Took my 04 LS into shop for 120k service a month ago. Did not seem right when I got it back: when stopping in a parking lot and then rolling forward it lurched forward a few times. Driving today and noticed it would not go past 3rd gear. Moved the shifter over to the left for manual and would not shift past third despite the instrument cluster displaying 4th, 5th and 6th as I tried to upshift.

It is back in the shop overnight. They called and said it had to be totally cold in the morning to correctly refill the transmission fluid.

Any ideas on what might be wrong? Never had an issue before the 120,000 service was performed. Oh well...at least it is not a transmission issue on an out of warranty Lexus the week of Christmas...oh wait...

 

sounds like the transmission is low on fluid.

 

I hope it is as simple as that. Wish I had taken it back sooner. Thanks for your reply!

 

This was done by a Lex dealer? On a "sealed" 04-06 transmission, it's harder to change fluid. A Lex dealer uses a temperature gauge to measure the amount of ATF. This seems to be the best way to do it. More expensive of course.

There's also the drain and replace w/ an equal amount of new ATF. I know people in here DIY w/ no problem. The Indy I used got it wrong by more than 1/2 quart.

 

It's like clockwork, whenever someone messes with the transmission fluid, it starts to have major problems a short time afterwards.

I understand the impulse to have fresh fluid and not trusting "lifetime", but clearly Lexus messed up with how they are telling their techs to service these because it seems like the only time anyone ever has a transmission problem starts with "I had the shop change the fluid...."

 

This was done at an independent that I have had a good track record with. I suspect that there could be an issue with a lack of experience here. Do you think there could be permanent damage or is the shifting capped at 3rd an electronic safeguard from the transmission not having the proper amount of fluid?

 

Thanks for your reply. Do you think there is any real damage here or will it correct itself when the fluid is correct again?

 

i didnt think there will be any damage.i had a tacoma i didnt put enough fluid in and i had the same issues that yours has and once i put more in it i had no other issues.

 

It's been discussed many times but general consensus is that "lifetime" transmission fluid needs to be changed at some point. Ask any Lex mechanic or some of the very knowledgable CL members. Also, changing out all the fluids (coolant, brake, PS, differential) and doing regular trans drain/refills (depending on mileage driven, maybe annually) are good ways to make a car last longer.

So far, I haven't heard complaints when a Lex dealer does it. Also the DIY'ers seem to have it dialed in. The dealer here did a great job. I'll trust my indy w/ many things but he screwed up on the drain/refill.

 

One legendary Lex durability story is about the 430 owner that never changed the engine oil. It did finally seize up at something like 80k. Hopefully your transmission is equally durable. Anyone know how underfilled a trans must be to make it not shift past 3rd?

 

Dang it's not often an LS430 throws an unexpected maintenance issue. Independent shop doesn't offer loaners so I am driving a delivery van home from work. I feel like I'm back in kindergarten when I lost my blankey. I hope they get it right tomorrow. Now off to drive the humble express.

 

Ouch. Do you get any credit for delivering xmas packages. Hopefully it's not too long a drive!

 

Got my car back today: they did some research and performed the flush early this morning when the car was cold. I believe they used a "scanner" to monitor temperature as well. My LS is back to unnoticeable seamless shifting. It is possible the transmission was as much as a quart low from the service performed when the car was still warm. Hopefully no long term damage has been done. The refusal to shift beyond 3rd gear was a fail safe mechanism. I should have gone to the dealer on this one but this independent shop has always treated me well over many years. Looks like everything will be ok for now! Thanks again for the replies.

 

some 04 ls430 had tranny recalls and needed a new tranny, check with the dealer if yours is one of them.

 

Hello, My LS once i put the gear on to "D" Drive it gives a jerk and then after 3rd gear its not shifting at all. I tried to drive on "S" on display it shows gear 4 or 5 or 6 but physically after 3rd gear its not shifting. I went to my regular local mechanic he checked the gear oil level which is ok and colour of the oil is RED which is a good sign. Then i went to a computer technician who diagnose the car and clear all the faults but still the problem is there.

What should i do? Any Suggestions? Do i have to change the complete gear box ?