Transmission quick explain plus question
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 24
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From: Nv
Transmission quick explain plus question
Hello all at ClubLexus,
I have looked on the forums for my issue. I found a few good articles relating to my problem and I’ll continue to look, but I’ll post this here as well.
I have an LS430 2005 daily driver @145k miles and had a couple issues lately, starting 2 months ago. Most concerning is a sudden change in the way it shifts into drive from neutral. I turn the car on and casually shift from P to R, then from R to N, then from N to D. When shifting from N to D, it often(50% of the time?) jumps/jerks while shifting into gear.
The only other time I feel any sort of jump/jerk while the transmission switches gears iswhen I am driving and coming to a stop, shifting down to its lowest gear it sometimes gives a small jump/jerking feeling. Otherwise it runs good on the highway.
I recently had a Lexus dealer reseal and fill the transmission pan/case…apparently they did not flush, they simply topped off the transmission fluid…lame. And this did not solve my problem.
I have a code reader and no codes came up..
This is not my daily driver currently. Hoping to fix this issue and use it as daily driver again.
Anyone have a decent idea on my next move, please?
Many thanks ahead of time.
EDIT: I went for a couple drives today and it seems like the problem is greatest upon cold start and shifting down to D.
I have looked on the forums for my issue. I found a few good articles relating to my problem and I’ll continue to look, but I’ll post this here as well.
I have an LS430 2005 daily driver @145k miles and had a couple issues lately, starting 2 months ago. Most concerning is a sudden change in the way it shifts into drive from neutral. I turn the car on and casually shift from P to R, then from R to N, then from N to D. When shifting from N to D, it often(50% of the time?) jumps/jerks while shifting into gear.
The only other time I feel any sort of jump/jerk while the transmission switches gears iswhen I am driving and coming to a stop, shifting down to its lowest gear it sometimes gives a small jump/jerking feeling. Otherwise it runs good on the highway.
I recently had a Lexus dealer reseal and fill the transmission pan/case…apparently they did not flush, they simply topped off the transmission fluid…lame. And this did not solve my problem.
I have a code reader and no codes came up..
This is not my daily driver currently. Hoping to fix this issue and use it as daily driver again.
Anyone have a decent idea on my next move, please?
Many thanks ahead of time.
EDIT: I went for a couple drives today and it seems like the problem is greatest upon cold start and shifting down to D.
Last edited by A2005LS430; Apr 15, 2025 at 10:52 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 606
Likes: 110
From: New York
Hello all at ClubLexus,
I have looked on the forums for my issue. I found a few good articles relating to my problem and I’ll continue to look, but I’ll post this here as well.
I have an LS430 2005 daily driver @145k miles and had a couple issues lately, starting 2 months ago. Most concerning is a sudden change in the way it shifts into drive from neutral. I turn the car on and casually shift from P to R, then from R to N, then from N to D. When shifting from N to D, it often(50% of the time?) jumps/jerks while shifting into gear.
The only other time I feel any sort of jump/jerk while the transmission switches gears iswhen I am driving and coming to a stop, shifting down to its lowest gear it sometimes gives a small jump/jerking feeling. Otherwise it runs good on the highway.
I recently had a Lexus dealer reseal and fill the transmission pan/case…hopefully they drained and filled with new fluid. This did not solve my problem.
I have a code reader and no codes came up..
This is not my daily driver currently. Hoping to fix this issue and use it as daily driver again.
Anyone have a decent idea on my next move, please?
Many thanks ahead of time.
I have looked on the forums for my issue. I found a few good articles relating to my problem and I’ll continue to look, but I’ll post this here as well.
I have an LS430 2005 daily driver @145k miles and had a couple issues lately, starting 2 months ago. Most concerning is a sudden change in the way it shifts into drive from neutral. I turn the car on and casually shift from P to R, then from R to N, then from N to D. When shifting from N to D, it often(50% of the time?) jumps/jerks while shifting into gear.
The only other time I feel any sort of jump/jerk while the transmission switches gears iswhen I am driving and coming to a stop, shifting down to its lowest gear it sometimes gives a small jump/jerking feeling. Otherwise it runs good on the highway.
I recently had a Lexus dealer reseal and fill the transmission pan/case…hopefully they drained and filled with new fluid. This did not solve my problem.
I have a code reader and no codes came up..
This is not my daily driver currently. Hoping to fix this issue and use it as daily driver again.
Anyone have a decent idea on my next move, please?
Many thanks ahead of time.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 464
From: North Carolina
Has the ECU been repaired as a lot have had shifting problems with this year and repair fixed the problems. You can call one of the repair shops and explain your problem and see if that is one of the symptoms. Also a weak battery causes different transmission problems as the ECU needs good voltage at startup and if not there confuses the microprocessors.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 380
Likes: 106
From: Florida
I bought a 2004 out of auction and it's still in the body shop - but yeah, when I put it into drive it takes sometimes 30 sec. and then slight bang - it's in gear - Slow on reverse too but not as bad as park to drive. I too was thinking selenoid and tranny service first. So the torq converter on these is also suspect? Going to still sort this out with the shop I use - Atlas transmission in West Palm. When it's warmed up and in drive, no issues and shifs like it should.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 24
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From: Nv
I suppose anything is possible at this point. I took it to Lexus recently and they resealed the transmission pan and only topped off the fluid. While they did this, do you think they would notice if the motor mounts were loose? Also, I drove it around today and it seems like the problem is bad upon startup, but after driving for 20 mins, I’ll pull over and shift around while parked, the issue seems to be much more faint compared to a fresh startup and shift into drive.
