Hi all,

One more of my last few issues for the GS (hopefully )
the transmission is having some issues. When moving from a stop, it normally revs up to 3k rpm and moves very slowly then shifts hard into the next gear, and when I floor it, it doesn’t feel like its actually going full throttle until I’m over about 60km/h

Also on the shifter it does not actually shift into the L or 2 gears, 3 and 4 works fine.
the ECT PWR light is flashing almost always. This used to happen sometimes only, but now its every time I start the car.

Its a 1998 GS300 with 160,000kms (100K miles), and I don’t think the trans has ever been serviced.
My assumption is that the transmission fluid is aged, which causes too high temperatures in some solenoid. I think it needs a service (fluid, filter, gasket) and a new shift solenoid. I have a new transmission coming soon (it was a steal), just want to know if someone has had a similar issue so I can save some time.

Cheers.

 

A service should certainly help. Just don't do a flush. Use toyota type i-v tranny fluid or something equivalent. Make sure you get the transmission pan gasket sorted. Factory comes with Form in Place Gasket on the pan but in my opinion it's more pain than it's worth.

I just double up on the paper gaskets that are offered aftermarket and I don't have any issues with leaks.