My 2002 LS430 with 205k miles is in great shape overall but has a tranny that slips badly but it will still go after 15 minutes warm up at idle. Local reliable tranny remanufacture says they cannot get the parts kit. What are my options? Thanks.

Update 7/14/2023: I had a local highly reputable transmission repair company check it out, change the fluid and filter and refill. They said the friction disks are excessively worn and the transmission must be overhauled. They replace everything including solenoids and all electrical inside normally but their repair parts source says they cannot get the parts kit for this transmission any longer. They can get the "soft parts" but not the other parts which are solenoids, electrical, etc. The repair shop said their normal sources for good reliable transmissions from totaled cars do not have any trannys for this model.
I see my options as these:
1) Buy a used transmission with a warranty from a reputable source.
2) Find a repair kit for the repair including all soft and other parts and solenoids, electrical, etc.
3) Pay some good tranny shop to repair only using soft parts (but my local reliable tranny shop is not willing to do that).
4) junk the car
5) ask you guys for your advice for sources for items 1) and 2) above or for other ideas.

 

Have you checked the fluid level?

 

I wouldn’t be so quick to assume the trans is bad. Check fluid level before diving into a trans repair assumption.

 

If you have the time I would check the level but would recommend a couple of drain and refills

 

I'll give a second vote for drain and refill. If all else fails, I would not go the route of a rebuild. The 5 speed automatics on the 01-03s are usually fairly indestructible if serviced properly. Finding a used one should'd be that difficult as there is not much demand for them. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

yes, please see updated information

 

ty, I have done all that. please see updated information.

 

ty, I had the fluid level checked, changed and diagnosed by a reputable tranny shop and they report the discs are excessively worn.

 

Our ‘01 now has 265k (acquired in ‘04 with 60k) and just had a full flush refill as normal maintenance service. Runs and shifts like new.

From the description and assessment by your transmission specialist it sounds like the car (before you got it) may have been driven very hard.

May be time to move onto another vehicle.