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Nv
Has the ECU been repaired as a lot have had shifting problems with this year and repair fixed the problems. You can call one of the repair shops and explain your problem and see if that is one of the symptoms. Also a weak battery causes different transmission problems as the ECU needs good voltage at startup and if not there confuses the microprocessors.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Nv
I bought a 2004 out of auction and it's still in the body shop - but yeah, when I put it into drive it takes sometimes 30 sec. and then slight bang - it's in gear - Slow on reverse too but not as bad as park to drive. I too was thinking selenoid and tranny service first. So the torq converter on these is also suspect? Going to still sort this out with the shop I use - Atlas transmission in West Palm. When it's warmed up and in drive, no issues and shifs like it should.
I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to do and if I get er fixed.
Also, my problem seems to only be a big problem upon cold start…I went to the Lexus dealer and they said they don’t do tranny fixes, only replacements..so there’s that. Only reason I went to the dealership is because it seems like no one wants to mess with LS430 transmission. Also, just so you know, they quoted me $1,000 for front brakes, and I believe $1,000 for rear brakes. Firestone quoted me about $700 for front+rear, so imma get new brakes on this thang, they do need it.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 380
Likes: 106
From: Florida
Man that’s crazy, 30 secs!?
I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to do and if I get er fixed.
Also, my problem seems to only be a big problem upon cold start…I went to the Lexus dealer and they said they don’t do tranny fixes, only replacements..so there’s that. Only reason I went to the dealership is because it seems like no one wants to mess with LS430 transmission. Also, just so you know, they quoted me $1,000 for front brakes, and I believe $1,000 for rear brakes. Firestone quoted me about $700 for front+rear, so imma get new brakes on this thang, they do need it.
I’ll keep you posted on what I decide to do and if I get er fixed.
Also, my problem seems to only be a big problem upon cold start…I went to the Lexus dealer and they said they don’t do tranny fixes, only replacements..so there’s that. Only reason I went to the dealership is because it seems like no one wants to mess with LS430 transmission. Also, just so you know, they quoted me $1,000 for front brakes, and I believe $1,000 for rear brakes. Firestone quoted me about $700 for front+rear, so imma get new brakes on this thang, they do need it.
I just spoke with my transmission guy - gonna have to bring it in - no telling until it gets an inspection
Last edited by Holden53; Apr 16, 2025 at 06:59 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 464
From: North Carolina
It seems like 30 but really probably 7 to 10 seconds then "bump" or "kadunk" it goes in drive on cold start - I can drive it on the street near the autobody shop where it's getting a repaint and bodywork - I drive it to charge the battery and it shifts fine - Its slow to reverse when cold also. Thx for posting about Lexus not wanting to fix and only replace - that seems to be the method for all dealerships - they are not in the tranny business but the replace business. I will call Atlas today and speak with them and see what he says. Been using them for a long time. The 2006 has the 6 speed not the 5. Yes, Lexus will charge more than local. I use a local guy for regular oil changes and tune-ups. Way less.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 380
Likes: 106
From: Florida
Thx for the reply - I just put a new battery in a month ago - due to a backup at the bodyshop the car has been sitting and the battery got weak.
The car gets moved from time to time and was running only a few minutes each week.
The hard shift is there with the new charged battery - so I think there needs to be work done on this transmission.
I don't know if its the ECU or selenoids.
"In a Lexus LS430, transmission solenoid problems can manifest as delayed or unpredictable gear shifts, skipping gears, getting stuck in a certain gear, or a sluggish vehicle. Other symptoms include the engine revving when braking, a check engine light, and difficulty downshifting or upshifting. Some owners have reported the car getting stuck in neutral or experiencing a harsh shift when coming to a stop"
I still not 100% sure if this is a selenoid or ECU - I still need to get the transmission serviced either way due to mileage. This is an auction car I am restoring for personal use.
I just spoke with my transmission guy - gonna have to bring it in - no telling until it gets an inspection
H.
The car gets moved from time to time and was running only a few minutes each week.
The hard shift is there with the new charged battery - so I think there needs to be work done on this transmission.
I don't know if its the ECU or selenoids.
"In a Lexus LS430, transmission solenoid problems can manifest as delayed or unpredictable gear shifts, skipping gears, getting stuck in a certain gear, or a sluggish vehicle. Other symptoms include the engine revving when braking, a check engine light, and difficulty downshifting or upshifting. Some owners have reported the car getting stuck in neutral or experiencing a harsh shift when coming to a stop"
I still not 100% sure if this is a selenoid or ECU - I still need to get the transmission serviced either way due to mileage. This is an auction car I am restoring for personal use.
I just spoke with my transmission guy - gonna have to bring it in - no telling until it gets an inspection
H.
Last edited by Holden53; Apr 16, 2025 at 07:00 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 464
From: North Carolina
Seems like the majority on this forum with 2004-2006 that have sent ECU off for repair has fixed there problems. Blown caps and solder joints are prevalent in this ECU and not too expensive to repair.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 380
Likes: 106
From: Florida
Thanks Alex - will recheck threads and ECU repairs to get better aquainted with this issue - thx for posting
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