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I was able to take on my ECUand did a visual inspection and it seems fine no leaking capicitors like others mentioned so I’m still hesitant to send it to SIA what if it’s not the computer :/
I honestly felt the same way, but my other options were not appealing either. Since my symptoms lined up with the others who had success through SIA, I decided it was worth $150 before making the hard choices.
It paid off and I haven't looked back since. It really felt too good to be true, but it is not. Hope you figure it out.
I was able to take on my ECUand did a visual inspection and it seems fine no leaking capicitors like others mentioned so I’m still hesitant to send it to SIA what if it’s not the computer :/
If I remember it correctly, LS430 manufactured until certain month in 2004 were Included in the program offered by dealers to reFlash ECU to improve shifting. I would check this first before sending the unit to SIA. Also, it is not necessarily capacitors that are leaking, but the transmission chip itself and/or eeprom that must be rebuilt (circuitry).
I experienced the shifting problem from the beginning with my 2004 LS430. Sometimes when I started up or sped up after slowing for a traffic light, the car suddenly went into gear. A number of years ago my dealer did some software update which made the problem almost disappear. Could I have the ECU problem many people are experiencing?
I experienced the shifting problem from the beginning with my 2004 LS430. Sometimes when I started up or sped up after slowing for a traffic light, the car suddenly went into gear. A number of years ago my dealer did some software update which made the problem almost disappear. Could I have the ECU problem many people are experiencing?
Don't know if OP's issue is the same as yours bc I'm pretty sure your car was eligible for the reflash that the dealers will do, which is a different issue.
Wow it actually worked, I’m so happy words can’t even describe. I was so close to just selling my Lexus and disappointed because I didn’t even reach 200k but sure enough I got my computer back and problem solved. Shifting is back to normal and smooth like always. So happy with SIA 5 stars all the way.
Wow it actually worked, I’m so happy words can’t even describe. I was so close to just selling my Lexus and disappointed because I didn’t even reach 200k but sure enough I got my computer back and problem solved. Shifting is back to normal and smooth like always. So happy with SIA 5 stars all the way.
This is how I felt, as well. I had already started going through the stages of grief, thinking it would require a new trans (cause that's what the dealer said). Really happy I did some digging and found SIA, 5 stars all day.
SIA rules, My 04 LS430 UL had the HARD downshift from 3rd to second and then second to 1st. Sent my ECU off to SIA and got it back a week later. Smooth as butter, better then I remember when I picked it up 5 years ago.
Puts a smile on my face every time I drive it now. Day three and still like new.
Thanks to the forum and members pointing this out for finding a repair that worked.
By the way, on their website its listed as $180 for the repair. On Ebay, its $135.
Now if I only knew what they did to fix it? Cold solders? replace caps?, reprogram? Who cares it works. No what did they do>
Glad to hear about SIA. I just had this same issue start about 2 weeks ago. The downshift from 3rd to 2nd is rough and 2nd to 1st is brutal. I had no warning lights at first - but then after a week the VSC and check engine light came on. I took to Lexus dealer and of course they went straight to "you need a new transmission for $6k".
I can't remove the ECU myself, is this something that any repair shop can do for the most part ? Would I be foolish to even broach the subject with the Lexus dealer ?
Last edited by SixSeven; Sep 28, 2020 at 04:21 PM.
I should of mentioned initially I had the VSC and check engine light and a hard downshift. I took it to my my local indie and he said I needed a PO756 shift B stuck off. He replaced it and it somehow was okay, but just okay. But then went right back into the hard downshift. Did I just spend a $1032 for nothing? Most here complain of just a hard shift without the the VSC and check engine light though. So may be I needed it too.
But for $135 and a week of your time, it is well worth it.
SO with that, removing the ECU is way super easy and takes less then 10 mins. But if your unable, find an indie to pull it and put back in once you get your ecu back from SIA. I'd do it for you if you lived in the Puyallup area.
Even my wife says the car drives different, way better, smooth.
Ok, that is what the dealer told me as well, that it was the solenoid B.
Glad to hear about removing the ECU - after looking at the photos - that doesn't look bad. Do you disconnect the battery first? (sorry, I know close to nothing about this stuff)
Yes, I agree - for the money, might as well try the $135 option.
So glad for this forum. Like the other comments, the thought of a $6k bill on a car that's worth $8-10k SUCKS!!
Originally Posted by Hagar
I should of mentioned initially I had the VSC and check engine light and a hard downshift. I took it to my my local indie and he said I needed a PO756 shift B stuck off. He replaced it and it somehow was okay, but just okay. But then went right back into the hard downshift. Did I just spend a $1032 for nothing? Most here complain of just a hard shift without the the VSC and check engine light though. So may be I needed it too.
But for $135 and a week of your time, it is well worth it.
SO with that, removing the ECU is way super easy and takes less then 10 mins. But if your unable, find an indie to pull it and put back in once you get your ecu back from SIA. I'd do it for you if you lived in the Puyallup area.
Even my wife says the car drives different, way better, smooth.
I didn't disconnect my battery, I just pulled the plastic cover (3 snap clips) and use a #10 socket with an extension, disconnect the wire clips and pull it out. Really easy, I promise.
Now I'll be interested if you manage to get yours fixed with out having to replace the B shift solenoid.
