donmecca

Hello,
This is my first post and I own a '99 LS 400 with ~150K.
About 9 months ago the transmission started to take a long time to engage into gear when first started. Since we live in Ft. Lauderdale it was not a cold weather climate issue. As the months progressed it got worse and we had our local mechanic (certified ASE but not a Lexus specialist) look at it. He drained 1/2 the transmission fluid and replaced with new. I did not ask him if it was Type 4 as stated in other threads concerning transmissions, on my to do list if he remembers. This did not help in any way shape or form.
Today the transmission will not engage and its sitting in the driveway, I'm trying to decide if I should take it to AAA transmission shop or the Lexus dealer we bought it from in '02.
Any advice based on this info?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

The dealer will try to sell you a transmission as will AAA. Your between a rock and a hard place. Have you ever had the fluid changed since you bought the car? If not you more than likely burned it out. Before you try a rebuild drop the tranny pan and check the filter and the magnets to see if there are any metal shavings. Most importantly double check your fluid level through the dipstick after the car has warmed up and is on level ground.

donmecca

We had never had the transmission fluid replaced prior to this incident (unless Lexus dealership did it on a service trip). I saw a thread that showed a tranny pan dropped and shavings from a gasket and other stuff in it, wow that looked scary.
Thanks for the advice, I just have to figure out how to get my 300lb #ss under the car now.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i would personally do a full drain, small flush, then refill on the trans fluid to rule it out. i've seen transmissions behave night and day after a simple fluid replacement, of course using the correct fluid which is toyota type-IV ATF. i would do this first as it's easy and doesn't require pulling the pan just yet.

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/trans...ransflush.html

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Agree with Timmy. This is a low cost attempt by draining filling with the Type IV fluid. These cars are very durable so long as all the fluids get maintained. You may revive it.

Just to cover your bases, drain the power steering, brake and differential fluids too.

dicer

Use some card board to lay on, all car guys should have a good floor jack with a rubber pad on it. Jack the car up and unless you have special jack stands I use wood with a hard wood piece that has a small slot to engage the pinch weld at the tire jack point, to block the car up. And you still want extra safety of jack stands or a screw jack as well. Even blocks under the tires if they are staying on. Always safety first. Even with ramps you still should use jack stands to catch it. After its up high enough, drain the trans. Your problem could be just low on fluid. And maybe before doing the drain deal just check the fluid, engine running in park, you will have to do multiple dips to see where its at. See if it shows at all on the stick. Needs to be level.

donmecca

Thanks Ya'll, good advice and safety tips, have the jack just need to pick up some support stands. Lucky I'm in construction biz so wood and blocks are no problem throwing in the back of my Titan!