Need Help
Thread Starter
2nd gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
Need Help
I have a 02 Lexus ls430, the car will reverse fine and the shifter works smoothly, but on cold start when I put the car in drive It will not go anywhere on its own, If I sit for about 30 seconds to a minute with my foot OFF the break, the car will very slowly start to creep forward but when I accelerate it will slam. If I give it a little gas without waiting it will slam as well, I tried getting fluid flush and filter but that didn't fix the issue. Once it does that initial slam shift every other shift is smooth, If I drive the car to the store and then come back to start it again it doesn't do it only in the morning and after being parked for about 5 or more hours. I noticed a little amount of oil leaking from the rear main seal but would that cause this? If anyone has dealt with this or has any insight please respond, Thank you
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 464
From: North Carolina
I know this sounds exactly like a transmission issue but make sure you have a good fully charged 12v battery. The battery may check fine but these cars are very finicky about the voltage has to be right at startup for the ecu. There have been very strange things happening with the transmission because of this. To see if this is not the case put the battery on a trickle charger overnight. I had something similar happen to mine and transmission place and Lexus diagnosis had no idea what the problem was. My mirrors unfolding and steering wheel motors were enough to at times cause a not so perfect battery that checked fine to fool the ecu. Changing the battery fixed my problem and that was 15 years ago with no problem since.
Add a half quart of transmission fluid. See if that helps. If it helps add the rest of the quart.
Had a similar issue. Checking the transmission fluid level is tricky. I believe the correct way is hot and running.
Had a similar issue. Checking the transmission fluid level is tricky. I believe the correct way is hot and running.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 138
Likes: 32
From: FL
i also have a 2002 ls430 and occasionally experience the same thing, sometimes with reverse also. initially thought it was a transmission issue. then had the fluid flushed, still happens but just not as often. I think it's an ecu issue to be honest, leaky capacitors. maybe battery as others have said, I have an audio system hooked up to my battery so it definitely is not in best condition
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