Hey guys, my 1995 LS400 has been shifting weird lately. I bought the car 3 weeks ago and the CEL comes and goes, but now it stays on and sometimes the ECT light flashes for a bit... I haven't pulled the trouble codes, but I figured I would search and then ask. It sounds like it could be the shift solenoid, but there wasn't any info really about the flashing ECT... What do you guys think. Car is a 1995 with 151k on the odometer

 

Cant really make a suggestion without the codes. As with all these LS400's when just recently bought, fluids are key issues to inspect/service. If it has been shifting funny, I'd have checked the tranny fluid at the onset.

 

Ok code is P0770. Shift Solenoid Valve E(5) problem

 

Yup...what color is the fluid? Those sensors-valves don't take to well when the fluid becomes dirty and burned with particulates flowing through... P0770.

Do the partial drain and fill then see what happens. If it isn't bad and the light clears, you got off easy. May take a few drains with Type IV if the fluid is brown. If there is a lot of big black particulates in the fluid, you'll have to drop the pan and clean/replace the solenoid valve. Do the partial tranny fluid drain procedure first, it is easy. Comes out about 2 quarts at a time, measure what comes out and replace exactly. Now if the fluid level is low or high, adjust as necessary to obtain proper levels.

Saddens me because many of you getting LS400's now, the previous owners have neglected the basics like fluids. They think these are lifetime and don't even bother to check so when the car has problems, they dump them off. If the tranny is neglected, do the PS and differential. Both these are not big $ fluid services.

 

Fuuuuuuuuudge.... Ok thanks....

 

Don't stress to much. The trannys are robust and respond well if not neglected for extended intervals. We have threads on the shift solenoid so you have good info on hand.

 

sounds like it's time for a solenoid swap.

 

Hello, I just got this great car and the ect light flashes and check engine light is on. Got code p0773. The tranny shifts fine in all gears. Will this code effect the power/normal switch? If tranny shifts fine should I worry about this? Am I missing out on the extra power from the power setting? Can I get same results from just manually shifting? Will new solenoid fix the ect? Thanks for all responses and consideration.

 

Well my audio system just quit working. Miss that. So I tried disconnecting the battery hoping for a reboot of some kind. Didn't help the stereo but the check engine light is out and the ect seems to be working. I can feel the difference in performance with the Power button on. How long will this last? LoL!!!

 

Until you drive under another high tension power line . Sometimes computers just do that. Also could be the capacitor deal starting to happen.

 

I have similar issues with my lexus rx330. The check engine light keeps blinking, the car shakes even when stationary with the engine on especially in traffic, and the car does not ride smoothly on the high way.

I took it to a mechanic workshop/servicing centre where it was suggested that it's engine spark plugs problem which I let them change all six. The air filter and adjacent parts were cleaned including the air flow meter. However, prior to the development of this "flashing check engine light" they have changed the passenger front shock absorberror, both shaft tubing protector, and the two steering locks (the thyroid, the previous day. The problem continues.

Today, I had the car scanned and got these codes:
C1223 (malfunctioning ABS)
C1246 (malfunctioning master cylinder pressure sensor)
P0304 (s1 and s2)

Please I need help for the interpretation of these results/code and how I will sort out these problems.

Thank you all in advance.

 

This is the LS forum, not RX! Your best option is to take it back since they goofed it up and tell them to fix it.
The ABS would be related to doing that shock work.

 

I own a 95 Lexus LS400 with 218k miles. I've had it for about a year and have only added 6k miles on it since purchase. The ect dashlight has been blinking and the check engine light has been on ever since I bought it with error code P0773. The seller said that it was fine to drive. Eventually the car would no longer shift into Reverse so I parked it for a couple of months until I recently took it into a transmission shop. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced so I agreed to have him install a used transmission with 112k miles on it. After he finished installing he told me the the new transmission works great but he could not fix what caused the problem originally. He checked the wiring and control solenoid and found out that nothing was wrong in that area. He thinks there is a computer malfunction that is keeping the torque converter from locking up. It was beyond his knowledge and suggested that I visit a auto electric repair shop and not to drive the car or I will burn up the new transmission as well.

Does anyone have any advice or knowledge that I can use before I spend more money to have it diagnosed at this auto electric repair shop? Also, should I try taking it to a Lexus or Toyota dealership for diagnosis rather that a 3rd party?

 

It maybe the ecu capacitor deal. On the older ones the ECU is for both engine and transmission. And yes better off with the dealer, unless you find a good independent.

 

jacster231..... yes, you have already made a mistake in replacing the tranny at a shop who knows nothing about Lexus... these cars are different. your lack of knowledge combined with his has made a mess. either use the dealer or a good independent Lexus repair shop.. I see you and dicer are in wa. try him...