krawietz

twice in the last few weeks, i have backed the car out of the garage in reverse, then put in drive. the car would not move, but the engine revved up like the car was in neutural. after waiting several minutes the first time it took off ok. the second time the car started to move but at a much higher rpm than normal. reverse worked just fine. i tried maually shifting to 1,2,3,4 d, it made no difference.

has this happened to anyone else? if so any suggestions. the car has 54000 miles and the transmission has never been serviced, but the maintenance schedule doesn't call for changing transmission fluid. thank you.

warp10

Well I know there's a slight hesitation between the main gears P, R, Drive. Usually it goes into somewhat of a neutral state (rpms rise like 100rpms) then shifts into the new gear. However, I have an 04 with a 6speed transmission. Have you checked your transmission fluid level just for the heck of it?

AlexusAnja

The manual may not call for "maintenance" on the transmission, but the 2001 does not have the sealed 'world standard' lifetime fluid, so you will have to change the fluid at some point. Given the low miles, but high years (eight) I would say a drain and fill (or flush and fill) might help out.

There should not be a "slipping" or lenghty hesitation to any transmission...

warp10

I wish the 2004+ had dipsticks.

AlexusAnja

Then it would not be called "sealed"...

But I understand what you're saying. Even sealed, how would we know if it's low, or actually has fluid in there? I believe there is a warning message for transmission fluid on the display, so no worries there. Just gotta trust the sensor is not bad.

Boomer01

I also have an 01 but with around 124,000 miles and have never had any sort of slipping problem. To my knowledge, the transmission fluid had never been changed until this past weekend when I drained and filled it up. IMO, it is much safer to drain and fill a few times instead of flushing.

warp10

AlexusAnja, good to know there's a dummy light. For sure if these things leak, one would be in deep trouble.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

I drain and refill my GS430 every oil change (7-8K)... its a healthy practice to keep the tranny supplied with clean fluid for better more crisp shifts. I will be changing the tranny mount soon as well.

PhoenixMGT

I have had a 90/94/98 LS400 99 SC400 and 2001 LS430. I have always done a fluid exchanges every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. 54,000 miles and 8 years on Transmission Fluid? I am amazed you even got out of your driveway!

GRAND LS4: I WANT TO BUY YOUR GS OK!?!?!?!

I am not a transmission specialist but I am a service freak on my cars because I have a few friends who are mechanics. Whatever you do... do NOT do a flush. I know if the system is old and dirty (like 8 years and 54K) they can make things worse.

I would contact the dealer as well as contact several knowledgeable transmissions shops for their opinion.

I also do NOT agree with the whole lifetime fluid thing which is total BS but I won't take time here to explain (ie I have a Honda Ridgeline Truck and they say "Oh, you don't need to change your coolant until 50,000 miles".... yeah, I DON"T Think so. My buddy pulls these engines apart and shows me what's going on... Go ahead and change it... I know it's only got 1 year and 15,000 miles... I'll pay the $69.

krawietz

thanks everyone. the trans fluid level was full and the fluid looked very clean. upon recommendation of the dealer, i had transmission flush $250. they also found the battery not passing full load test (no signs of this), and replaced it for a prorated amount. don't know if the 2 problems could somehow be related (transmission electronic controls??). have not had problem again yet, but it was intermitent. thanks for all the great advice.

bigcory

My 05' has a noticable lag between shifting from Reverse/backing up/then into drive. A good full second and a half. Considerably longer than anything i've ever driven before. Made me worried so I asked a tech to drive it. He said it was normal.

I am curious to drive another LS and see how it feels when shifting.

JBrady

I have seen other cars have shifting problems when the shift linkage (cable and or links) is out of alignment, bent, corroded, ect. Additionally a sensor such as the neutral switch is hanging it could delay engagement.

A sharp technician should be able to confirm and or rule out this sort of problem.

Fastguynum

I've had the same problem yesterday. I have an 2001 LS430 with 185,000 miles. Never had a problem before with the transmission. When I started the car, the battery was low ( I don't drive it often) and it cranked slowly before starting. I backed out of the driveway and put it in drive and noted the engine revving more than normal as I pulled away. Shifting manually didn't change anything. At the next block, it was back to normal.
What was the resolution for you? Thanks!

BTC89LS400

Yeah, I've heard that a drain and fill is better than flushing because flushing would damage transmission gaskets and pretty much ruin your tranny. Meanwhile a drain and fill is a controlled slow process that is time consuming, but guarantees you're not going to trash your trany

Scootymad

The prefacelift transmission (the A650E) is a robust piece of kit. Usually you'll get some slippage and shift flaring if its gotten too hot, and it'll let you know when it does. Old or worn fluid will do expected and also bizarre things to a transmission, much like the slipping issues you have been having. Also agree with the power flushing, if there's any crusty schmoo in the transmission valve body and torque converter, flushing it will knock it loose and can cause it to get stuck in the valves, clutches and converter vanes, basically anywhere with clearances that'll stop something from moving or sealing.