ZDCATC

I have two guesses to throw out there.
1. The fluid you're squirting in could be up to 50 degrees F different than the stuff already circulating through the transmission. Remember they want you to circulate the fluid first before removing the overflow plug anyway.
2. It might be difficult to tell if the fluid is "trickling" or just spewing back out because your pumping too quickly

edit: Btw I assumed you were asking if it can be done while the engine is running. As mentioned before, when the engine is off fluid will pour out of the overflow plug and you'll be back at square one (AMHIK also lol).

MpKSonic

Has anyone lost first gear or had the Check VSC light come on due to low transmission fluid?


Coming home from a weekend trip to my parents, (40 miles away), noticed my Check VSC light came on about 5 minutes after I started driving. I was still on the local road this time, nearly onto the highway. Wasn't till I got to town that I noticed I didn't have first gear. My car was starting in 2nd from a dead stop in auto mode. I never switched it to manual to try and force it into first. Also noticed the transmission hanging in gears and it sometimes acted like a slipping clutch when it finally did shift. I never had symptoms of low transmission fluid before this.

I browsed this whole thread and couldn't find anyone mentioning that they lost first gear or had their Check VSC light come on with the symptoms of low transmission fluids, so that has me slightly worried.

Took my car into Lexus this morning. I'm hoping it's just low fluid.

*edit. Just got home early from work and noticed some residue on the garage floor of something that dripped near what I would guess is the differential. That's also a first. This may be more than just low fluid then. Damn.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Sounds like a clogged solenoid valve. Not good at all.

MpKSonic

The codes that were pulled were P0171 and P0174. There is one more that the service tech couldn't remember off the top of his head.

Could running lean somehow cause transmission issues?

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

No. Not a chance.

MpKSonic

My common sense was screaming the same thing to me.

The tech was unable to replicate my transmission issues. When I went in to pick up the loaner I requested the tech ride along with me. First getting int he car, the codes were cleared and 1st gear was available in auto mode. About a minute into the ride, the codes came back and immediately lost first gear.

The tech said, in reference to the air-to-fuel ratio, it was about a 30:1, which is more than double stoichiometric, yeah? He was saying that with it being that extreme, it should be easy to pinpoint the culprit.

While the car is in with them, I am also getting the airbag recall performed. Might as well.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

30:1 will not ignite. Years ago, it was a huge achievement to get a 17:1 mixture to ignite and it took microwave emitting spark plugs to do it. This sounds really weird and like you're not getting all the information available to the tech.

MpKSonic

I may have misinterpreted the tech when he threw out the number 30. Given that we were talking about running lean, I assumed the number 30 was to represent the mixture. He did say that when the sensor, (not sure which sensor), reads above 20, it will throw a code.

lima

What is the torque spec on the 14mm AT drain plug? 15 ft-lb?

MpKSonic

Service tech said MAF is shot, which is causing all of the problems. How? I dunno. Is that a limp mode, protection override?

Also, I had them go ahead and do a drain and fill. Airbag recall is done.

For the MAF, do I need part # 22204-31020 or 22204-31020 or both? On this link, https://www.mylparts.com/auto-parts/...ir-intake-scat , both parts come up under #7 MAF.

ZDCATC

Yes 15 ft*lbf

Just 2220431020 (the MAF) or 22204 in the pic below. Part #1770538110 or 17705 in the diagram is the air box cover. Holy crap it's $350. Part #9009900289 is one of the two screws that hold the MAF in place. I would reuse your old ones.

ISDAS

had a Lexus dealer replace my fluid @ 58,000km (36k) and yeah what a difference in shifting.. so much smoother.

my ATF was pitch black also so I will be doing this every few years going forward for sure!

ISDAS

Should have taken it to Chatswood Lexus , I had mine done last week and paid a bit over 1/2 and its being performed by the best of the best.

isfvss

Did they put 12lts of WS OIL in, even in the US its $400 full flush, and I'm in BEUTIFUL Moruya ( $250 petrol, Sydney traffic "hair loss",$200 accommodation, King Cross priceless, Doctors bills $$$$ ) this add up to the price of the PPE headers

BlckGhst

At 94k miles, the fluid that came out of my IS-F was dark red. I think the stuff that came out of my 08 IS350 was a little darker at half the miles. Feel better now that its done