot up as high as 5,000 RPM almost to red line. The gear then sticks and only when you take the foot off the gas pedal do the RPMs come down and the gear then "pops" into place.

Scary stuff when you are trying to pass a big rig while merging onto the highway going 40-60mph. There's not much time to react going this fast and only time will tell when someone will get seriously hurt from this severe problem.

The "fix" with this TSB, if you will, fixes only the cosmetic and more noticeable poor driving characteristics of the transmission so many of us unfortunate 2002-2003 ES300 owners have experienced over the last year and half. The shift points have changed, allowing for the vehicle to more appropriately adjust to our driving styles. The hesitation, shuddering, and fumbling for gears is not as pronounced as before. However, as I have said above, this is no fix for the more serious problem with our transmissions. Which is the considerable loss of power in acceleration with the RPMs going to dangerous levels while driving above 40mph.

Signed-
Very Irritated and Disappointed Lexus Customer"

 

There is no part 2. They are probably too busy. When you come next time please talk to the Shopforeman.
JPI