I own a 2000 Lexus LS400 and it has 170,000 miles on it and I am experiencing A transmission shutter and I have been told it may possibly be torque converter has anyone had this issue on this year and model? Thank you

 

What's shutter?

 

Its your SL-Lock Up solenoid, had that happen to my 97 around 260k. That controls the locking/unlocking of the torque converter when coming to a stop. If you're getting a code PO770, then its for sure the culprit, that's what will pop up eventually.

They're about $300 at the dealer, so I would first go to a JY and see if you can snag one from a wrecked car, since it'll probably solve the problem.

When you remove the one in the JY, if you shake it and it makes a noise, that means its broken. That's how I could tell mine was broken vs. the JY one I got which was silent when shaken. The windings in the solenoid break or something internally breaks causing a click-click. I'm not sure what breaks exactly.

Just match yours up with the transmission code on your door jamb with the JY car and you'll be fine as the 90-97s had 4 spd autos vs. the 98-00s which had 5 speed autos.

Here's what it looked like in my 97 https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-solenoid.html

and the initial post I started https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...g-to-stop.html

 

Thanks for the reply, not sure if this is same issue as yours as my shatter only happens mainly when I am accelerating between 40 mph and 65 mph. I never experienced anything when stopping or breaking.

 

I imagine you mean "shudder". I've experienced shudder on acceleration due to failing center support bearing. If you can't pull any codes, than it is probably not the transmission solenoid.

 

Yes there are no codes popping up. How do I find out if mine is the center bearing?

 

In my case, I just bought a new one, replaced it and the problem was gone. My shudder was at lower speed. Don't know how you can tell without taking it out.

 

It's possible it's as simple as a wheel balance issue, it could also be transmission mounts causing a shudder at certain speeds. Gonna need more information to rule things out. Sadly a "shudder" could be a lot of different things.

Issues with transmissions don't only show up at highway-ish speeds. It's usually presented during shifting, lower speeds, jerking, noises. If there are no codes being thrown by the computer, then I agree with the rest of the thread, it's probably not the transmission itself.

This is a super awesome post that everyone with a LS should bookmark:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...l#post10411641

 

Yes I do notice this flutter that you are speaking of, when I takeoff from a stop and gradually accelerate I can feel the flutter. But when I notice it the most and when the car is warmed up it is usually around 40 to 45 mile an hour range clear up to 60 or 65. Yeah I have been told the first thing to try is to drain the transmission fluid from the pan and refill so that you remove a lot of the old fluid and replace it with new. I have done this five times and fluid seems to be clean. And I have also been told not to change the filter or have the transmission flushed due to the mileage which I have 170,000 miles on the vehicle, so I have not did either one of these things. I also have tried an additive called shutter fix which I have not noticed a difference with the additive or with replacing the transmission fluid. I can supply you with more information just let me know what it is you need to know. Thank you for your response

 

Mine was primarily at takeoff, and then there was a weird hum at a higher speed, but no shudder. Still, replacing the center support bearing got rid of it. However, I replaced it with an aftermarket one, and regret the decision because now, 2 yrs later, I am hearing the same noises at highway speeds. No shudder (yet) but I already bought an OEM center support bearing to replace the non-oem one soon.

 

I will definitely look into this, thank you for your response it’s much appreciated

 

Got an oem one, replaced it and it exposed bad ujoints. Replaced them too, vibration is gone but hum remains. Mechanic narrowed it down to valve body. I still think its a wheel bearing up front. Getting a second opinion this weekend.

 

The reason I’m leaning more towards transmission or torque converter issues is because you don’t notice it when the car is cold only when it has been driven and up to temperature is when I noticed the shudder.

 

One way to verify whether transmission,.... OR driveshaft, differential, half-shaft or wheel bearing related would be to run the engine with the transmission in drive while driveshaft removed.

I realize that this necessitate temporarily reinstalling the exhaust system to do, but isolates source of NVH - noise, vibration or harshness.

The transmission tailshaft bearing and rear differential are possible problem areas

 

Two other areas that merit attention;

At 170k Miles, the transmission shifter linkage and rubber isolation bushing require attention:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...-bushings.html

And the transmission temperature sensor may be tired, so while you are in there, replace it.

See:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...re-sensor.html